Academic Programs Specialist

WorldStrides is hiring a Full Time Academic Programs Specialist in the United States to connect university partners with experiential learning that meets faculty standards and course goals. If you thrive at the intersection of curriculum design, client partnership, and global education, this Academic Programs Specialist role offers meaningful impact across higher education programs.

The Opportunity

WorldStrides leads educational travel and experiential learning, serving more than half a million students each year across more than 100 countries through programs spanning educational travel, performing arts, language immersion, career exploration, service-learning, study abroad, and sports. As Academic Programs Specialist, you report to the Director or Senior Director of Account Management and act as the main point of contact for university partners. You own the academic direction and curriculum fit for faculty-led programs so every experience supports clear learning outcomes and faculty expectations.

Your Responsibilities

• Convert course objectives, learning outcomes, and academic aims into coherent program designs
• Advise faculty on structure, themes, and content, and guide planning calls and academic briefings
• Create experiential learning programs that map tightly to curriculum and stated objectives
• Confirm that visits, panels, projects, strategy challenges, and educational content reinforce required outcomes
• Uphold academic rigor and consistency across all engagements
• Cultivate durable relationships with university partners and manage expectations, timelines, and deliverables
• Resolve partner concerns promptly and elevate issues when necessary for a polished client experience
• Coordinate with Sales and Account Management on proposals and positioning, and with Global Partnerships on engagement briefs grounded in academic needs
• Share insight on feasibility, sector trends, and academic innovation
• Monitor higher education trends and emerging topics, build destination and program materials with current global context, and serve as a strategic resource for faculty pursuing impactful global experiences
• Run multiple programs at once, hit deadlines, and keep precise records in CRM (Dynamics) and internal systems

Who We're Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree and three or more years in higher education, international education, experiential learning, faculty engagement, academic partnerships, or client relationship management
• Background supporting study abroad, global education, experiential learning, or faculty-led travel, plus familiarity with experiential learning principles, curriculum design, and learning outcome assessment
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, consultative, presentation, and facilitation skills with faculty, executives, and academic stakeholders
• Critical thinking, problem-solving, influence without authority, conflict resolution, and negotiation ability
• Self-motivation, adaptability in ambiguous settings, strong organization, detail focus, and skill juggling priorities in a fast-paced environment—alone and with diverse internal and external partners
• Comfort with CRM systems, virtual collaboration tools (Teams, Zoom), and Microsoft Office 365 (including Dynamics, SharePoint, OneNote, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Willingness to adjust hours for international time zones and client schedules, and to travel within the United States and abroad; global market awareness is helpful and can be developed

Why Join WorldStrides

Join a fun, driven team environment with comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage; life, AD&D, accident, critical illness, and disability insurance; FSA options; HSA with employer contribution; and a generous 401(k) match. Enjoy 11 paid floating corporate holidays, one paid volunteer day, up to 25 PTO days to start (accruing to 28 over three years), four mental health days, five bereavement days, paid parental, caregiver, and disability leave, tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 yearly, $1,000 toward professional certifications annually, paid and discounted travel opportunities, Employee Assistance Program, team member discounts, ERG and DEI council involvement, and fitness center and café access at select sites. WorldStrides is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusion, diversity, and sustainability; candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Apply Today

To apply, complete your application directly on this page, or you'll be redirected to the employer's application platform to finish submitting there.