Program Director

CRDF Global seeks a dynamic, mission-driven Program Director to lead the implementation of the U.S. Department of State's Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. The Program Director will be responsible for the strategic leadership, client relationship management, program execution, and operational excellence of the Gilman Program, ensuring all cooperative agreement objectives are met or exceeded. The Program Director will supervise a team of senior staff, including the Program Manager, and ensure high-impact program outcomes through cross-functional coordination and stakeholder engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

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  Provide strategic oversight and leadership for the implementation of the Gilman International Scholarship Program, ensuring full compliance with ECA cooperative agreement requirements.

  
  

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  Serve as the primary liaison with the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), leading all client communications, reporting, and program reviews.

  
  

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  Supervise and support the Program Manager, who will manage day-to-day operations and project implementation, including timelines, deliverables, and reporting.

  
  

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  Lead annual work planning, budgeting, and performance forecasting, ensuring alignment with Gilman Program goals and objectives.

  
  

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  Oversee execution of program components including recruitment and outreach, application and selection cycles, participant monitoring, alumni engagement, communications/social media, branding, evaluation, and financial disbursements.

  
  

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  Ensure adherence to high standards in data protection, student safety, and compliance with federal regulations.

  
  

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  Cultivate and maintain public-private partnerships, including cost-sharing contributions, in support of the program's sustainability and innovation.

  
  

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  Develop and manage program dashboards, reports, and evaluation tools to monitor progress, improve performance, and guide strategic decision-making.

  
  

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  Mentor and lead staff across all levels; promote team collaboration, professional development, and a positive organizational culture.

  
  

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  Represent CRDF Global and the Gilman Program at public events, conferences, and strategic engagements with higher education institutions, alumni, and advisors.

  
  

Qualifications:

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  Bachelor's degree required, master's degree in international education, public administration, or a related field preferred.

  
  

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  Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience, including at least 5 years in a supervisory role managing federal programs, preferably within international exchanges or higher education.

  
  

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  Demonstrated experience designing or overseeing large-scale merit-based scholarship or exchange programs and successfully managing cooperative agreements or grants exceeding $10 million.

  
  

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  Proven ability to manage client relationships with U.S. Government agencies, particularly the Department of State.

  
  

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  Strong experience overseeing teams responsible for participant recruitment, outreach, data reporting, alumni engagement, and financial oversight.

  
  

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  Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to engage with senior-level stakeholders.

  
  

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  U.S. work authorization required; willingness to travel domestically as needed.

  
  

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  Familiarity with the U.S. higher education landscape, student financial aid systems (e.g., Pell Grants), and student advising models.

  
  

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  Experience coordinating with multiple internal departments (finance, monitoring & evaluation, IT, communications) to execute federal awards.

  
  

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  Knowledge of compliance with U.S. Department of State branding, travel, data protection, and reporting requirements.

  
  

Contingent Hiring Statement:

This position is contingent upon CRDF Global's successful award of the FY25 Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Employment is conditional on the receipt of funding and finalization of the award agreement.

Key Personnel Designation:

This position is proposed as Key Personnel under the FY25 Gilman Program cooperative agreement and is subject to approval by the U.S. Department of State. The selected candidate must be available for onboarding upon award and actively participate in the program kick-off meeting with ECA.