ABOUT EXPANISH
Expanish is an award-winning Spanish language school and study abroad provider with locations in Barcelona, Madrid, and Málaga (Spain), as well as Buenos Aires (Argentina). For over 19 years, we have offered high-quality Spanish language programs and cultural experiences to students from around the world.
YOUR ROLE AT EXPANISH
Expanish is seeking a skilled and enthusiastic Study Abroad Program Director to lead our study abroad programs in Barcelona, with students enrolled directly at the Expanish Study Center. This role is responsible for ensuring a high-quality academic and cultural experience for primarily U.S. university students (ages 18–22) and managing and mentoring the on-site program team.
The Study Abroad Program Director will oversee all aspects of program delivery—from daily logistics and health & safety to staff supervision, student well-being, and cultural integration—creating a welcoming, organized, and enriching environment for both students and staff.
POSITION DETAILS
- Position Title: Study Abroad Program Director
- Location: Barcelona and Surroundings
- Hours: Full Time
- Contract Type: Indefinite
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
As Study Abroad Program Director, you will oversee the successful execution of all Expanish Study Abroad programs in Barcelona, including semester-long programs, summer terms, and faculty-led programs. You will manage a diverse team, ensure high-quality academic and cultural experiences, and maintain seamless program operations from start to finish.
Leadership & Team Management
- Lead and supervise the local program team, including onboarding, training, scheduling, and ongoing support for Program Onsite Coordinators and seasonal staff across all program types.
- Recruit, manage, and support faculty and staff in delivering the program (program coordinators, professors, leaders) while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing work environment.
- Adapt the operational structure to fit the growth of programs and student enrollment.
- Foster a strong team culture, offering mentorship and guidance to ensure seamless coordination between academic, student life, and operations functions.
- Provide strategic leadership across all study abroad formats—semester, summer, and faculty-led—ensuring all staff are aligned, empowered, and working toward shared goals.
Program Oversight & Academic Support
- Oversee the planning and execution of all study abroad programs at Expanish Barcelona, including academic quality, internships, housing, student services, excursions, and co-curricular programming.
- Collaborate with the academics and internships departments to ensure the academic experience is cohesive, experiential, and high-impact.
- Monitor and support students’ academic progress, coordinating with faculty and conducting regular check-ins to address concerns proactively.
- Continuously evaluate and refine program components, identifying opportunities for improvement in curriculum delivery, logistics, student engagement, and faculty collaboration.
Student Support & Well-being
- Serve as the primary point of accountability for student success throughout their time at Expanish Barcelona.
- Support students’ cultural adaptation, offering guidance on local customs, norms, transportation, safety, and daily life in Barcelona.
- Create and maintain an inclusive, welcoming environment, promoting Expanish’s DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) values across the student experience.
- Provide responsive support outside regular working hours, including evenings and weekends, particularly during high-priority situations or emergencies.
Health, Safety & Risk Management
- Implement and enforce health and safety protocols, ensuring full compliance with Expanish internal policies and local Spanish regulations.
- Act as the lead contact for emergency response, coordinating with Expanish’s global risk management team and partner universities as needed.
- Oversee student safety and well-being, managing incident resolution, and ensuring clear communication and procedures are in place at all times.
Community Engagement & Partnerships
- Develop and maintain relationships with local vendors and service providers, including housing, transportation, restaurants, and cultural partners, with oversight of contracts and service quality.
- Establish strategic partnerships with local organizations to integrate community-based learning and experiential education into program offerings.
- Host and support visiting faculty and institutional staff from U.S. partner institutions, offering local insight and program context.
- Represent Expanish in the broader Barcelona community, promoting the organization’s mission and enhancing its local visibility and impact.
Operational & Financial Management
- Oversee day-to-day center operations for all programs, including financial management, budgeting, vendor coordination, and regular reporting.
- Ensure compliance with Spanish laws, health and safety regulations, and Expanish internal policies across all areas of program delivery.
- Maintain efficient, transparent workflows, collaborating across departments to uphold operational excellence, consistency, and accountability.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Required Skills & Qualifications
- Passion for international education and a strong commitment to student success in cross-cultural environments
- Fluent in English and Spanish (Catalan is a plus)
- In-depth knowledge of Barcelona, including local culture, neighborhoods, and logistics
- Proven experience managing or supporting study abroad programs, preferably with U.S. university students
- Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills
- Strong organizational abilities, capable of managing multiple responsibilities and competing priorities
- Calm and solution-oriented approach to problem-solving, especially in challenging or ambiguous situations
- Tech-savvy, with comfort using communication, scheduling, and program management tools
- Enthusiastic, adaptable, and team-oriented, with a proactive and professional and growth mindset
- Legally authorized to work in Spain and possession of a valid passport (no visa sponsorship available)
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree or equivalent professional experience in international education, higher education, or a related field
- Background in international education, student services, or the educational travel industry
- Experience with co-curricular program development, experiential learning, or community-based programming
- Personal or professional international travel experience, especially in educational or youth-centered contexts
- Proficiency in additional languages is a plus
- Emergency First Aid & CPR-C certification is an asset
We look forward to meeting you! 🎉
