Director of Student Programming

Sister Cities of Nashville

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Job Summary

Director of Student Programming Job Description:

This position is full-time salaried at an average of 40 hours/week with the exception of student exchanges (approximately 8 – 10 weeks a year) where duties and responsibilities increase to meet workload. This position works with leadership and Board of Directors on all aspects of student programming. This position also engages with many community leaders, educators, students, and parents, and must be able to balance and nurture those relationships. Experience working as an educator, with high school students, and/or working in a high school environment in the Nashville area is strongly preferred. Preference will be given to candidates currently living or working in the Nashville area.

The Director of Student Programming will manage educational programming including in-person student exchange programs, virtual student programming, and the Academic Ambassadors program. This position will support the Executive Director in achieving the organization’s mission by assisting with the management of Nashville’s 10 sister city relationships. Key responsibilities outside of student exchange duties include participating in or helping to manage events and festivals, recruiting and managing volunteers, strengthening relationships with community, school, and host family partners, and maintaining organizational records, and data as needed.

Description of exchanges and educational programming

Our In-Person Student Exchange programs each take place over a two-week time engaging and immersive exchange experience. Our outbound program sends Nashville high school students abroad to several of our partnering Sister Cities in Argentina, France, Germany, and other countries depending upon opportunities and schedules. In turn, our inbound exchange invites student groups from several of our partner cities at different times throughout the school year for a roughly two-week period to stay with host families and explore Nashville. Students engage with program staff and SCN board members throughout the year in preparation for the exchange programming.

Sister Cities of Nashville strives to provide opportunities for peer-to-peer connections between students and educators in our community and our partner cities worldwide. Our virtual programs include Peer-to-Peer Language Acquisition, Project-Based Learning, book clubs, science exchanges, and even civic exchanges. These programs are designed in partnership with educators to fit their curriculum and classroom needs. SCN seeks to facilitate and maintain these connections, along with providing support once connections have been made.

The Academic Ambassador program is comprised of dedicated educators within the Nashville area at both public and private schools. These educators have committed to partner with our organization to promote programming and help recruit students to participate at all levels. The Director of Student Programming manages these relationships, providing support and resources to our partner educators throughout the year.

Organization Overview

Sister Cities of Nashville is a non-profit organization with the mission of connecting the people of Nashville to the people of the world through mutual respect and understanding. SCN promotes economic development and global understanding by assisting and encouraging citizens to link with communities throughout the world. A major emphasis of the organization is providing school students with the opportunity to expand their education through the student exchange program and direct connections and collaborations with peers in our sister cities across the world. SCN currently has 10 sister cities in 9 different countries across the world.

Job Responsibilities

Key Activities & Specifications:

(1)   Responsible for inbound and outbound in-person student exchanges including marketing, recruitment, registration, coordination, logistics, preparation, and management. For inbound exchanges, this position will be required to drive and help coordinate drivers for activities.

(2)   Responsible for building and maintaining relationships with and supporting the Academic Ambassador program with the goal of increasing participation and expanding programming into more schools and organizations

(3)   Responsible for creating, maintaining and strengthening relationships with educational partners outside of the Academic Ambassador program including area K-12 schools, universities, educators, administrators, and community organizations related to SCN’s educational programming

(4)   Responsible for maintaining contact lists, building and maintaining relationships with hosts, student ambassadors, driver volunteers, and organizations that partner with our student exchanges and programming

(5)   Responsible for virtual student exchanges including marketing, recruitment, registration, coordination, preparation, and management

(6)   Chair of the Student Exchange Committee

(7)   Shared duties of research and writing of grants, when applicable

(8)   Responsible for recruiting volunteers for festivals and community events or other volunteer opportunities as needed

(9)   Responsible for assisting the Executive Director at events and fundraisers including Membership Mixer, festivals, World of Friendship, and/or other important SCN gatherings as needed or necessary (committee meetings, fundraisers, delegation visits, city partnership programming and events, and/or other events that happen throughout the year)

(10) Responsible for accurate and complete tracking of community engagements for the purpose of reporting and grant funding

(11) Will assist the Executive Director with data collection, entry, and tracking in an effort to maintain database

(12) Will assist the Executive Director with messaging and outreach efforts (such as newsletters, marketing materials, and social media updates) primarily related to student and educational programming, but also as needed in other areas such as city partnerships, events, etc.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the position. Employees holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by management. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.

Qualifications

Job Specifications

●       Undergraduate degree or equivalent work experience is required. 

●      Must have a valid driver’s license, good driving record, and be able to pass a background check.

●      Must have experience in managing student exchanges or equivalent types of activities and possess the ability to meet deadlines, problem solve, and work well under pressure.

●       Excellent organizational, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills are required.

●       Must be able to prioritize and handle projects from start to finish.

●       A working knowledge or openness to learn current technology-based communication platforms (Zoom, Teams, WhatsApp, WeChat, etc).

●       Must be comfortable interacting with a variety of cultures and English language skill, and ability to adapt to non-English speaking environments. Foreign language skills are a plus, but not required.

●       Experience working with multiple stakeholders in a variety of capacities is a plus.

●       Experience working as an educator, working with high school students, or working in a high school environment is preferred

Additional Information

Benefits

How to Apply

Please send resume, cover letter to Sarah@scnashville.org and complete the culture index survey that can be found here: https://surveys.cultureindex.com/s/0943210000/37097 in order for your application to be complete

Details

• Date Posted: April 28, 2025
• Type: Full-Time
• Job Function: Educator
• Service Area: Arts / Culture
• Start Date: 05/26/2025
• Salary Range: 60,800
• Working Hours: 40 hrs/wk aside from active exchanges, some weekends,