Associate Director of Custom Programs, High School Study Abroad

CIEE Inc• Remote, US,

6d•Remote

About The Position

CIEE is a non-profit study abroad and intercultural exchange organization that transforms lives and builds bridges between individuals and nations through study abroad and international exchange experiences that help people develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and multi-cultural world. The Associate Director of Custom Programs leads the strategy, growth, and delivery of CIEE's High School Custom Programs, faculty-led international trips designed in partnership with schools and CIEE's local teams around the world. This role is for someone who is equal parts sales strategist, program designer, people manager, and account leader, with a strong understanding of private schools and experiential education. The position involves managing two Custom Program Managers and personally stewarding key accounts, while also collaborating with the national sales team to drive growth and ensure program excellence. This role is fully remote, open to candidates anywhere in the U.S.

Requirements

4+ years of sales experience, including experience writing and executing a sales strategy or plan.
2+ years managing a team, with a track record of coaching individuals to meet goals and grow their skills.
Strong foundation in experiential education and place-based learning, with the ability to translate academic goals into program design.
Demonstrated understanding of private schools and how to design programs that fit their needs and culture.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Proficient with Microsoft products, Salesforce, and other CRM tools.
Willingness to travel for several domestic trips and one international trip per year to attend conferences, visit schools in person, join team trainings and events, and host one educator site visit.

Nice To Haves

Experience in international education, educational travel, or a related field.
Experience designing or leading student travel programs.
Experience living, studying, or working abroad.
Experience managing a geographically distributed, remote team.

Responsibilities

Own the Custom Programs growth strategy across three major levers of opportunity: retaining and expanding the breadth of programs with returning school partners, acquiring new school customers, and building longer, higher-value programs.
Monitor progress against goals and course-correct quickly when targets are at risk.
Bring a deep understanding of private schools, their decision-makers, academic priorities, and culture, to the design of programs that align with and appeal to their unique needs.
Apply a strong foundation in experiential education and place-based learning to shape best practices and standards that deliver academically aligned programs.
Represent CIEE and the Custom Programs line at industry conferences, association meetings, and CIEE-sponsored events.
Manage and develop two Custom Program Managers, each owning a territory and portfolio of schools across both the sales and operational lifecycle of their programs. Set clear expectations, provide consistent feedback, and support Custom Program Managers in meeting their sales and program goals.
Coach and train your team to strengthen their sales, program design, account management, and operational delivery skills.
Coach Custom Program Managers to work effectively with the national Sales team and sell in collaboration, not competing for the same relationships.
Delegate projects effectively across the team, provide feedback, and jump in directly to support when an account, a program, or a territory needs it.
Build a culture of accountability and high standards, recognizing strong work and addressing gaps directly.
Personally manage 2-3 of CIEE's top strategic Custom accounts, delivering best-in class customer service and program design from initial conversation through traveled program.
Lead by example, setting the standard of excellence your Custom Program Managers will model in their own portfolios.
Partner with the regional Sales team to bring new Custom customers into the pipeline. Design and lead Sales Manager trainings on identifying and advancing Custom opportunities.
Support Sales team relationships by joining calls, contributing to proposals, and providing expert advice on selling Custom in addition to existing business at the school.
Establish and own the standard operating procedures for the full Custom customer journey from lead to traveled program, refining the process as the program line grows.
Work closely with Sales Managers and Custom Program Managers to define clear roles, responsibilities, and handoffs across teams.
Oversee Custom Programs budgets and financial performance.
Serve as the final review and approval on Custom program MOUs.
Partner with the Executive Director on high-level strategy, budgeting, and future staffing as the program line scales.

Benefits

Paid time off and Parental leave
Gym Reimbursement Program
Employee Assistance Program
Short-term & Long-term Disability
6 floating Fridays
CIEE Study Abroad and TEFL Program discounts
403(b) Retirement Plan with employer contribution
Insurance Coverage (life, travel, medical, dental, and vision)
Flexible Spending Accounts/Health Savings Accounts (medical and dependent)
Voluntary Benefits (identity theft protection, pet insurance, accident, and critical illness)