Site Director Tokyo

Division: EF Study Abroad and EF Gap Year

We’re looking for a Site Director to support EF’s study abroad and gap year programs. This role will
be based in Tokyo, Japan.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

The Site Directors primary role is to ensure the successful execution of all ground logistics for any
study abroad or gap year programs in Tokyo beginning February 2025, largely with U.S. students
ages 18-22 years old.
This may include programs that relate to U.S. students studying at Oberlin University, U.S. students
studying at an EF Language School in Tokyo, or U.S. students studying and traveling with their
professors throughout Japan.
Together with a Student Life Coordinator and Field Director, the Site Director will manage the onthe-ground logistics of running the program, to ensure the students will be successful, engaged, safe,
and academically progress throughout the duration of their study abroad or gap year program.

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Provide local oversight of the program responsibilities to ensure the smooth coordination of
student support and program logistics such as meals, accommodation, transport, and
activities

• Represent EF Study Abroad and EF Gap Year through formal and informal contact with the
Oberlin University and other university partners, including their administrators, staff, and
faculty

• Advise students on local customs and academic policies, and support their cross-cultural
adaptation to their host setting

• Liaise with local partners and suppliers (Hotels, Restaurants, Guides etc.)

• Serve as a primary point of contact for troubleshooting academic program logistics, crosscultural support, and student emergencies

• Work collaboratively to support the safety and well-being of students and manage escalated
emergencies

• Lead engaging and experiential activities

• Facilitate the inclusion of every person on the program and advance EF Study Abroad’s
overall DEIB efforts

• Assist students in meeting their academic goals through regular progress checks throughout
the academic term

• Serve as the official point of contact for visiting EF staff and U.S. sending schools, including
faculty from EF’s university partners looking to make an initial site visit

• Work in partnership with the Student Life Coordinator to manage the quality of the program
product, hotels, and activities

• Prepare and submit regular program status reports to EF Zurich and Cambridge staff

• Work with both EF Zurich Operations teams, and Product Development and Customer
Teams in the U.S. to funnel insights about programming or co-curricular opportunities for
future programs

• Continuously expand EF local knowledge of the region, including but limited to suppliers and
logistics of the area

• Review processes and approaches with an eye to continuously improve efficiency, quality,
cost, and ultimately customer experience

• Support students, at times, during non-traditional hours like evenings and weekends.

WHO YOU ARE:
You are passionate about international education, dedicated to fostering a supportive learning
environment, and possess strong leadership and organizational skills. You’re someone who loves
details and execution. You bring vision to life to create a beautiful experience. You thrive from
challenges and problem-solving.

Requirements:

• Top skills we’re looking for: Communication, Problem Solving, Customer Experience,
Logistics and Organizational Skills

• Fluent in English and Japanese

• Location expertise – experience with and understanding of the local host setting, culture and
Japanese higher education

• Strong understanding of U.S. higher education, gained through hands-on experience working
with US university students and faculty

• Must have a valid passport and Permit to work / live in Japan

• Excellent leadership, communication, organisational , and interpersonal skills

• Ability to prioritize, take action & work well under pressure

• Enthusiasm, positivity, resilience and a ‘nothing-is-impossible' attitude

Preferred qualifications:

• A strong interest or experience in working in international education and/or the travel
industry

• International travel experience

• Familiarity with Forum Standards of Good Practice in Education Abroad

Timing Commitments:

• This is a permanent position to begin early 2025, to be discussed

• There may be an additional need to provide light support for U.S. student information
sessions in March/April of 2025, to be further discussed.

About EF Education First 

At EF we believe that the world is better when people try to understand one another. Since 1965, we have helped millions of people see new places, experience new cultures, and learn new things about the world and about themselves. Our culturally immersive education programs—focused on language, travel, cultural exchange, and academics—turn dreams into international opportunities.

When you join EF, you join a multicultural and diverse community working across more than 600 schools and offices in 50 countries, all with one shared mission of opening the world through education. Whoever you are, whatever you are passionate about—we welcome you and want you to bring that to work every day. EF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to inclusion and belonging across race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, caste, parental status, identity, experience and everything else that makes you unique.

Founded in Sweden in 1965, EF has schools and offices around the world, including hubs in Boston, London, Mexico City, São Paulo, Shanghai, Stockholm, Zürich, and more. Learn more at https://www.ef.com.