Executive Director Position 

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Extraordinary opportunity for internationally-minded academic administrator or senior faculty member to provide, on a part-time basis, the leadership and managerial direction necessary to take this global collaborative project to the next level in its growth and development.

 

The Organization

The EMBA Consortium for Global Business Innovation is a collaborative venture involving ten leading business schools from around the world whose main objectives are to provide a strong international experience to their Executive MBA students in a simple and cost-effective manner.  Launched in 2011, each of its member schools organizes a one-week intensive program consisting of classroom lectures and discussions, company visits and cultural activities, focused on business innovation within its geographic region and with a specific theme based on their expertise and competence.  EMBA participants at all schools choose which International Week module to attend based on their personal and professional interests.  Over 1,200 executives have participated in the program since its founding.

Our current members are:

• Brazil: Coppead Graduate Business School, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
• China: School of Economics and Business Administration, Chongqing University
• India: Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad
• Italy: Bologna Business School, University of Bologna
• Russia: MIRBIS Institute, Moscow
• South Africa: University of Stellenbosch Business School, Cape Town
• Turkey: Sabanci University School of Management, Istanbul
• UK: Cranfield School of Management, Cranfield University
• USA: Chapman Graduate School of Business, Florida International University, Miami
• USA: Lucas Graduate School of Business, San José State University, California

The Position

The Executive Director is appointed by and reports to the governing board of the EMBA Consortium for Global Business Innovation, the “Council”, an organism constituted by representatives of all member schools, and to the Council’s elected Chair.  The Executive Director (ED) oversees the activities of the Consortium and is responsible for their overall success and for the well being and learning experience of the students that participate in its annual International Week.  He/she is also responsible for the adherence by the member schools to the rules established by all the partners to the Council, which are outlined in the By-Laws of the Consortium, and for the promotion of the Consortium to other universities, business schools and international organizations.

In carrying out this mandate, the ED needs to interact closely with the respective Program Directors and Program Managers at each of the member schools and exercise leadership over the conduct of the Consortium’s overall program.  Additionally, the ED shall provide the Council with an annual evaluation of all programs that constituted the International Week at all member schools, together with a plan for the implementation of corrective actions that may be required based on this feedback. 

The Executive Director manages the budget of the Consortium through The Executive MBA Corporation, Inc., a non-for-profit 501(c)-4 corporation registered in the State of Florida.  He or she is required to prepare an annual financial report as well as a budget for the coming year that are presented to the Council at its annual meeting and which is the basis for the determination of the Annual Fees charged each of the members for the coming year. 

Finally, the ED is primarily responsible, working closely with the Council, for seeking, proposing and recruiting additional schools to join the Consortium.  He or she is also responsible for proposing, evaluating, and developing additional programs that might be offered to the students and alumni of the Consortium program outside the annual International Week.

As the Consortium is a relatively young organization, it is likely that its modus operandi will evolve over time within its current decentralized structure.  Consequently, the ED’s job is bound to evolve as well and the incumbent will need considerable leadership skills and flexibility to accommodate to any new requirements of the organization.

 

Major Areas of Responsibility

With regards to managing the execution of the annual International Week, the ED should:

• Obtain from all member schools a detailed version of their proposed one-week program for the International Week in time for inclusion in the Consortium’s website according to the Timetable agreed by all members for the year.
• Work with each of the member schools to incorporate any modifications and changes that are considered desirable for the local programs based on comments from other members and his/her own judgment.
• Manage the bidding process by which students select which program they wish to attend and arbitrate conflicts according to the established parameters for attendance, diversity and size limits established by the Council.
• Visit one of the member schools’ programs during the International Week.
• Visit each member school to discuss the program and its performance with the school’s senior administration at least once every four years.
• Insure that all content and pre-reading materials are included in the website or through Dropbox in time for the students’ participation in the International Week.

In terms of the overall administration of the Consortium the ED would need to:

• Organize and participate in the annual meeting of the Council for which he/she must prepare an agenda that includes presentation on the results of the previous International Week, plans for future offerings, discussion of strategic and operational issues, a financial report and budget proposal, and any other issues suggested by the members.
• Organize and direct the annual meeting of Program Managers/Administrators from all member schools that aims to improve the performance of all International Week programs by discussing operational issues, exchanging best practices and nurturing a team culture among the members.
• Determine location for these annual meetings, in consultation with the members, to be held at one of the members’ schools on a rotating basis.
• Under the direction of the Council and its Chair, seek additional members for the Consortium and promote the same at international meetings and symposia.
• Maintain the Chair of the Council informed of all important issues on a regular basis.
• Select, hire and supervise any staff assistants in the Consortium’s central office.

Regarding back-office operations, the ED should:

1. Supervise and assist the Webmaster in the design and execution of the program’s website and social media program.
2. Oversee the development marketing and promotional materials.
3. Share responsibility for promoting the Consortium’s program in collaboration with the staff and directors of each member school.
4. Assist in the establishment of communication strategies to reach out to program alumni through social media and special programs as appropriate.
5. Manage the finances for the Consortium and present annual financial accounts and a pro-forma budget to the Council at every annual meeting.
6. Work with legal counsel, certified public accountants and other professionals in the structure of the organization and in meeting all regulatory and reporting requirements imposed by its not-for-profit status.

The omission of specific duties in these lists does not preclude the Council from requiring additional tasks that are logically related to the position.  As the Consortium’s activities and organizational structure may develop over time, specific responsibilities will also evolve but will remain focused on effective administration and development of the consortium and its vision and goals.

 

Preferred Qualifications

Ideally, the successful candidate should meet most of these qualifications:

1. Academic degree (PhD or DBA) and experience in a major business school with strong international programs.
2. Experience with Executive MBA programs, either as a teacher or program director in such programs.
3. Evidence of strong international orientation in his/her research, teaching, consulting and/or professional activities and associations.
4. Cross-cultural sensitivity as evidenced by having worked and lived in multiple geographies.
5. Language skills: a preference for bi-lingual ability to include English and in one of the program countries.
6. Evidence of leadership abilities such as program administration, dean or associate dean positions, professional standing, etc.

 

Compensation and Timing

Currently, the Executive Director is defined as a part-time position requiring a total commitment of approximately 50-60 days spread out throughout the year.  Whether or not some of the more administrative tasks can be delegated to staff assistants will have a bearing on the total time commitment and, of course, the budget.  Current compensation is established at $40,000 annually for the Executive Director, and there is a budget of approximately $20,000 for costs associated with running the website and staff assistants.

Interested candidates are asked to submit the following documentation: 1) a one-page biographical summary; 2) a complete CV with all details on educational background and previous positions; 3) a letter of interest and qualifications for the position; and 4) three professional references.  These materials should be submitted to the Chair of the Council at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than September 1^st, 2017, but earlier if possible, to receive full consideration.  The position will remain open until filled. 

The Consortium’s Nomination Committee will ask selected candidates to participate in video-conference interviews during the month of September.  Finalists will be invited to attend the next Council meeting scheduled for October 26-27, 2017 in San José, California, USA.