Job Description
Job DescriptionDescription:
This position is hired in Spain by Italica Academy Spain, S.L., the partner organization of CET Academic Programs (CET) and Academic Travel Abroad, Inc. (ATA). Established in 2024, Italica Academy Spain specializes in operating educational programs in Spain. Salary and benefits for this position will be outlined in the contract with Italica Academy Spain. Salary will be commensurate with experience.
Department: Programs
Status: Full-time
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Supervisor: Director of Italy and Spain Programs
Anticipated Start Date: November 1st, 2025
Salary: €80,000 - €90,000
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Description of the Position
The Academic Director (AD) is responsible for the academic excellence of the CET Barcelona program, articulating a clear vision and academic identity, ensuring the delivery of a robust, well-designed curriculum, upholding the highest standards in teaching, learning, and pedagogy, and positioning CET at the forefront of the field. The AD is also responsible for ensuring smooth academic administration: adhering to all CET policies and processes, maintaining strong relationships with faculty, staff and local university partners, and CET headquarters. The AD teaches courses on a regular basis and may manage academic staff.
CET Barcelona is a new program and as such, the work pace and environment will be fast-paced, dynamic, and highly collaborative. All team members are expected to support one another and remain open and flexible to pivoting as priorities shift.
Attributes of the ideal Academic Director candidate are organization, project management, flexibility, dedication, and enthusiasm for working with students and for the field of study abroad.
What you’ll do…
Academic Director responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
Curriculum Development & Implementation, Academic Affairs Policies and Procedures
- Demonstrate innovation and leadership in pedagogy, faculty training and development, and student learning and research
- Demonstrate creativity and intentionality in curricular design and delivery, in particular with regard to developing critical thinking as a pedagogical tool, with emphasis on issues of difference, power and equity as they relate both to the host context and to knowledge production within the program.
- Effectively leverage the host context in the delivery of academic content and support faculty implementation of experiential learning and field study course components.
- Create and regularly update syllabi and other teaching materials
- Adhere closely to CET policies and procedures
- Arrange course schedules (class hours and classroom assignments) for all programs each term
- Review student course evaluations and provide regular feedback to faculty
- Manage add/drop, course withdrawal, attendance tracking, grading, and assignments
- Teach courses as needed, according to area of expertise
- Develop and implement specific curricula for custom programs as needed
- Support the DC-based Custom Programs Team in considering new partnerships, reviewing proposals, and developing enrolled Spain-based custom programs distinct from the standard CET Barcelona programs
Managing Faculty and Academic Staff
- Recruit, onboard, and train instructors regarding CET policies and procedures
- Maintain high visibility and accessibility to faculty through regular office hours and communication
- Supervise and evaluate teaching through regular class visits, creatively addressing day-to-day issues that might arise
- Design and lead workshops, meetings, and professional development activities for faculty
- Recruit, onboard, train, and manage academic staff if applicable
Student Advising and Support
- Conduct academic orientation and serve as on-going resource for student questions relating to academics
- Maintain high level of visibility and accessibility to students, via regular office hours, communication, and a welcoming demeanor
- Assist students in addressing any academic challenges they might be facing
- Ensure efficient and effective systems for student placement, assessment, and academic success
- Implement academic accommodations where required
- Carry 24/7 emergency phone in rotation with other staff, support student incident response and management
Liaising with Partners
- Actively seek and develop new local partnerships that might support CET curricular and strategic goals
- Effectively represent CET to custom program faculty and/or US partner study abroad staff who might be visiting the program
- When possible, represent CET at meetings of the Spanish studies/language and/or study abroad field
Collaborating with Student Life
- Collaborate closely with Student Life staff on student issues that might be both academic and personal
- Maintain close working relationship through regular office hours, weekly meetings, and effective written and verbal communication
- Advise on and support extra-curricular activities as needed
Communicating with Headquarters
- Maintain close communication with headquarters regarding any student, partner, or staff issues that arise
- Contribute to communications and conversations in the Academic Affairs Space
- Offer effective responses to issues identified in course and program evaluations
- Maintain updated database of course syllabi
- Write a thoughtful final report each term, identifying challenges and suggesting solutions
We’re looking for…
- An earned doctorate degree (PhD, EdD, DPhil, or equivalent)
- Unrestricted European Union or Spanish work authorization
- Advanced proficiency in Spanish and English, proficiency in Catalan preferred but not required
- Experience living, working, and/or studying in Spain, preferably in Barcelona
- Experience teaching, advising, and mentoring US undergraduates
- Experience coaching and mentoring faculty
- Comfort with using multiple technology platforms. Experience with Canvas or similar LMS preferred.
- Experience with Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams)
- Experience with Salesforce or other CRM platform preferred
- Experience with project and office management a plus
- Cultural sensitivity and a commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and global education.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills
- Excellent time management skills and ability to manage conflicting priorities
- Ability to establish and maintain positive professional relationships and communicate effectively with colleagues, students, and staff
- Ability to take initiative and use good judgement when solving problems
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as a team
- Willingness to wear different hats and occasionally work irregular hours
- Sensitivity to student needs and cultural differences
- Patience, flexibility, positive attitude, and a sense of humor
To Apply
Please attach your resume and a cover letter to our application form. Applications missing any of these components will not be considered. The successful completion of a background check, including three professional/academic references, is required for this position.
Application deadline: We encourage applicants to send their materials as soon as possible and before our priority deadline on August 25th, 2025.
To all recruitment agencies, ATA does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs, ATA employees or any other company location. ATA is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
An Equal Opportunity Workplace
We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, Veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Description of the Organization
CET Academic Programs is a study abroad organization that has been developing and operating innovative educational programs abroad since 1982. Originally “China Educational Tours,” CET began operations in Beijing, later expanding to other locations around the world.
Requirements: