Director of the Liza and Jack Lewis Center of the Americas

Position Details

Position Information

Position Title Director of the Liza and Jack Lewis Center of the Americas

UIW Mission

University of the Incarnate Word is a Catholic institution that welcomes to its community persons of diverse backgrounds, in the belief that their respectful interaction advances the discovery of truth, mutual understanding, self-realization, and the common good.

Position Summary

The Director of the Liza and Jack Lewis Center of the Americas is responsible for oversight of all center activities with the goal of promoting and sustaining the University of the Incarnate Word’s (UIWs) objectives of social justice and education in the Western Hemisphere and respond to emerging needs and opportunities in the field. Position reports to the Vice President for International Affairs.

The Liza and Jack Lewis Center of the Americas was established to promote better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Mexico, Canada, Central and South America through cooperative study, research, service and dialogue. The Center serves as a central resource for information and analysis on critical issues of common concern, bringing people together to exchange views, build expertise, expand business opportunities, and develop policy options.

Benefits

UIW has been identified year after year as one of the nation’s Great Colleges to Work For based on employee feedback. UIW offers an outstanding benefits package for full-time employees that includes medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, numerous paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. Tuition benefits include UIW tuition waivers, tuition exchange programs and Brainpower Connection discounts for employees and dependents. Retirement benefits include 403b retirement plans with a 7% employer match, plus a retirement health solution. We also offer employer-paid Life/AD&D, long-term disability, pet insurance, an Employee Assistance Program ( EAP ), wellness programs, employee discount program, Public Service Loan Forgiveness ( PSLF ) eligibility and more! Please refer to the Human Resources webpage for additional details on our benefits and eligibility.

Job Duties

Job Duty Name Administration

Description Of Job Duties

• Serve as the visible, public face of the organization by representing the Center domestically and internationally and conducting forums, roundtables, and other events;
• Implement day-to-day activities, provide oversight, and active supervision of the Center’s events to ensure successful promotion the program;
• Collaborate with UIW Development Office to identify philanthropic donations, foundation grants, and other sources;
• Work closely with UIW executive directors to identify new opportunities for the Center that will further its mission;
• Provide service to and expand the Center’s current network of member corporations and institutions;
• Seek ways in which the Center can extend its influence through collaborations with the Mexico Campuses, sister universities, CCVI ministries, other entities within the University, and multilateral development, financial, and nonprofit organizations;
• Advance the UIW international relations in Canada, Central and South America, and strengthen the relationships between the UIW campuses in Mexico and San Antonio;
• Create and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to implement academic and service-Learning initiatives and activities;
• Work with the Vice-President for International Affairs to manage the budget for the Center;
• Work with the OCM and other UIW teams and resources to develop the Center’s website and social media presence;
• Work and supervise student employees for the Center.
  
  

Job Duty Name Leadership

Description Of Job Duties

• Provide Center leadership in accordance with UIW’s mission, maintaining a personal presence, confidence, communications, and compelling vision that inspires others;
• Represent UIW on non- UIW committees, as opportunity allows and as called upon by the Vice-President for International Affairs;
• Serve on the Board of Directors for one or both of UIW’s campuses in Mexico, as called upon by UIW’s Vice-President for International Affairs and President;
• Supervise and provide strategic leadership the Center for Medical Tourism Research and the CMTR’s director;
• Work with the Dean of the College of Humanities to supervise and direct the work of UIW’s Ambassador in Residence;
• Assist in oversight of the work of International Affairs consultants.
  
  

Job Duty Name Other Duties

Description Of Job Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Spanish proficiency, both orally and written;
• Ability to travel within San Antonio area, Texas, Canada, Latin America and other global areas, as needed;
• Strong skills in future strategic thinking with both a global grasp of Western Hemisphere issues and the practical knowledge necessary to implement and execute effective programs;
• Ability to exercise independent thinking, carefully evaluating risk-taking, tenacity, and follow-through to achieve the Center’s objectives;
• Strong skills in fundraising; ability to identify unique expansion opportunities;
• Ability to network with or gain access to, key international/Inter-American decision makers at the highest levels;
• Strong public speaking and writing skills, including communicating concepts and ideas effectively and persuasively to a wide range of constituents;
• Personal diplomacy and multicultural understanding necessary to operate successfully with a broad variety of individuals from myriad backgrounds and cultures;
• Strong business sense, financial acumen, and skilled in directing the development and implementation of strategic plans, budgets, and administrative policies and procedures;
• Posses a macro view of the global political and industries with the understanding of the importance of implementing micro activities necessary accomplish the day-to-day duties required to achieve the center’s goals;
• Strong skills in handling complex projects and working independently to follow them through to completion;
• Strong leadership skills with focus on serving their community and immediate team members;
• Knowledge of current health, safety, and security issues, as they affect students abroad, specifically in the Americas;
• Knowledge of matters such as education and health, energy, biotech, life sciences, environment, technology, natural resources and professional service institutions to be conversant with infrastructure and integration issues;
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures;
• Employee shall adhere to all applicable rules and regulations of the University, the Conference, and the NCAA .
  
  

Required Education

Master’s Degree.

Required Work Experience

• Eight (8) years of progressive professional leadership working in centers/institutes/organizations with a focus on international or Western Hemisphere matters to include developing and working with networks of private sector executives, public officials, academics, and others who deal with North American and Latin American issues;
• Three (3) years of professional supervisory experience;
• Two (2) years of experience leading or guiding organizations through change in response to evolving environments;
• Two (2) years living and/or working internationally and/or comparable experience.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D in a related field (i.e., International Relations, Education, International Business, Management);
• Proven success in establishing partnerships with academic and private institutions;
• Familiarity with regional and national health and education in Mexico and the U.S.;
• Excellent skills in Spanish language;
• Strong data management skills and experience with study abroad application and database systems.
  
  

Required Certifications, Licenses Or Registrations

• Must have a valid drivers license, driving record that is insurable by UIW insurance carrier, and be at least 21 years of age, as required to drive for UIW .
• Valid passport and full COVID vaccination per CDC guidance for international travel.
  
  

Work Hours

Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm with extended hours as needed to meet departmental goals which will include some evenings and weekend hours.

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift up to 15 lbs of marketing materials;
• Ability to actively engage in events for extended periods of time;
• Ability to regularly move about campus and event venues to actively engage potential and current students, as well as attend meetings on and off campus;
• Ability to move about airports and associated areas during air travel.
  
  

Posting Details

Posting Details

Posting Number AS2111PO

Number of Vacancies 1

Job Type Full Time

Job Category Administrator (exempt)

Desired Start Date 06/02/2025

Position End Date (if temporary)

Reports to Vice-President, International Affairs

Salary $ 100,000 to $107,000 Annualized

Open Date 02/10/2025

Close Date 02/15/2025

Open Until Filled No

Special Instructions to Applicant

N/A.

EOE

UIW is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment, without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity or expression, veteran status, pregnancy, and religion (except in limited circumstances when religious preference is both permitted by law and deemed appropriate as a matter of University policy).

Title IX

This position is considered a “Responsible Employee” under Title IX federal regulations and “Mandatory Reporter” under Texas state law and the UIW Sexual Misconduct Policy. As a Mandatory Reporter, this position requires you as the employee to promptly report any incident that you witness or receive information about Title IX violations. These reporting responsibilities are set out in the UIW Sexual Misconduct Policy.