Director, FIT in Florence

Director, FIT in Florence

The Director of FIT in Florence provides strategic leadership and high-level administrative oversight for all of FIT's academic initiatives in Florence, Italy. This pivotal leadership role is responsible for the operational excellence of year-long, semester-based, and short-term programs. As the primary representative of FIT to students, faculty, Polimoda, AACUPI and the City of Florence, the Director ensures the program's alignment with the college's mission of global excellence. Reporting directly to the Dean for International Education, the Director maintains a visible on-site presence at FIT's offices within Polimoda, championing a culture of academic rigor and student success. 

Essential Functions:

Strategic Operations & Program Management

• Serve as the primary liaison to the Office of International Programs in New York, ensuring seamless communication on operational, marketing, and strategic matters.
• Recruit, mentor, and supervise a high-performing support services team, including program coordinators and clerical staff.
• Collaborate with Polimoda leadership to implement comprehensive risk management protocols and emergency response plans.
• Direct the FIT in Florence budget, prioritizing programmatic investments in alignment with institutional policy and fiscal objectives.
• Provide comprehensive financial and operational reporting to the Dean for International Education and the Provost.
• Partner with senior leadership to identify and develop expansion opportunities for FIT's footprint in Florence.

Academic Leadership & Excellence

• Oversee curriculum delivery, academic advising, and registration processes in close coordination with home-campus departments, the Academic Advisement Center and the Registrar.
• Manage local faculty recruitment, scheduling, and performance evaluations in consultation with FIT Deans and Department Chairs.
• Optimize class schedules and resource allocation in partnership with Polimoda.
• Drive continuous improvement through regular student and academic program assessments based on institutional protocols.
• Curate showcases and activities that highlight and celebrate student achievement.

Student Development & Global Engagement

• Lead recruitment efforts and facilitate comprehensive pre-departure orientations both virtually and in New York.
• Design and deliver impactful on-site orientations that transition students into the Italian academic and social landscape.
• Offer a robust calendar of cultural, industry, student association (FITSA) events, and overnight excursions to enhance the study abroad experience.
• Manage student welfare services, safety and security, and ensure high standards for physical and mental well-being.
• Manage and serve on a rotational 24/7 emergency on-call duty schedule for student/faculty crises (medical, mental health, safety, or legal issues abroad).
• Encourage student storytelling and engagement through digital platforms.
• Maintain consistent accessibility to students, serving as a mentor and primary point of contact for the Florence community.
• Uphold institutional standards of conduct, working with the FIT Dean of Students to ensure compliance with FIT's Student Handbook and with Polimoda to uphold local Polimoda regulations.
• Report incidents to the Dean for International Education or the Title IX Coordinator as appropriate, and serve as the Campus Security Authority, promptly providing FIT's Department of Public Safety with Clery Act reporting.

Institutional Partnerships

• Serve as FIT's liaison with Polimoda, fostering a collaborative environment that advances the objectives of both institutions.
• Nurture strategic relations with local civic, cultural, and academic partners in Florence.
• Champion FIT within Florence's international education community and with municipal stakeholders. 
• The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position; other duties may be assigned consistent with the classification of the position.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Work authorization for Italy.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership in international education, with specialized experience in supporting American students through intercultural transitions.
• Fluency in Italian and English.
• Master's degree in a relevant field.
• Deep knowledge of Italy, its culture, and society, developed through residence and academic study. 
• Active professional standing in the international education field (e.g., NAFSA, The Forum on Education Abroad), with demonstrated mastery of the Standards of Good Practice.
• Expertise in intercultural management and a proven track record of leading high-performing, diverse teams. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in fashion or creative industries. 

Additional Information:

Please note all offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of the background check process.

Salary

Salary: $110,000 - $125,000 per year; commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Work Schedule

Days/Hours: M-F  with occasional evening and weekend commitments, 37.5 hours per week, in person; work schedule subject to change based on needs of the department.

Benefits

Our programs also include a variety of components, consistent with Italian requirements, to help our employees improve the quality and balance of their work and family lives, and to help them prepare for their futures.