CIEE Council on International Educational Exchange
Director of Internship Placements London
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Director of Internship Placements
Location: London, United Kingdom
Employment Type: Full-time
Reports to: The London Centre Director
Position Overview
The Director of Internship Placements is responsible for leading, developing, and delivering the organization's internship placement programme for American students studying abroad in London. This is a hands-on leadership role combining strategic planning with day-to-day operational management.
The Director will personally cultivate employer relationships, oversee student placements, manage UKVI and BUNAC visa compliance, and ensure that each internship provides a high-quality educational and professional experience. Working closely with U.S. university partners, London-based employers, students, and internal teams, the Director will ensure the programme continues to grow while maintaining the highest standards of compliance and student support.
This role is ideal for an experienced professional who enjoys balancing strategic leadership with direct involvement in programme delivery and relationship management.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and implement the organisation's internship placement strategy in line with institutional objectives.
- Identify opportunities to expand internship opportunities across a diverse range of industries and sectors.
- Set annual department goals, budgets, and key performance indicators.
- Monitor programme performance and implement continuous improvements.
- Contribute to the organisation's wider strategic planning and programme development.
- Represent CIEE at employer events, professional networking activities, and university conferences.
Employer Development & Partnership Management
- Personally develop, maintain, and strengthen relationships with employers throughout London and the UK.
- Identify and secure new internship opportunities aligned with students' academic disciplines and career goals.
- Conduct employer meetings, networking activities, and site visits.
- Negotiate internship opportunities and placement agreements.
- Maintain excellent employer satisfaction and long-term partnerships.
Internship Placement Operations
- Lead the full internship placement process from student applications through to successful placement.
- Interview and advise students regarding internship opportunities.
- Match students with suitable employers based on academic requirements, career aspirations, and employer expectations.
- Coordinate interviews and placement offers.
- Monitor placement progress and proactively resolve issues affecting students or employers.
- Maintain accurate placement records and reporting.
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Student Support & Career Development
- Prepare students for internships through individual advising, interview coaching, CV and cover letter guidance, and professional development workshops.
- Support students throughout their internships, conduct regular check-ins and respond to concerns.
- Promote intercultural awareness and professional workplace expectations.
- Ensure students maximize the educational and professional value of their placements.
Visa Compliance & Regulatory Management
- Serve as the organization's lead for internship placement compliance.
- Maintain expert knowledge of UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) regulations affecting internship programs.
- Manage all aspects of the BUNAC visa sponsorship process relating to internship placements.
- Advise students, employers, and university partners on visa requirements and placement eligibility.
- Monitor changes in UK immigration legislation and ensure organizational compliance.
- Maintain all required compliance documentation and records.
- Support audits and regulatory reporting where required.
University & Institutional Partnerships
- Act as the primary contact for internship-related matters with U.S. university partners.
- Collaborate with academic staff to ensure internships satisfy learning objectives and programme requirements.
- Provide placement reports and programme updates to institutional partners.
- Participate in university visits and partner meetings where appropriate.
Team Leadership
- Lead and support internship placement staff, providing coaching, mentoring, and professional development.
- Manage departmental workload and resources effectively.
- Foster a collaborative, student-focused culture.
- Where appropriate, directly manage internship coordinators and administrative staff while remaining actively involved in daily operations.
Quality Assurance & Programme Development
- Evaluate employer and student feedback to improve programme quality.
- Track placement outcomes, student satisfaction, and employer engagement.
- Develop new employer partnerships and innovative internship opportunities.
- Produce regular reports on programme performance and strategic objectives.
Qualifications & Experience
Essential
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Human Resources, International Education, Higher Education Administration, or a related field.
- At least 5 years' professional experience in internship placements, study abroad, career services, experiential learning, graduate recruitment, or international education.
- Significant experience placing international students into internships.
- Demonstrable experience building employer partnerships and business relationships.
- Strong working knowledge of UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) regulations affecting international student placements.
- Proven experience working with the BUNAC visa sponsorship programme, including visa processes, compliance requirements, and employer obligations.
- Experience interpreting immigration guidance and ensuring organisational compliance.
- Experience leading teams while remaining operationally involved in programme delivery.
- Excellent organisational, project management, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
- Experience developing employer engagement strategies.
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Desirable
- Master's degree in a relevant discipline.
- Experience working with American colleges and universities.
- Knowledge of J-1 visa exchange programmes and international mobility.
- Experience with CRM or student placement management systems.
Key Competencies
- Strategic and operational leadership.
- Strong knowledge of UKVI regulations and BUNAC sponsorship processes.
- Employer engagement and business development.
- Student advising and career development.
- Regulatory compliance and risk management.
- Relationship building and stakeholder management.
- Team leadership and mentoring.
- Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills.
- Commercial awareness and programme growth.
- Commitment to exceptional student experiences and service excellence.
Why Join Us?
“You will shape the future of an established international internship program, building partnerships with leading employers, strengthening relationships with U.S. universities, and helping students gain transformative professional experience in London. This role offers the opportunity to combine strategic leadership with meaningful day-to-day engagement, making a tangible impact on students' academic, personal, and professional development.”
Please note that CIEE is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this role.
Please send your CV and cover letter (required) to Claire Kibblewhite on ckibblewhite@ciee.org
Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.
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