Exchange Visitor Support Manager

Program Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, coach, and supervise a team of five program staff responsible for Intern, Trainee, and Teacher program operations.
• Establish team priorities, performance goals, and accountability measures aligned with organizational objectives.
• Provide ongoing training, mentoring, and professional development to ensure high performance and regulatory competency.
• Monitor workloads and allocate resources to ensure timely and accurate processing of program activities.
• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented team culture focused on continuous improvement and participant satisfaction.

Exchange Program Operations (ARO Duties)

• Serve as Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) in accordance with Department of State regulations.
• Oversee the end-to-end intake and vetting process for exchange visitor applications, ensuring eligibility, completeness, and compliance.
• Review and approve program documentation, including DS-2019 issuance readiness, training plans (DS-7002), and supporting materials.
• Ensure adherence to sponsor obligations, including participant orientation, monitoring, and program oversight.
• Maintain accurate participant records in SEVIS and internal systems in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure full compliance with all federal regulations governing J-1 Intern, Trainee, and Teacher programs.
• Monitor program activities to ensure adherence to health, safety, welfare, and programmatic requirements.
• Identify compliance risks and implement corrective actions proactively.
• Support internal and external audits, site visits, and Department of State reviews.
• Maintain current knowledge of regulatory updates and integrate changes into program policies and procedures.

Participant Support & Stakeholder Engagement

• Oversee participant support processes, ensuring timely and effective issue resolution throughout the program lifecycle.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex participant, host organization, or partner issues.
• Collaborate with host organizations, partners, and stakeholders to ensure program quality and compliance.
• Ensure clear communication of program rules, expectations, and responsibilities to all stakeholders.

Programmatic Reporting & Data Management

• Develop and deliver regular programmatic reports on program performance, compliance, and participant outcomes.
• Track key metrics related to intake, processing timelines, participant demographics, and program success.
• Analyze data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for program improvement.
• Ensure accurate and timely submission of required regulatory and organizational reports.

Process Improvement & Strategic Initiatives

• Evaluate existing program processes and identify efficiencies, automation opportunities, and quality improvements.
• Lead initiatives to enhance participant experience and operational effectiveness.
• Contribute to strategic planning and program growth initiatives.
• Develop and document standard operating procedures to ensure consistency and scalability.

Required

• Bachelor's degree in International Affairs, Public Administration, Education, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience managing J-1 exchange programs or similar regulated programs.
• Experience serving as or working closely with a Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO).
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing teams.
• Strong knowledge of Department of State regulations for Intern, Trainee, and Teacher programs.
• Experience with SEVIS and exchange program compliance requirements.

Preferred:

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Experience overseeing multi-program portfolios within J-1 exchange visitor programs.
• Background in program evaluation, data analysis, or reporting.

Key Competencies

• Leadership and team development
• Regulatory compliance and risk management
• Program operations and process management
• Analytical thinking and data-driven decision-making
• Communication and stakeholder engagement
• Problem-solving and escalation management
• Attention to detail and organizational skills