Job Description

Founded in 1915, the Middlebury Language Schools at Middlebury College is a leader in immersive language education, where students, faculty, and staff live and study entirely in their target language. Central to the experience is the Language Pledge--a formal commitment to communicate only in the language of study. Each Schools blends rigorous academics with rich co-curricular activities that extend learning beyond the classroom. The School of Spanish is one of the largest and oldest, enrolling roughly 140 immersion and 80 graduate students each summer, and fostering a close, supportive community dedicated to mastery of the Spanish language and the diverse cultures of the Spanish-speaking world.



The Director of the School plans, directs, and supervises the instructional and co-curricular program, including lectures, films, concerts, and social events. They hire the School's faculty and staff, work with instructors to develop and implement curriculum, administer the School budget, supervise student progress, provide advice and support to students, faculty colleagues, and staff, and represent the School at professional meetings. They oversee the MA and DML programs, the summer graduate program in Buenos Aires, and provide input for the graduate program at the Schools Abroad.

Responsibilities

The Director spends the summer in full-time residence on the Vermont campus, where they oversee the instructional and co-curricular program and teach one organized course, if time allows. During the academic year, the Director works part-time to plan the curriculum, hire faculty and summer staff, evaluate and publicize the program, recruit students, and oversee the admissions process in collaboration with the Assistant Director.


The initial appointment is for three years. Directors submit an annual report in the fall of each year summarizing School performance for the summer, outlining goals for the next year, and articulating a vision for the School.



The criteria for evaluation are:

operation of the summer program quality of instruction exercise of fiscal responsibility promotion of curricular development recruitment of students effective representation of Middlebury College student satisfaction contribution to achieving the goals of the Language Schools.

For summer 2026, the Director Designate will shadow the current Director. Depending on the individual selected, this may range from a two-week in-residence period to full-summer participation. The Designate will assume the full Director role effective September 1, 2026. This is a 0.25 FTE (part-time, non-benefits-eligible) position.

Requirements

The Director should be a senior faculty member with tenure or tenure-eligible credentials in an established program.


They should have strong interpersonal skills and a background in language pedagogy and/or a related field of cultural studies. Experience with instructional technology, including AI, is desirable.


Candidates with significant experience in language teaching and with experience directing or coordinating a language program or in general administration are strongly preferred.

Applications received by November 30, 2025, will receive full consideration. Review will continue until the position is filled.

Middlebury College is an equal-opportunity employer where diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values. To this end, the College recruits talented and diverse faculty, staff, and students from across the United States and around the world. Middlebury College encourages applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, and members of other protected classes and historically underrepresented communities. The College also invites applications from individuals who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.