NYU is committed to providing a campus community that reflects and enacts the values of inclusion, diversity, belonging, and equity that inform academic excellence. NYU Madrid is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity, and social inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from all interested persons including without limitation under-represented individuals in the profession, across religions, color, creed, race, ethnic and national origin, physical ability, and gender and sexual identity. NYU Madrid affirms the value of differing perspectives on the world as we strive to build the strongest possible university with the widest reach.

The Director of NYU Madrid is a full-time senior leadership position based in Madrid, Spain reporting to and working closely with the Vice Chancellor and Vice Provost for Global Programs on strategic planning, as well as with  the Vice President for Global Programs on the day-to-day management of NYU Madrid. This is a full-time administrative role best suited to someone with a strong academic background. In collaboration with NYU leadership in NY, the Director will be setting and executing NYU’s strategic long-term planning for NYU Madrid.  This position is expected to maintain a physical presence at the NYU Madrid academic center. 

A key focus of the position is ensuring excellence in our academic programs in a manner consistent with NYU’s leadership in international higher education. The site hosts a first-year study away program, short-term and graduate programs, a provostial research center and  undergraduate courses across the curriculum,  including the Arts, Humanities, Spanish Language, Social Sciences, Business, and  experiential learning. It is anticipated that the Director will remain appropriately academically active throughout their appointment in this role.  This can include teaching classes, conducting research and/or writing for scholarly publications within their field of study.

Academic, Student Life, and Administration all report to the Director,  who oversees all operations at NYU Madrid. The Director’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to: oversight of NYU Madrid’s academic mission and its implementation, including critical relationships with academic partners and the Madrid Site Specific Advisory Committee (SSAC); responsibility for NYU students in Madrid in all respects, including academic performance, cultural immersion, co-curricular, safety, health, wellness, and behavioral matters; ensuring local compliance with the regulatory environment; facilities management; government and community relations; and crisis response.  In addition, the Director is  expected to establish and maintain strong community engagement in and around Madrid and in Spain, with key academic institutions and businesses in support of  our established strategic mission.  The Director will collaborate with leadership in NY on the promotion of NYU activities,  including alumni events and fundraising in support of NYU Madrid and NYU. As the key administrator for NYU Madrid, the Director will embrace University Initiatives that include Diversity, Affordability, Entrepreneurship, Research, Leadership, Sustainability, and Student Success, ensuring that the NYU Madrid team is actively advancing these initiatives (https://www.nyu.edu/about/university-initiatives.html).

Please be advised that the application deadline for this role is November 1st, and the selected candidate is expected to begin in Summer 2025

Principal Duties

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP: The Director is responsible for providing strategic leadership for NYU Madrid, which includes: leading strategic planning for the site to ensure that the objectives (academic, student life, and administrative) are aligned with the university’s mission and objectives; and ensuring conformity with University goals and objectives and U.S. higher education best practices. The Director will  advance a plan for NYU Madrid that includes space planning, staff/lecturers, and students. The Director will coordinate with all site operations for a successful implementation of established strategies including new academic program development and implementation, staff and faculty management, planning, fiscal management, space management, local relationship building and developing approaches to enhance the quality of programs, service, and communication. In addition, the Director will work with NYU Office of Global Programs and other central offices to ensure compliance protocols and expectations.     30%

OPERATIONS OVERSIGHT AND SUPERVISION: The Director will advance NYU Madrid's academic strategies including faculty recruitment, faculty development, curriculum development, course selection, and maintenance of strong relationships with heads of academic departments at the degree-granting campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai. A key focus of the position is to ensure the effective delivery of excellence in our academic programs in a manner  consistent with NYU’s leadership in international higher education. The program’s strengths include a first year away program, undergraduate courses across the curriculum including the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Business, experiential learning opportunities, short-term and graduate programs, and a provostial research center.The Director oversees all other operations at NYU Madrid, with direct reports from: Academic Operations, Student Life, and Administration (including finance and budget planning, human resources, IT, space management, and facilities). The Director will develop and supervise administrative/professional staff; make recommendations for hiring, salary adjustments, and any other personnel issues in conjunction with Human Resources and the Office of Global Programs (OGP).  The Director will also partner with team leadership and Global HR to enhance the employee experience. In addition, the Director will recommend and implement changes and monitor effectiveness through follow-up and review. 30%

UNIVERSITY INITIATIVES: As the key administrator for NYU Madrid, the Director’s responsibilities include embracing NYU’s University Initiatives (https://www.nyu.edu/about/university-initiatives.html) which include Diversity, Affordability, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Sustainability, and Student Success, and ensuring that the NYU Madrid team is actively advancing these initiatives. Maintain a DEI vision and short/long-term objectives for NYU Madrid in line with OGP modeling. Other duties include: conducting needs assessment; strengthening collaboration with community partners and relevant university offices; establishing policies and procedures that encourage best practices; delivering training to faculty, staff and students. The Director will also collaborate with senior leadership at the Office of Global Programs to ensure the implementation and maintenance of a DEI strategy, and will also ensure appropriate recruitment practices. 10%

COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIP: The Director will maintain relationships and partnerships with local universities, vendors, and other community resources to ensure NYU Madrid is engaged within the community in line with NYU’s overall mission. 10%

CRISIS RESPONSE:  The Director oversees NYU Madrid’s response to the crisis, coordinating with appropriate local agencies, and offices in NY.  This may include the need to be in direct contact with parents and local officials as needed. 10%

OTHER DUTIES: The Director will collaborate with leadership in NY on the promotion of NYU activities including alumni events and fundraising in support of NYU Madrid and NYU. Other duties as assigned. 10%

Position Qualifications

Required Education

- PhD or terminal degree

Required Certification/Other Qualifications Required Experience

- a minimum of 10 years related work experience 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

- A track record of exceptional senior organizational/operational leadership experience in an academic higher education setting

- Experience in driving academic program development and improvements

- Experience in managing, developing, and improving operational processes within a business and academic environment

- Experience in leading on successful projects and initiatives including change management

- An understanding that NYU Madrid is a study away academic center that requires a unique leadership approach

- Experience in overseeing and championing efforts to create welcoming and inclusive initiatives

- Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage and lead faculty, staff and students from all levels and perspectives

Preferred Experience

- Extensive work in a university setting, preferably as a scholar.  Proven administrative and supervisory experience at a director level for at least 3 years. Experience in program development and expansion.

NYU is committed to providing a campus community that reflects and enacts the values of inclusion, diversity, belonging, and equity that inform academic excellence.

NYU aims to be among the greenest urban campuses in the country and carbon neutral by 2040. Learn more at nyu.edu/nyugreen.