Career Opportunities with Franklin University Switzerland

Franklin University Switzerland is seeking to put together a pool of part-time Italian, French, and German language and literature instructors for courses in introductory and advanced Italian, French, and German. Innovative ideas are appreciated for how to best approach the task of foreign language teaching at the university level in an international community of global learners with different language backgrounds. Teaching in our language program requires instructors to be available for two days of teaching and office hours. Classes run for 75 minutes, twice a week during the regular academic year which runs from late August to mid-December and late January to mid-May. The methodology adopted by the instructor is flexible while the learning outcomes and quality assurance standards are set and assessed by the university. Team coordination with other language instructors is important to the success of the program. The Franklin foreign language classroom is student-centered, and project-based; our methodological approaches include digital pedagogy, tandem peer practice and immersive, experiential learning. Please send your CV and a cover letter to cwiedmer@fus.edu and fferrari@fus.edu

Qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview in English.

Franklin seeks a dynamic leader who can inspire and enrich our liberal arts environment across all disciplines, who has a sense of entrepreneurship and innovation in the private and public sector to build bridges to attract new opportunities for long-term sustainability, and has the appropriate skills to work effectively, cooperatively and collegially across key functional areas of the university administration. The new Dean of Academic Affairs will have autonomy to create a safe space for creativity, agility, and innovative ideas consistent with the strategic values, visibility and viability of the University.

Franklin recently celebrated the arrival of its fifth President, Dr. Samuel Martín-Barbero. Under his leadership, Franklin will grow its Strategic Plan that is committed to a shared institutional vision, imbedded values such as transparency, integrity and respect, and sustainable viability in an increasingly competitive and international environment. 

About FUS

Franklin University Switzerland, founded in 1969, is one of the first institutions to bring Liberal Arts education to Europe and to be recognized by both US and Swiss accreditation agencies. A leader in international education, we provide an experiential and multinational learning environment through small classes, strong student and faculty relationships, a residential campus, and hands-on Academic Travel experiences. We promote intellectual curiosity and critical thinking through our cross cultural, international learning experiences. We strive for academic excellence, and foster interdisciplinary opportunities for our students, faculty, and staff to support innovative and sustainable approaches to learning and research. We acknowledge the accomplishments and global impact of our community through a culture of trust that respects diversity, equity, inclusion and continuous improvement.

Mindset, competence, and experience

• Intrapreneurial, forward-thinking academic leadership;
• Ability to lead change through communication, cooperation, companionship, and the strength of good ideas;
• Ability to engage in authentic and transparent collaboration with faculty, staff, and students;
• An understanding of and commitment to shared governance and accountability;
• Experience in US higher education as well as in Europe or internationally;
• Demonstrated experience with institutional and/or academic program accreditation;
• Previous experience overseeing and ensuring the continuous review and enhancement of current programs and curricula both at the undergraduate and graduate level;
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion, and documented success in supporting the success of diverse student populations;
• Demonstrated experience and success in attracting, retaining and engaging with diverse faculty members.

Overall Responsibilities

The Dean of Academic Affairs serves as the Chief Academic Officer, is responsible for all academic programs and advocates for Franklin’s interdisciplinary teaching and research agenda. The Dean reports directly to the President and ensures that academic excellence and a student-centered experience remain Franklin’s priority. In collaboration with the President’s Cabinet, the Dean provides vision for institutional strategic planning to further the academic mission of the University.  The academic divisions report to the Dean through their chairs. The Dean is also responsible for accreditation and quality assurance, including assessment of student learning, advancement of student success, academic personnel decisions, and budget development consistent with the expectations of US and Swiss accreditation agencies.

Key responsibilities and duties:

The Dean of Academic Affairs is responsible for the following functions, in cooperation with the appropriate University committees:

• Maintenance of academic excellence in the undergraduate and graduate curriculum;
• Provides dynamic academic and administrative leadership, and fosters a collegial environment which encourages scholarship, teaching, and the learning experience;
• Advocates and promotes quality instruction, student success, and the expansion of Student Learning Outcomes to meet the educational needs of students in a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community;
• Supports faculty, staff, and student collaboration in educational projects that extend beyond the classroom and traditional expectations for courses, to include Academic Travel;
• Oversees and supports the faculty evaluation process to encourage faculty retention and promotion;
• Participates in and promotes a culture of continuous quality improvement to enhance the maintenance of high academic standards;
• Provides oversight of the Library and the Registrar, to include the Academic Calendar, the undergraduate Academic Catalog, Academic Advising, Student Accommodations, and the Writing and Learning Center;
• Promotes a global Liberal Arts institution research strategy;
• Embraces, connects and enhances the career development opportunities within the undergraduate academic portfolio with the job-market demand and the professions (competences, skills, abilities);
• Possesses practical knowledge towards the configuration/development of blended programs and new pedagogic approaches (active learning in its different forms);
• Is responsible for the direction and execution of new academic programs through the global University network (study abroad, freshmen abroad, gap year, exchange agreements, summer programs).

