DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL SERVICES

ABOUT US:

Scripps Research is a nonprofit biomedical institute ranked as one of the most influential in the world for its impact on innovation. We celebrated our 100-year legacy in 2024. This significant milestone marks a century of seminal discoveries in immunology, infectious diseases (such as COVID-19, flu, HIV), neuroscience, heart disease, cancer, and more. Located in La Jolla, California, the institute houses six research departments, multiple Nobel laureates, a top-ranked graduate school and a leading postdoctoral training program. Scripps Research encompasses two elite and highly innovative institutes, the Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines and Scripps Research Translational Institute, which merge foundational studies in biology, chemistry and computer science with translational science to produce pioneering drugs and advances in digital and precision medicine. Together, we cultivate new scientific leaders and expand the frontiers of knowledge to deliver medical breakthroughs impacting human health around the globe. If you have a passion for making a difference, this could be your opportunity to join our transformative team.

POSITION TITLE: Director, International Services

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of the International Services Office (ISO) is responsible for overseeing the infrastructure, staff, and campus services that support international students and scholars in La Jolla, CA and Jupiter, FL. The role encompasses a broad range of responsibilities, including finance, training, operations, administration, and staff development. Serves as the Responsible Officer (RO) for the U.S. Department of State J-1 Exchange Visitor Program and the Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) F-1 Student Program. Provides senior-level advice and counsel to Institute faculty, international scholars, students, and departments on complex and sensitive immigration, visa, and employment issues.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

International Office Administration

• Leads and supervises staff-including one international advisor in Florida-responsible for visa processing within F and J Exchange Visitor, H-1B, TN-1, O-1, and E-3 categories. Trains, assigns work, and mentors new and continuing employees.
• Oversees the performance evaluation process for ISO staff and advises on goal setting, growth plans, and disciplinary procedures for team members.
• Collaborates with and provides recommendations to the Executive Director, Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and VP of HR regarding operational needs and improvements.
• Develops and manages the budget for the ISO, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and financial sustainability.

• Represents Scripps Research during DOS or DHS audits, in conjunction with the Office of Legal Counsel.
• Collaborates with the Office of Graduate Studies on policies and procedures affecting international students.
• Oversees the use and maintenance of the Sunapsis immigration software system, ensuring that the ISO operates in a near-paperless environment.

Immigration Expertise

• Provides senior-level advice to international students and scholars, laboratories, and administrative departments facing complex immigration challenges. Collaborates with ISO team members to support Institute faculty, international scholars and students, and departments by helping develop options and plans. Uses critical judgment and sensitivity for cultural nuances to offer sound advice and guidance.
• Provides expert guidance on filing applications/petitions for all nonimmigrant and immigrant classifications for the Institute's international population. Classifications include, but are not limited to, J-1/2, H-1B (Including Wage Surveys, Prevailing Wage Laws, and Labor Condition Applications), TN-1, E-3, O-1, F-1/(OPT & STEM OPT Extension), B-1, WB, along with the various categories of Permanent Residency.
• Supervises J-1 scholar advisors and monitors daily operation of the J Exchange Visitor Program at the CA campus to ensure customer service and compliance. Ensures that the program functions with integrity, follows best practices and quality services to Institute faculty, international scholars, and departments. Oversees the program budget and submits the J-1 program report annually.
• Supervises F-1 student advisors on both campuses and ensures that the F-1 program operates with integrity, follows best practices, and provides the highest-quality services.
• Crafts and submits biennial recertification and redesignation petitions for the Institute's F-1 and J programs.
• Keeps abreast of complex regulations, policies, laws and practices from the U.S. DHS, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Labor, and relevant state agencies.
• Evaluates requests for Scripps Research's sponsorship for permanent residence or O-1 status based on institutional policies and immigration law. Manages petitions filed through attorneys.
• Oversees institutional access to and compliance with SEVIS regulations, policies and procedures.
• Oversees ISO advisors who support international scholars, students, and their dependent family members as they apply for visas, employment authorizations, Social Security numbers, California driver's licenses, and extensions and changes of statuses. Provides guidance on international travel, navigation of the health care system, compliance with health insurance requirements, and strategic planning in the immigration context of future employment and other activities while in the U.S.
• Collaborates with the ISO team and Human Resources to manage completion of I-9 documents for new international hires and compliance with I-9 regulations.

Cultural and Educational Events and Activities

• Provides oversight and guidance for developing and sustaining events and activities that are beneficial to the campus community and supportive of international students and scholars, as well as compliant with J-1 regulations related to intercultural exchange.
• Collaborates with other offices on campus to offer events and activities, including the Career and Professional Development Office (CPDO), Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS), and student-led organizations.
• Works with ISO team members and Human Resources to schedule onboarding check-in meetings that facilitate the arrival and acculturation of foreign nationals to the Institute. Works with scholar advisors to develop and deliver new international student and scholar orientations.
• Collaborates with the international advisor in Florida to ensure appropriate programmatic support for Florida students.
• Details of established essential functions for this position will be addressed/discussed during the interview process.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in International Studies, International Relations, International Business, or a related discipline, or equivalent combination of education, training, and professional experience. Master's preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in a leadership role overseeing immigration matters at an academic institution; experience working at an institution with a scientific focus is a plus.
• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to communicate and provide senior-level advice clearly, concisely, and effectively to a spectrum of personalities, cultures, professions, and situations. Ability to write clear and concise reports, memoranda, directives and letters.
• Expert knowledge of non-immigrant classifications used by international scientific scholars and students. Classifications include J, H-1B (Including Wage Surveys, Prevailing Wage Laws, and Labor Condition Applications), TN, E, O, F (OPT & STEM OPT Extension), B and WB.
• Fluent knowledge of immigrant classifications, especially EB-1(a), EB-1(b) and EB-2(NIW).
• Expert knowledge of regulations, policies and laws related to state and federal agencies involved with nonimmigrants, as well as US embassies and consulates abroad.
• Ability to take initiative and to plan, organize, and coordinate, and perform work in environments where numerous, diverse, and time sensitive demands are involved.
• Ability to collect, evaluate, and interpret data to develop sound conclusions and make effective and sustainable recommendations.
• To comply with U.S. Government requirements, must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident.
• Must be able to assume responsibility for 24/7 emergency contact issue-resolution for foreign nationals.
• While subject to change based on business needs, this is an on-campus position requiring a minimum of 4 days per week working onsite from our La Jolla campus, with flexibility to work 1 day per week remotely from home.

COMPENSATION:

The expected hiring range for this position is $140,000 to $165,000/annually, commensurate with experience. Consideration will be given to experience that exceeds the listed requirements.

COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Employer Contributed Retirement Plan - Depending on eligibility, employees receive an employer contributed retirement plan (no employee contribution required) and the option to contribute to a 403(b) (which is similar to a 401(k) using your own pre or post-tax dollars)
• Full Suite of Health and Welfare plans including three medical plan options (including an HSA available option), dental, vision, life insurance, disability, EAP and more
• Access to Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical/Dependent Care)
• Competitive vacation and sick leave policies
• Free, on-site parking

The above statements describe the level of work performed and expected in general terms. The statements are not intended to list all the responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of employees so classified, and the content herein is subject to change due to the business needs of Scripps Research, with or without notice. Furthermore, nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to be in conflict with or to eliminate or modify in any way the employment-at-will status of Scripps Research staff.

EEO Statement:

The Scripps Research Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote diversity of thought, culture, and background in the fields of science. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic or status.