Global Talent Retention Initiative Program Director
Request for applicants | January 2025
About Global Detroit
Global Detroit is a regional economic and community development organization. We develop and implement immigrant-inclusive strategies to drive the growth, revitalization and broadly shared prosperity of Detroit and Southeast Michigan.
Cities and regions that are welcoming to immigrants are vibrant. They have strong neighborhoods, competitive companies, successful small businesses, and a rich and diverse cultural life. By intentionally including immigrants in our economic development strategies, we aim to spark growth, revitalization and sustained prosperity in Detroit and throughout Southeast Michigan. We work as trusted connectors, architects of ideas and change agents to build a high-growth, prosperous and inclusive regional economy.
Joining the Global Detroit Team
Global Detroit is a nationally recognized leader in building inclusive economic development strategies that begin with immigrant families and entrepreneurs, as well as international students and global talent, and lead to lasting change for our region. We are a group of thinkers and doers from Detroit and all over the world. We work strategically to build an equitable economy where immigrants are valued and meaningfully included. As a member of the Global Detroit team, you will have a chance to flex your creative muscles, step outside of what is expected and find new solutions to old problems. We welcome energetic and innovative thought leaders to apply!
Position Overview
The Program Director of Global Detroit’s Global Talent Retention Initiative (GTRI) leads a dynamic team of individuals operating a national-leading international student retention initiative. Over a decade ago, Global Detroit worked with the region’s top research universities and private sector partners to launch GTRI as the nation’s first international student retention program outside of university to connect the considerable international student talent emerging from these universities with unmet talent needs among the region’s employers, especially in high-skilled STEM positions. With new State of Michigan investment into this initiative, as well as even more dire talent shortages, GTRI is poised to expand statewide.
The GTRI Program Director will manage a statewide team of three to six individuals, as well as several external contracts to assist in corporate outreach. The GTRI Program Director will report to Global Detroit’s Director of Global Talent Initiatives. This position is based in Michigan and will work out of the Detroit office.
Responsibilities
- Lead the strategic direction of Global Detroit’s Global Talent Retention Initiative (GTRI) across the State of Michigan; working closely with the Global Talent Initiatives Director and Global Detroit’s executive team to ensure that goals within this program are producing mission critical outcomes.
- Help the organization to communicate the value proposition of GTRI, including collecting and reporting data and stories to document impacts and outcomes.
- Coordinate with the Global Talent Initiatives Director to improve the work, strengthen the team, and fill gaps.
- Work with Global Talent Initiatives Director to supervise GTRI program managers by co-creating annual personal and performance goals and developing accountability measures that are tailored to the working style of each person. Establish feedback loops to ensure that the team and the organization are adapting in response to what we learn through anecdotal feedback, data and reporting. Current staffing plans include four program managers members working on
GTRI.
- Help the organization to communicate the value proposition of GTRI, including collecting and reporting data and stories to document impacts and outcomes.
- Develop and manage relationships with external partners critical to the success of GTRI, including universities, international student groups, ethnic associations, employers, industry groups, chambers, economic development agencies, human resources organizations and public sector agencies.
- Work to ensure that GTRI is responsive, racially equitable, culturally competent and results driven, as well as structured to drive regional systems change.
- Identify and work with Global Talent Initiatives Director and Global Detroit executive team to pursue earned revenue opportunities, government contracts and grants, and philanthropic resources to support GTRI.
- Work with both the executive team and program staff to identify research opportunities for this work arena, as well as opportunities to demonstrate thought leadership (e.g., speaking engagements, webinar presentations, white papers, blogs, etc.) and collaborate with peer organizations in other states and cities to further develop global talent initiatives within the emerging field of inclusive economic development work.
Required Skills and Experience
To fulfill this role successfully, we are looking for candidates with the following:
- Minimum bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college or has demonstrated success in navigating human resource departments, talent recruitment processes, hiring policies – examples might include recruitment, employer engagement, management and/or sales
- Minimum two years of experience in nonprofit management, project management, international education, talent acquisition, corporate engagement or related field
- Strong team management skills and experience with ability to motivate, coordinate and support a team working on innovative programs
- Strong planning, organizational and project management skills with the ability to set priorities, plan, prioritize and coordinate activities
- Strong ability to build relationships; outgoing and engaging with great interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to attend after hours events and travel, as needed
- Able to make decisions, while remaining adaptable in a fast-paced and evolving workplace
- Flexibility and openness to adjust to a fast-paced and evolving workplace
- Self-starter, ability to multitask, and manage demands on time
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity and able to perform in multicultural settings; exhibits cultural competency with a range of diverse stakeholders including international students, corporations, immigrants and other minorities
Desired Skills and Experience
- Masters degree and/or experience in business environments
- Knowledge of Michigan corporate, business, economic development and HR communities
- Experience with contact management software, as well as other project management software tools
- Comfortable giving presentations and adapting messages based on the audience
- Knowledge of U.S. immigration policy, especially employment-based visas
- Foreign language abilities and international cultural experiences are a plus
Required Writing Sample
To be considered for this role, all candidates must address in their cover letter the following writing sample topic.
The Global Talent Retention Initiative (GTRI) has achieved notable success in building partnerships with Michigan universities and maintaining a robust pipeline of international students, particularly those with STEM degrees, seeking employment opportunities. However, a key area for growth lies in strengthening connections with Michigan employers to encourage the hiring of international students.
In 500 words or less, describe the strategies you would implement as the GTRI Program Director to expand employer engagement and promote the hiring of international students in Michigan.
In your response, emphasize how you would integrate Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) principles, with a specific focus on fostering Inclusion, into your approach.
Equal Opportunity Employment Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or any other protected status.
Salary and Benefits
This position is a full-time (40 hours/week) salaried position. Salary will range between $70,350 and $84,000 per year, depending on experience, and will include benefits. The Global Detroit team is currently working remotely, but this position will ultimately be based in Detroit, with the option for hybrid hours (partial office time, partial remote).
Global Detroit offers a comprehensive health care plan, including vision and dental; a retirement plan with a 2% employer contribution; 16 days of PTO for starting employees and 11 paid holidays. Global Detroit employees also enjoy time off for a winter break between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Other Benefits
Bi-Monthly Payment Structure
Annual Salary Review
Paid Time Off (Vacation, Personal and Sick Time)
Flex Time
Paid Sick Leave
Health Insurance
Professional Development and Training Opportunities
Salary Bands
In order to promote transparency and reduce bias for salary comparisons across Global Detroit and provide a clearer understanding of promotion pathways and expectations, we have implemented salary bands (pay ranges established for each role that rank job pay by experience, education and level of responsibility, and provide opportunities for more effective pay management). Global Detroit has salary bands for each full-time position. The Fund Development and Grant Manager is in the Grade 3: Director of Programs salary band.
To Apply
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. For additional information on Global Detroit visit www.globaldetroitmi.org. If you have questions, please contact Ashleigh Stagg at ashleigh@globaldetroitmi.org.