How to apply

For consideration by the search committee, candidates are asked to submit the following documents in PDF format to DAAsearch@fus.edu

• Current CV detailing publications;
• A letter of interest that addresses key areas of the job description;
• Contact information of three references.

The review of applications will begin immediately and will be accepted until the position is filled (expected start date: June-July 2023)

Education and Qualifications (required):

• Terminal degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate field of study;
• Rank of full professor (preferred);
• Some knowledge of Italian or ability to learn the language in a short period of time, plus knowledge of another Swiss Official language (highly valuable).

Position Type

Full-time, competitive salary and benefits. Applicants can expect a welcoming, international and intercultural working and academic environment filled by a strong sense of companionship and belongingness.

Employability in Switzerland

In compliance with local regulations, precedence will be given to candidates who are Swiss nationals, foreign nationals with a permanent residence permit (Permit C), foreign nationals with a residence permit authorizing them to work (Permit B, including recognized refugees), foreign nationals with temporary admission (Permit F), persons granted temporary protection (Permit S), and EU/EFTA citizens.

Franklin University Switzerland, in compliance with U.S. applicable federal law and with the Swiss Gender Equality Act, does not practice or permit discrimination in employment, job placement, promotion, or other economic benefits on the basis of race, color, gender, age, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, marital or parental status, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, political affiliation, veteran status. For further information, please see the university website:  https://www.fus.edu/

All members of the Franklin community are encouraged to work towards achieving a more open, fair, and tolerant community, by giving their affirmative contribution in all areas of life and work at the University to eliminate patterns of discrimination and ignorance about one another that obscure our recognition of human dignity and individuality.

Date Updated:  February 21, 2023.

Assistant Director of Admissions - West Coast Representative

Reports to: Associate Director of Admissions & Enrollment Management

Overall Responsibilities

In coordination with the Associate Director of Admissions and fellow US based Regionals, the Assistant Director will develop and implement a strategic recruitment plan for the Admissions cycle. The Admissions Assistant Director responsibilities include traditional undergraduate recruitment, high school summer program & promotion and recruitment, and assisting study abroad, foundation, and gap year program students through the application and enrollment process. Team members may also be asked to support questions related to our graduate and our upper level study abroad programs. The Assistant Director is responsible for servicing all undergraduate inquiries, finalizing applications and recommending admissions decisions for their region. The counselor will also organize off-campus events to promote the institution.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Represent the University to prospective students and their families in various regions within the western US, western Canada, and Latin America  
• Prepare and implement a fall and spring virtual and in-person recruitment schedule to include individual high school visits, and University fairs/nights
• Organize and conduct individual interviews with students as well as organize regional group virtual and in-person information sessions for students, parents and high school counselors
• Join and participate in regional admission associations to strengthen the university name and further foster relationships
• Utilize our alumni, in cooperation with our Alumni Relations office and the Admissions office to support the university’s recruitment efforts
• Provide report evaluations after Fall & Spring travel seasons of school visits, conferences, University fairs etc.; Submit expense reports for all travel
• Counsel, interview and provide information to prospective students including the application process
• Develop and maintain relationships with school counselors and education advisors
• Completing application review including writing assessments, interview reports and second reads in a timely manner
• Involve event management; planning, organizing and assisting with info sessions, admitted student receptions and counselor campus visit programs
• Prepare written reports relevant to admissions, recruitment, and related activities
• Official liaison with US partner institutions (i.e. USC, SMU, CCIS Consortia, etc.)
• Extensive travel, evening and weekend work required
• Perform other duties as assigned, consistent with this position, the department’s goals and the University’s mission.

Knowledge, Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• At least two years of professional experience in the field of higher education admissions and student recruitment or related field
• Excellent mastery of the English language. Working knowledge of Italian and/or Spanish preferred.
• Candidates must possess strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
• Must work simultaneously with multiple projects, deadlines, and departments
• Demonstrated ability to work with and recruit students of diverse backgrounds           
• Flexibility and initiative, as well as the ability to work independently with little supervision, combined with the skills for thriving in a team environment to achieve institutional goals
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed
• Strong work ethic, results-oriented, and proactive with excellent teamwork and friendly disposition
• Able to work in a high energy, fast-paced environment

About Franklin:

Franklin University Switzerland is a private, independent University recognized and accredited in Switzerland and the United States. It offers a unique and innovative approach to Liberal Arts education, characterized by an emphasis on international exposure and experiential learning in a diverse environment and a unique semiannual program of credit-bearing, faculty-led international travel.

How to apply:

Applications should include a letter of interest and a CV. Please apply electronically to info@fus.edu

Applications will be reviewed upon submission.

Anticipated start date: as soon as possible