Application instructions are located at the bottom of the page. Please apply directly through the University of Montana's career portal UM Jobs at https://umjobs.silkroad.com/ for positions at the University of Montana – Missoula, University of Montana Western (Dillon), and Helena College. Do not apply through Indeed.com or use easy apply through Indeed.com*.
The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center invites applications for Director of the Defense Critical Language and Culture Program (DCLCP) to bring leadership, initiative, and strategic planning to this critical component of the University of Montana’s programs focused on support of U.S. national security issues.
DCLCP is the largest and top-rated U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Language Training Center in the nation. The Language Training Centers Program is an initiative sponsored by the Defense Language and National Security Education Office and administered by the Institute of International Education. Under this initiative, DCLCP develops and presents comprehensive language and regional studies/cultural awareness courses and supporting materials designed to support national security mission needs. These courses and materials are aligned with DOD requirements, and may include, but are not limited to, languages such as Chinese, Arabic, Persian, Indonesian, French, Russian, Ukrainian, Spanish, Thai, and Korean. These courses and materials generally include a substantial regional and cultural studies component. DCLCP also develops synchronous online learning modules and applications for language and culture instruction in coordination with DOD entities.
A critical part of the University of Montana community, DCLCP leverages the academic capabilities of the University to meet the specific requirements of military partners. This University partnership also develops degree programs for deployed military and other University students.
The Director will oversee all DCLCP programs, including approximately 90 staff members in multiple locations throughout the United States. The position is physically based at the Mansfield Center home office at the University of Montana in Missoula, MT.
Responsibilities include:
- Provide leadership to DCLCP by providing a clear vision for teaching, engagement, and sustainability.
- Develop strategies and associated financial and operational plans in partnership with the Mansfield Center Executive Director in alignment with national security and University objectives.
- Allocate DCLCP resources to accomplish these plans, with clear objectives, targets and associated measurements.
- Act as an Ambassador for DCLCP, the Mansfield Center, and the University of Montana in developing, leading, and encouraging outreach and public service.
- Oversee the development and refinement of foreign language, culture and regional studies courses that are pedagogically sound and meet scholastic requirements for the University of Montana and the needs of DCLCP military partners.
- Understand and communicate critical challenges, opportunities, and priorities for the American military regarding culture and language training.
- Interface with DOD senior command leadership, U.S. military, and governmental entities at all levels, congressional delegations and staffs, and other nongovernmental agencies involved in foreign language and cultural studies instruction.
- Develop and execute strategies to attract military students, forge partnerships with relevant stakeholders, and ensure the continued expansion of DCLCP through grants, contracts, or arrangement with other partner organizations.
- Oversee and implement programming that provides military partners with cultural understanding and language fluency consistent with their diverse needs.
- Identify and capitalize on funding opportunities in line with the mission of providing language and culture education to military and U.S. governmental personnel.
- Engage with U.S. government and DOD authorizations, appropriations, and funding systems in relation to DCLCP funding mechanisms.
- Navigate sensitivities inherent in supporting national security objectives and U.S. military programs.
- Closely collaborate with and manage senior staff handling the hiring, training and support of indigenous language and culture instructors and other program staff.
- Implement procedures and systems together with senior staff to ensure that program objectives are met effectively and efficiently at all program locations.
Position Details:
- Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, Letter of Appointment and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.
- Salary for this position is $115,000-$135,000 per year commensurate with qualifications.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree and seven (7) or more years of high-level experience in a field related to the mission of DCLCP.
- Understanding of the nature and requirements associated with DOD language, cultural/regional studies needs and the resulting training requirements.
- Ability to interface with DOD senior leadership, U.S. military, and governmental entities at all levels; congressional delegations and staff; and other nongovernmental agencies involved in national security priorities.
- Demonstrated experience working with U.S. governmental and military entities at multiple levels.
- Thorough and wide understanding of geopolitical issues pertaining to U.S. national security priorities as well as ability to maintain situational awareness of changing U.S. national security priorities and the National Military Strategy that is predictive of DOD and U.S. governmental needs for language and cultural studies instruction.
- Understanding of U.S. government and DOD authorizations, appropriations, and funding systems.
- Knowledge of U.S. government and DOD policies pertaining to grant-funded and contract-funded opportunities.
- Experience in foreign language learning and/or teaching.
- Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communications skills and experience, including the ability to work with and lead diverse groups of individuals and create and maintain effective working relationships.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree and seven (7) or more years of high-level experience in a field related to the mission of DCLCP.
- Prior experience serving in our nation’s military or working directly for a military organization.
- Robust understanding of diverse military cultures and their priorities as related to foreign language and regional studies training.
- Understanding of and ability to support the University of Montana strategic vision and its systems.
- Knowledge of State of Montana policies pertaining to grant-funded and contract-funded opportunities.
About UM and Missoula:
The University of Montana is flagship, research-intensive R1 institution with approximately 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 75,000, surrounded by mountains and three rivers converge. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere.
To learn more about the University of Montana, Missoula, and the State of Montana, please visit the links below.
Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to Offer of Employment. In accordance with University policy, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. References *References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. Employment Eligibility. All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).
How to Apply:
Priority Application Date: Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Complete applications received by this date will be guaranteed consideration. To receive full consideration, candidates are required to submit all of the following materials.
Please submit the following application materials** via the UM Jobs portal and by clicking "New Resume/CV" button. Please do not apply through Indeed.com*.
- Letter of Interest – addressing the stated required skills for the position
- Detailed resume listing education and describing work experience
- Three (3) professional references- Names and contact information
*Applying through Indeed.com or easy apply through Indeed.com may result in submission of an incomplete application. Applications may be removed from full consideration if they are not complete with materials listed above under the "How to Apply" section. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure complete application materials are submitted and received by the date listed above.
**Please note: only five (5) attachments are allowed per application. Please combine documents accordingly.
Missoula, Montana, United States