About this role

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Team Management

· Lead, coach, and supervise a team of five program staff responsible for Intern, Trainee, and Teacher program operations.

· Establish team priorities, performance goals, and accountability measures aligned with organizational objectives.

· Provide ongoing training, mentoring, and professional development to ensure high performance and regulatory competency.

· Monitor workloads and allocate resources to ensure timely and accurate processing of program activities.

· Foster a collaborative, service-oriented team culture focused on continuous improvement and participant satisfaction.

Exchange Program Operations (ARO Duties)

· Serve as Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) in accordance with Department of State regulations.

· Oversee the end-to-end intake and vetting process for exchange visitor applications, ensuring eligibility, completeness, and compliance.

· Review and approve program documentation, including DS-2019 issuance readiness, training plans (DS-7002), and supporting materials.

· Ensure adherence to sponsor obligations, including participant orientation, monitoring, and program oversight.

· Maintain accurate participant records in SEVIS and internal systems in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

· Ensure full compliance with all federal regulations governing J-1 Intern, Trainee, and Teacher programs.

· Monitor program activities to ensure adherence to health, safety, welfare, and programmatic requirements.

· Identify compliance risks and implement corrective actions proactively.

· Support internal and external audits, site visits, and Department of State reviews.

· Maintain current knowledge of regulatory updates and integrate changes into program policies and procedures.

Participant Support & Stakeholder Engagement

· Oversee participant support processes, ensuring timely and effective issue resolution throughout the program lifecycle.

· Serve as an escalation point for complex participant, host organization, or partner issues.

· Collaborate with host organizations, partners, and stakeholders to ensure program quality and compliance.

· Ensure clear communication of program rules, expectations, and responsibilities to all stakeholders.

Programmatic Reporting & Data Management

· Develop and deliver regular programmatic reports on program performance, compliance, and participant outcomes.

· Track key metrics related to intake, processing timelines, participant demographics, and program success.

· Analyze data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for program improvement.

· Ensure accurate and timely submission of required regulatory and organizational reports.

Process Improvement & Strategic Initiatives

· Evaluate existing program processes and identify efficiencies, automation opportunities, and quality improvements.

· Lead initiatives to enhance participant experience and operational effectiveness.

· Contribute to strategic planning and program growth initiatives.

· Develop and document standard operating procedures to ensure consistency and scalability.

Qualifications

Required

· Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs, Public Administration, Education, or related field.

· 7+ years of experience managing J-1 exchange programs or similar regulated programs.

· Experience serving as or working closely with a Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO).

· Demonstrated experience leading and managing teams.

· Strong knowledge of Department of State regulations for Intern, Trainee, and Teacher programs.

· Experience with SEVIS and exchange program compliance requirements.

Preferred:

· Master’s degree in a related field.

· Experience overseeing multi-program portfolios within J-1 exchange visitor programs.

· Background in program evaluation, data analysis, or reporting.

Key Competencies

· Leadership and team development

· Regulatory compliance and risk management

· Program operations and process management

· Analytical thinking and data-driven decision-making

· Communication and stakeholder engagement

· Problem-solving and escalation management

· Attention to detail and organizational skills