Project Director, US LEADS

Position description

For more than 50 years, IREX has delivered results in complex environments. We solve problems through partnership, bridge divides where interests conflict, and develop leaders committed to impact. The youth we empower build stronger economies. The educators we support improve learning for countless students. The critical thinking skills we advance help people make informed decisions about their futures.

We approach our work through three horizon goals: leaders bridge divides; learners succeed in the world of work; and people thrive in a technology-, AI-, and data-driven world.

Position Summary

IREX seeks an experienced Project Director to lead implementation of the anticipated U.S. Leadership in Education, Advanced Manufacturing, and Digital Skills (U.S. LEADS) program, funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).

U.S. LEADS will bring approximately 100 senior international policymakers and workforce leaders to the United States for multi-city, short-term exchanges focused on workforce development, industry partnerships, and sector-based training systems. The program will showcase how U.S. community colleges, employers, and workforce ecosystems collaborate to build talent pipelines in priority sectors such as advanced manufacturing, digital skills, and emerging technologies.

The Project Director will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for this complex international exchange program. The role will oversee participant recruitment and selection in coordination with U.S. embassies, guide the design and delivery of U.S.-based exchange programs across multiple host cities, and ensure strong alignment between international participants and U.S. industry and education partners. The Project Director will serve as the primary liaison with ECA, manage a multidisciplinary program team, oversee monitoring and evaluation, and ensure compliance with federal grant requirements.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of U.S. LEADS program implementation to ensure timely, high-quality delivery of program activities, including recruitment, exchanges, follow-on programming, and alumni engagement.
• Serve as the primary liaison to ECA and maintain proactive communication with ECA program officers and key stakeholders.
• Oversee participant recruitment and selection in collaboration with U.S. embassies, ensuring strong alignment with program priorities and workforce sectors.
• Guide the design and implementation of multi-city U.S.-based exchange programs, including a Washington, DC summit and regional programs hosted by community colleges and industry partners.
• Ensure alignment between participant countries and U.S. host locations based on shared workforce priorities, industry sectors, and supply chain linkages.
• Oversee partnerships with U.S. community colleges, employers, industry associations, workforce boards, and other ecosystem actors.
• Provide strategic oversight for participant preparation, onboarding, travel, and program delivery across all phases of the participant journey.
• Supervise program staff responsible for program design, logistics, partnerships, participant support, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting.
• Oversee follow-on activities, including mentoring, catalytic investment (small grant) programs, reciprocal exchanges, and alumni engagement initiatives.
• Guide program monitoring, evaluation, and learning in alignment with ECA’s MODE framework, ensuring a focus on outcomes such as sustained partnerships, policy impact, and workforce system improvements.
• Oversee program budgets and ensure full compliance with federal regulations and cooperative agreement requirements.
• Maintain strong relationships with workforce development organizations, community college networks, industry partners, and international stakeholders.
• Ensure timely development and submission of required deliverables, including reports, budgets, and program documentation.
• Represent IREX and U.S. LEADS within relevant professional networks and stakeholder communities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in workforce development, education, public policy, international development, or a related field strongly preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive experience managing international education, workforce development, professional exchange, or public diplomacy programs.
• Demonstrated experience working with U.S. Department of State or other U.S. government-funded programs; ECA experience strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of workforce development systems, including community colleges, employer engagement, and sector-based training approaches.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing complex international programs involving participant recruitment, multi-site program delivery, and stakeholder coordination.
• Experience managing multimillion-dollar budgets and ensuring compliance with federal grant or cooperative agreement requirements.
• Minimum of four years of supervisory experience managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience building and managing partnerships with U.S. institutions, including educational institutions, private sector partners, and government stakeholders.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Experience working with global participants and cross-cultural teams.
• International experience strongly preferred.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.

This position is contingent on funding.

Application instructions

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