Summer Academic Director, Italy

Summer Academic Director, Italy – World Learning Location: Bologna, Italy Reports To: Assistant Provost for Faculty Development and Academic Affairs Anticipated Start Date: April 1, 2026 (4–5 month term) Salary Range: €11,000–12,000 (gross) Application Deadline: January 30, 2026 (rolling review, open until filled) Apply: Submit a letter of interest and CV (with three professional references) via https://worldlearning.applicantpro.com/jobs/ School for International Training (SIT) is seeking a summer academic director in Italy focusing on food studies, sustainability, Italian studies, or related disciplines. SIT is an accredited US higher‑education institution and a global leader in experiential education, offering undergraduate and graduate programs focused on critical global issues. Its immersive learning model connects students with local communities, fostering intercultural understanding and social justice. Applicants are encouraged to explore the program webpage: Summer 2026: Italy: Food Cultures and Sustainability – SIT Study Abroad (www.sit.edu/itn). Learn about SIT mission and values here: https://www.worldlearninginc.org/about-us/mission-and-values/. Position Description The Academic Director (AD) leads SIT Italy’s Bologna‑based program, overseeing academic quality, operations, and student services. The AD will manage the summer Food Cultures and Sustainability program, ensuring alignment with SIT’s mission of academic excellence and community engagement. For compliance with local labor and employment laws, and when circumstance warrants, the center director will have a local employment contract through an affiliated local entity or as determined by SIT. Responsibilities The academic director is responsible for the design, planning, delivery, and supervision of the academic program offered by SIT at its assigned location in consultation and support of SIT departments including the Office of the Provost & Dean of Faculty, Global Operations, Human Resources, and Office of Student Health, Safety, and Well‑being. Overall responsibilities include: Ensuring academic excellence of the program in line with SIT’s academic policies. Creating a welcoming & safe learning environment for students, staff, and local faculty. Managing the program site and supervising local staff, planning and overseeing the budget, and providing financial reporting. Representing SIT at the program location and developing and maintaining positive relationships with SIT and local partners. The academic director must remain current in their areas of expertise and be familiar with in‑country issues and practices in higher education. Academic directors are expected to be active members of the SIT community, giving service to the institution, and acting as a thought leader in institutional initiatives. Key Responsibilities Academic Management General management and oversight of program delivery of the undergraduate program in collaboration with SIT Office of the Provost & Dean of Faculty, Office of Global Operations, and Office of Student Health, Safety, and Well‑being. Teaching one three‑credit course or equivalent, serving as faculty of record for the other courses, hiring guest lecturers, advising students on their Independent Study Projects, and, when applicable, working with the internship coordinator to ensure the highest quality experience for the students. Curriculum development and academic oversight in consultation and support from the Office of the Provost & Dean of Faculty and in accordance with SIT policies. Advising in matters regarding academic program delivery and scheduling. Designing and delivering the students’ on‑site cross‑cultural orientation and teaching components of the thematic and project‑based courses, in their areas of expertise, as appropriate. Designing and coordinating an experiential educational experience including in‑ and out‑of‑classroom activities. Facilitating the linkages between and among each of these various components and program excursions. Generally guiding and advising students in both their cross‑cultural learning processes and academic experiences including the Independent Study Project and, when applicable, internship, thus serving as an educator/teacher in the broadest sense by assisting students to draw substantive connections from among different aspects of the experience. Conducting the program review and academic evaluation at the end of the program and incorporating feedback to enhance program academic quality. Serving as a thought leader by maintaining an active agenda of research and knowledge production and publication in peer‑reviewed journals. Program & Operations Management Managing program administration and operations in compliance with local laws and regulations and in consultation with and support from SIT’s Office of Global Operations. Serve as in‑country entity representative for compliance purposes as required. Negotiating cost‑effective program services and managing the program budget. Collaborating with the World Learning Human Resources, Legal Counsel, and Office of the Provost & Dean of Faculty in recruitment and termination decisions regarding program support staff. Supervising local program staff, including mentoring, training, and regular performance evaluations. Maintaining regular communication including submitting detailed and timely reports to various departments, including Human Resources, Office of Global Operations, and Office of the Provost & Dean of Faculty. Serving as a liaison between SIT students and local national and program partners. Supporting the Office of Global Operations in negotiating and maintaining updated agreements with local partner organizations as needed. Participating, when requested, in the writing and editing of program materials, advertising materials, catalog copy, country information. Participating in SIT training and faculty workshops as required. Student Health and Safety and Well‑Being Playing a critical role in providing and connecting students to relevant support