Associate Director for Latin American & Caribbean Partnerships

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants .

POSITION SPECIFICS

Penn State Global seeks an Associate Director for Latin American & Caribbean (LAC) Partnerships to join our Global Partnerships team. The Associate Director serves as the point person to coordinate and promote engagement of Penn State faculty, staff, and students with existing and potential partners in LAC. Duties focus on utilizing existing collaboration processes within Penn State as well as creating new collaborative initiatives. Efforts should be grounded in Penn State Global's Strategic Plan. The position plays a key role in support of the University’s foundation of global engagement through efforts to establish a global network of partnerships that enables the University to pursue its mission worldwide.

Key duties include:

Manage and grow existing relationships with institutional-level partners in the LAC region

Serve as lead contact for faculty and staff interested in engagement with existing and potential institutional partners in LAC

Spur collaboration in teaching, research, and service that support partnership development in LAC through networking, workshops, grant identification, and other activities

Function as liaison and conduit for requests and ideas between the institutional partner and the Penn State community

Promote and facilitate joint research and education programs with LAC partners and Penn State counterparts

Establish and conduct regular communications with partner institutions

Work with counterparts at regional partners to conduct events such as workshops, webinars, and meetings at Penn State, at the partner-institution or at third-party locations

Coordinate logistical and administrative support for partner representatives visiting Penn State

Maintain records of partnership activities and expenditures and prepare reports for internal or external audiences

Coordinate with the marketing and communications departments on news items such as partnership updates, events, achievements, and other stories of interest

Provide written and visual content for websites, text reports, and other media

Some after-hours or weekend work may be necessary to fulfill these functions. Occasional U.S. domestic and international travel is required and presupposes experience traveling in the LAC region. Penn State Global values a diversity of perspectives and backgrounds as an essential component of our being relevant in a globally connected environment. Our goal is a collaborative, respectful, and mutually supportive workplace.

Required Competencies:

Applicants must have high levels of interpersonal skills such as written and verbal communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. Applicants must be digitally literate, including the use of personal software, management of remote meetings, and data visualization tools. Applicants must have a fundamental knowledge of international higher education. In addition to proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point, experience working with database software is advantageous.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in a relevant field and four or more years of relevant experience

Knowledge of Latin America and Caribbean higher education systems

Familiarity with one or more of the regional higher education systems

Working experience in international education or international research in LAC or with LAC institutions

Advanced project management experience

Spent a significant time in Latin America and the Caribbean for education or work

Regional language skill such as Spanish and/or Portuguese

Successful candidates will be able to thrive in an international, intercultural, and diverse environment. Applicants should be familiar with Penn State’s vision of global citizenship that involves using global and intercultural skills to enhance the well-being of the overall community. We encourage applicants to review Penn State’s Values (https://universityethics.psu.edu/penn-state-values). The nature of this position involves engaging with partners at University Park, other Penn State campuses, and across widespread areas and time zones. Therefore, partial remote work options and flexible work schedules will be considered.

Additional Information:

A complete application for this position must include a resume and cover letter. Review of applications will begin immediately, with an intended hire date of approximately September 1, 2026.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $68,200.00 - $102,300.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page .

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here .

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

Penn State Policies