Dean of Students

POSITION DESCRIPTION: This position is based in Florence, Italy

Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici (LdM), an Italian institution of international higher education, invites applications for the position of Dean of Students. LdM offers undergraduate-level programs taught in English, grounded in U.S. academic frameworks, and designed to support a range of educational formats for a diverse and globally engaged student body.
Based in Florence, Italy, the Dean of Students serves as a resource, advocate, and liaison for students, faculty, staff, and community partners. The role collaborates across institutional offices to foster a holistic learning environment that promotes student development, personal growth, and intercultural understanding.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain LdM administrative presence during all orientation sessions and other critical periods throughout the academic calendar.
• Serve in a leadership role for student-related crisis response, maintaining availability as needed and providing oversight and support for academic, personal, and wellness concerns across the student experience.
• Uphold and adjudicate student conduct and community standards through clear communication, consistent enforcement, and fair resolution.
• Directly manage academic integrity cases in collaboration with academic leadership.
• Serve as the institutional liaison for compliance with applicable U.S. legislation and other international regulatory frameworks, as relevant.
• Oversee the evaluation and implementation of learning accommodations, in coordination with relevant departments, ensuring timely and equitable academic access.
• Coordinate among various LdM constituents and stakeholders to align academic and student service processes for seamless delivery.
• Promote the safety and security of community members through emergency preparedness, crisis management, and associated measures.
• Participate in campus leadership meetings and serve as the primary student services representative reporting directly to the President.
• Represent the institution in external relations, including as a point of contact with the U.S. Consulate and institutional partners.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s or doctoral degree in higher education, student affairs, international education, counseling, or other relevant field.
• Proven professional record in international education and/or student affairs/services at a postsecondary educational institution.
• Understanding of U.S. higher education legislation (e.g., ADA, Clery Act, FERPA, Title IV, Title IX, etc.) and its applicability, particularly in the context of study abroad.
• Superior critical thinking and communication (oral and written) skills, with the ability to multi-task and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Substantial intercultural sensitivity, particularly to North American and Italian cultures.
• Demonstrated professional maturity, discretion, and emotional intelligence in complex, dynamic situations.
• Capacity to remain calm and constructive in high-pressure, multicultural environments.
• In-depth cultural fluency within the context of international higher education and adaptability to Italian organizational culture.
• Must be legally authorized to work in Italy or hold EU citizenship
• Experience living, working, and/or studying abroad
• Italian language proficiency preferred

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Interested individuals should submit a cover letter, CV/resume, and 3 professional references to: hiring@lorenzodemedici.it

*** Applications must be submitted via email as instructed above. We kindly ask applicants to carefully review the listed qualifications before applying.

Please note:

Non-EU applicants should already possess valid legal authorization to work in Italy

COMPENSATION:

Compensation will be based on experience and qualifications; final terms will align with institutional policies and applicable employment regulations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This is an on-site position based in Florence’s historic city center; the role involves movement among academic buildings and navigating campus and city spaces with features typical of Florentine infrastructure and architecture.
The position blends periods of desk-based, computer-focused work with active, on-campus engagement. It requires adaptability to evolving student needs and operational adjustments (e.g., classroom changes, event logistics).

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:
Lorenzo de’ Medici welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all members of our community are respected and supported.

TERMS:

• Salary commensurate with experience
• Housing support and/or placement available
• An active presence is expected during high-volume periods, such as student arrival, orientation, and end-of-term transitions Participation in campus-wide events, student support activities, and institutional initiatives is considered part of the role’s core responsibilities
• Review of applications will begin immediately