services locally and in collaboration with SIT Office of Student Health, Safety, and Well‑being. Providing an welcoming learning and teaching environment for all students. Serving as point person for students on medical, personal, and security concerns in collaboration with SIT’s Office of Student Health, Safety, and Well‑being and local staff. Providing care to the students and, in consultation with SIT Office of Student Health, Safety, and Well‑being, directing them to appropriate resources for emotional and mental health support; Maintaining up‑to‑date program contingency plans, based on current and reliable information concerning health and safety risks of the local environment. Communicating emergency procedures and protocols to student participants, program staff, and homestay families. Providing culturally appropriate strategies and advice to maximize safety and well‑being. Serving on periodic SIT task forces or learning communities in collaboration with other faculty. Other duties as assigned. The nature of the academic director job is such that they may be called upon during irregular hours to deal with emergencies. Responding to urgent program or student needs off‑hours is a regular part of the duties of an academic director. For the duration of the program the academic director is to remain in‑country and physically at the program site or with the student group and will be reachable by mobile phone on an emergency basis. SIT programs are situated in urban as well as remote locations where accommodations may be rudimentary, and accessibility limited. Some aspects of the program may require physical exertion such as, but not limited to, occasionally driving, walking, as well as remaining stationary for long periods. Depending on the theme of the program there may be excursions in rugged terrain which may require, but are not limited to, activities such as hiking, climbing and/or water‑based sports. Required Experience / Education Terminal degree (PhD, MFA, or equivalent) in Food Studies, Environmental Studies, Sustainability, Italian Studies, or a discipline related to the program theme. Academic and practical knowledge of Italy. Advanced proficiency in English and Italian writing and speaking. Legal right to work and reside in the location where this position is offered. Required Skills Effective communication skills. Computer literacy. Excellent intercultural skills to communicate effectively with students, host communities, and program partners. Required Competencies SIT faculty must be attuned to the educational philosophy and expectations of SIT and possess both commitment to academic excellence and the personal leadership qualities required by the program. Among the latter are cultural sensitivity and adaptability; empathy; intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm for challenge; tact and diplomacy in working with students from the United States and local nationals and students; organizational ability; budget management skills. Experience working successfully in a remote team environment and comfortable using a variety of technologies and virtual platforms. Proven ability to be flexible, collaborative, and patient, plus a sense of humor. Proven ability to create a welcoming learning space for all students and staff. Demonstrated ability to use empathy and authenticity to support and connect students experiencing emotional, mental, or socially challenging situations in a new environment with appropriate resources. Must be able to meet the physical demands of this position. Background The World Learning Inc. Family For more than 90 years, World Learning Inc. has been a thriving global organization made up of The Experiment in International Living, the nation's most experienced provider of international education through exchanges for high school students; School for International Training, offering accredited undergraduate programs through SIT Study Abroad and internationally focused master’s degrees through SIT Graduate Institute; and World Learning, a global development and exchange nonprofit organization. School for International Training (SIT) was founded in the early 1960s as a training center for the first Peace Corps volunteers. For nearly 60 years, SIT has prepared students to be effective changemakers and global citizens through experiential education focused on the world’s most critical global issues. SIT Study Abroad offers accredited summer and semester undergraduate programs in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, as well as comparative programs on multiple continents. SIT Graduate Institute offers global and hybrid certificates, master’s, and doctoral degrees. SIT programs are grounded in experiential learning, cultural immersion, comprehensive approaches, and strive to develop sustainable practices across its learning centers. We believe in developing respectful partnerships with local communities and seek to make accessible to our students the richness of local expertise and knowledge systems. World Learning has worked to create a more sustainable, peaceful, and just world. World Learning's education, development, and exchange programs help people find their voices, connect with their communities, strengthen the institutions that form the backbone of a democratic society, and build relationships across cultures. With World Learning's support, these emerging leaders tackle critical global issues like poverty, conflict, and inequality. The Experiment in International Living is the nation's most experienced provider of international education through exchanges for high school students. For more than 90 years, The Experiment has empowered young people to step off the beaten path, experience the world as a classroom, immerse themselves fully in another culture, and build the knowledge and skills needed to confront critical global issues. Seniority Level Director Employment Type Full‑time Job Function Education and Training Industries Non‑profit Organizations J-18808-Ljbffr

Location: Piemonte, IT

Posted Date: 11/8/2025