Director , Webster University

Webster University, a private, nonprofit university with its home campus in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A., seeks an experienced, dynamic, and collaborative leader to serve as director of its Geneva, Switzerland campus. Nominations and applications are invited.  

Founded in 1915, Webster University is the only Tier 1, private, nonprofit university with campus locations around the world. Webster University – Geneva opened in 1978 and became the model for establishing additional U.S.-style campuses in Leiden, the Netherlands; Vienna, Austria; London, United Kingdom; and Cha-am/Hua Hin, Thailand. A new location in Accra, Ghana, has received accreditation by the Ghana Ministry of Education; approval by the U.S.-based Higher Learning Commission is pending. Seewww.webster.edu for information on Webster University. 

Webster University – Geneva is home to approximately 500 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 90 countries and host to several dozen study abroad students each term. Undergraduate students choose from 12 majors from Webster University’s colleges/schools of arts and sciences, business, and communications. Undergraduate certificates are also offered, in subjects such as International Human Rights, Refugee Studies, Photojournalism, and Documentary Production. The Webster Scholars Program provides challenging curriculum for gifted students. Graduate offerings include programs in business, human resources management, management and leadership, counseling, international relations, international nongovernmental organizations, and media communications. See www.webster.ch for information on Webster University – Geneva.   

Webster University – Geneva is home of the renowned International Humanitarian Conference, now in its 18^th year. Students play a role in planning and organizing conferences and events. Each year, the campus also hosts students in Webster University’s Global Programs in International Relations and International Nongovernmental Organizations as well as study abroad students from other Webster University campuses and WINS (Webster International Network School) affiliates.      

The director of Webster University – Geneva serves as the senior executive officer of the Geneva campus, providing overall leadership and strategic direction aligned with the university’s mission and vision and the directives of the Office of the Provost, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Director of International Programs, the director of Webster University – Geneva is responsible for enrollment enhancement, fiscal management, administration, personnel, facilities, planning, services, and activities for the Geneva campus.

Webster University – Geneva is poised for growth and excellence, and the director will play a vital role in leading the campus to grow enrollment and reach the next level of academic and operational excellence. He/she will develop and foster relationships with the business, government, and not-for-profit communities to enhance recognition of Webster University, its students and programs. He/she will work with internal and external constituencies, interacting with faculty, staff, students, and alumni, to champion the institution’s mission to transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence. The director will collaborate and work closely with Webster University’s other international campus directors, the deans of Webster University’s five colleges and schools, senior staff of the Office of the Provost, and the leadership of the offices of Global Marketing & Communications, Information Technology, and Alumni & Development.   

The director will possess the following professional and personal attributes:

• Terminal degree (e.g., Ph.D., Ed.D., J.D.); master’s degree with significant experience and proven organizational leadership will be considered
• Demonstrated leadership, administrative and management track record in an international organization
• Knowledge of and experience in European, U.S. and/or Swiss academic leadership and administration is desirable; familiarity with or willingness to become familiar with shared governance, accreditation processes, and higher education law and policy
• Commitment to high quality, innovative, U.S.-style student-centered learning and to providing students with transformative education for individual excellence and global citizenship
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion and demonstrated ability to work successfully in a diverse, multi-cultural, complex international organization
• Excellent communication skills; ability to work with a variety of internal and external constituencies
• Fluency in French and English; mastery of German a plus

Applicants must possess or be able to obtain employment credentials required to work in Switzerland.

Applications and Nominations:  Applicants should send 1) a letter of interest which addresses the required qualifications; 2) an expanded résumé or curriculum vitae; and 3) names of three professional references to Geneva Director Search,jobs@webster.edu or Geneva Director Search, Office of Human Resources, Webster University, 470 East Lockwood Ave., St. Louis, Missouri, 63119-3194, U.S.A. Nominations may be sent to the same addresses.   

Review of applications will begin October 28, 2013 and will continue until the position is filled.

Starting Date:  June 2014 or as mutually agreed.

Webster University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action educator and employer. We are committed to maintaining a culturally and academically diverse faculty and staff of the highest caliber. We strongly encourage applications from those who identify as diverse in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, and/or veteran status.