Executive Director

About APSIA
Founded in 1989, the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA) is a global network of graduate schools specializing in international affairs. The Association advances international understanding, prosperity, peace, and security through the people and ideas shaped by its member schools. 

APSIA brings together the leading graduate schools around the world which specialize in international affairs. We strengthen our members and affiliates by gathering information and sharing ideas. We connect prospective students and employers to our member schools, so that they can capitalize on the skills an APSIA education provides. We collaborate with other higher education institutions and the professional international affairs community to address common problems. APSIA helps students, schools, organizations, and partners transform themselves into more effective agents of positive change.

As of September 2026, APSIA has 43 members and 34 affiliates based in 21 countries.  Its membership reflects a diverse range of institutions and perspectives from the Americas, Europe, Asia, and MENA. Our work spans several areas including admissions, career services, alumni engagement, communications, and development. Deans and senior leaders gather annually to discuss issues facing international affairs education and exchange ideas and practices.

About the Executive Director
The Executive Director works under the supervision of the APSIA Executive Committee, particularly the President, , to advance the Association's mission, support its members, and lead the organization. 

This is a hands-on leadership role in a small, fully remote organization. The Executive Director combines strategic leadership and external representation with direct responsibility for financial management, staff supervision, communications, human resources, investments, member engagement, programming, strategic planning, and administration. The role requires someone who is comfortable setting direction while also working directly on the practical details needed to run the Association, moving easily between high-level strategic work and operational tasks.
The position requires experience managing a nonprofit, a similarly complex international organization, or a university, as well as a background in nonprofit management and administration.

The Executive Director should have strong judgment, initiative, diplomacy, organization, and communication skills and be able to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and across cultures. They should be comfortable working both independently and as part of a team, operating under the direction of the Executive Committee. The Executive Director should be an entrepreneurial self-starter and a relationship-builder who seeks partnerships to expand APSIA’s impact beyond what it can achieve on its own.

The Executive Director typically travels domestically and internationally throughout the year. Some non-standard hours, including evening and weekend work, may be required.
Responsibilities

Strategy and Organizational Leadership:

• Collaborate with the Executive Committee to set APSIA's priorities and implement and evaluate the Association's strategic plan. Facilitate the Executive Committee virtual meetings. 
• Identify opportunities to strengthen APSIA's impact, membership, and financial sustainability, including growth in underrepresented regions.
• Evaluate program offerings, in response to member needs , as well as the evolving context of international affairs education
• Straighten APSIA’s governance, lead future strategic planning and annual work planning processes.
• Identify opportunities for partnerships and collaboration that advance APSIA's mission.
• Mentor, and retain a high-performing small remote team rooted in collaboration and impact; foster a culture that values diverse perspectives and supports professional growth. 

Operations and Financial Management:

• Supervise APSIA's internal processes and support APSIA remote office system and internal communications. Manage cloud project management software ensuring that core organizational functions run effectively. 
• Oversee the Association's finances, including budgeting, cash flow, financial reporting, banking, investments, and coordination with external financial professionals.
• Oversee membership administration, contracts, vendors, insurance, human resources, and other internal systems.
• Review financial statements and tax filings prepared by external professionals and report to the Executive Committee as appropriate.
• Ensure legal and regulatory compliance for a U.S. nonprofit organization.
• Manage external consultants and service providers.

Member Engagement and Programming

• Supervise  the delivery of online and in-person events for key APSIA stakeholders (annual Deans/Directors Meeting, prospective student recruitment events, advisor workshops, etc)
• Support engagement across APSIA's professional communities, including Admissions, Alumni Relations, Career Services, Communications, and Development.
• Analyze and present data related to the work of APSIA members across the broad fields of international affairs and international affairs education including the Executive Director and Annual reports. Supervise the collection of annual surveys across schools.
• Develop and provide programming for prospective students.
• External Relations and Communications
• Build relationships with prospective members/affiliates, including promoting membership to prospective candidates, supporting candidates during the application process, and facilitating application decision making.
• Supervise communications and engagement strategies for APSIA's key audiences.
• Develop and maintain strong networks within the international affairs community (e.g. student groups, undergraduate advisors, other associations, non-profits, government agencies) , advance employer engagement to increase the visibility of APSIA schools and represent APSIA at external events
• Enhance the international profile of APSIA, both in terms of greater visibility in and connections across world regions

Fundraising and Development

• Develop and lead annual and long-term fundraising plans.
• Cultivate relationships with relevant foundations,organization and institutional funders.
• Prepare and oversee grant proposals and funding applications.

Position Requirements

Given the breadth of responsibilities, APSIA recognizes that not every candidate will possess all of the qualities needed. Requirements and preferences for this position are:

• B.A and M.A. in related fields (international relations, international affairs, international education, higher education management, nonprofit management, etc). 
• 8-10 years of program and/or organizational management required.
• Demonstrated ability to tactfully handle stressful situations, negotiate and resolve conflicts, maintain confidentiality, and respect required.
• Experience in creating communication, digital strategy, social media, and marketing strategies and content for a wide range of audiences strongly preferred.
• Experience in online and in-person event planning.
• Experience in international affairs-related practice and/or education.
• Experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders and working in cross-cultural contexts.

Preferred

• Advanced degree in international/public affairs, higher education, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Grant-management experience and demonstrated record of successful fundraising campaigns.
• Experience working in higher education.
• Proficiency in languages other than English is a plus.

Location
This is a fully remote U.S.-based position requiring valid U.S. work authorization. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. 

Salary and Benefits
The salary for this position ranges between $90,000 - 110,000. APSIA also offers a benefits package that includes:

• Tax-free health insurance reimbursement plan (QSEHRA, $6350 for
  individuals, $12,800 for employees with a family annually),
• 401k retirement contribution with up to 7% match,
• Monthly internet stipend ($75),
• Two weeks of paid time off (PTO) during the first year of employment, increasing to three weeks after a year of service,
• 10 paid holidays, office closure days (between Christmas and New Year), 5 sick days,
• Annual professional development stipend after a year of service ($2500).

APSIA actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.

To apply, please submit a resume and  cover letter to jobs@apsia.org as one attachment. Priority deadline: October 15, 2026. Final deadline: October 31, 2026.