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[newworld]

I am looking into a transfer from a FT TT faculty member position (US) into a FT RD position in Europe and would appreciate any insights and feedback re: the typical hiring procedures for this post, salary expectation (incl. benefits, retirement, relocation and on-site housing expenses etc.) and room of negotiation for this position.  As salary figures for FT TT U.S. RD's (i.e. FT TT faculty members who stay for a semester or academic year) seem to be based on the faculty's home institution salary +10% (roughly), what can a RD in Europe expect who moves abroad permanently? The numbers cited by the chronicle (for Directors in International Ed) sound enticing... are they accurate? And, can a European RD be compared to a Director in Int'l Ed? Also, how are issues such as rank and promotion handled (if at all?) in this position? Do they carry over?
 

[boggy]

questions, questions, questions!

I did exactly what you refer to a few years back....moved from FT tenured US faculty (highly selective SLAC) to resident director in Europe.  I interviewed at several places and they are all completely different.  One large R1 state school wanted me to be in charge of 300 students and the entire program yet wanted to pay next to nothing (about $65k once converted....far less than I was already making) and I would have had to live in the most expensive city in Europe. Not a chance.  Some places treat this position as one of high importance, with lots of responsibility and a salary to match (think >$100k easily), some treat the position as fairly low on the heirarchy.  Make sure you check out their office of international studies structure to see how senior you would be.  The Director of International Ed will be above your position, so don't expect quite those salaries.

Hiring proceedure would likely follow the same process as on campus, benefits should closely mirror those you would get in the USA, full relocation etc.  I doubt they would give you housing assistance if it was a permanent move.

I found the main criteria these positions are looking for include 1) experience absolutely critical (have you run a program before?) 2) cultural fluency (are you originally from this area?  speaking the language is a must) 3) management experience 4) evidence of having worked closely with students.

PM me if you want more specific information.

[newworld]

I appreciate your helpful feedback, boggy. The position in question is advertised by a NFP org serving US students ranging from R1 to LAC etc. institutions. As you know, the responsibilities are many for the RD and would also include building/adding new program components. I am already quite familiar and experienced w/ the criteria through my FT tenured job (academic and study abroad advising, new program admin/management, linguistic and cultural fluency) and would love the new challenges involved with the RD post (or will I regret 'giving up' my FT tenured job...?) How are arrangements done if family members are involved (i.e. spouses' job, kids' school)? Which countries tax laws applied to you - US or target culture?
Any other insights you wish to share are welcome.

[boggy]

Yeah, the responsibilities can be many for these RD jobs, but I actually like the variability.  I am basically in charge of all finance, academic, logistic, program development, handholding, helicopter parent response unit etc.  Most jobs will be like that but depending on the size of the program you will have staff for delegation.

I miss the comradierie of my former TT job.  I miss the research.  I do not miss living where I was, and that is what precipitated the move (plus the nightmare of US immigration).

As for taxes, if you are a US citizen you still must file US taxes, but as most European countries have a tax treaty with the US you don't pay twice....you generally pay the highest rate of the two, which in most cases will be the European country.  There is also about the first $90,000 earned outside the country that is considered tax free (to the US).  This didn't apply to me as I'm not a US citizen.

I really doubt they would do anything regarding your spouses job or your kids school.