Joseph Ballay Center for Design Fusion: Director of the Center

Carnegie Mellon University•Pittsburgh, PA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Design seeks a Director to lead the Joseph Ballay Center for Design Fusion. The Center extends the School of Design’s reach by coordinating campus design course offerings, professional education, sponsored projects, and collaborations. It builds on existing campus courses, workshops, external professional education engagements, sponsored projects, and partnerships with university leadership and major initiatives. The Director will work closely with the Head of the School of Design, faculty, administrative staff, students, and university offices to refine existing offerings and projects and develop new on- and off-campus partnerships. The role also involves identifying viable funding opportunities and coordinating educational activities that complement the School’s agenda. The Director will further develop the Center’s mission, vision, business plan, public profile, and brand positioning, while overseeing its operations, projects, and contributors. The position requires a leader who can engage effectively and with integrity with a varied population of internal and external partners. Inclusion, collaboration, cultural sensitivity, flexibility, excellence, and a commitment to supporting the university’s mission are valued. The role normally works during business hours, with occasional evening and weekend work, and may require occasional travel to or work at off-campus or remote locations.

Requirements

Master’s degree; a doctorate is preferred. A combination of education and relevant professional experience demonstrating comparable knowledge may be considered.
5–8 years of experience in a leadership role managing ongoing relationships and serving as a primary liaison with corporate and foundation representatives, faculty, academic and administrative leadership, and other stakeholders.
5–8 years of experience identifying, analyzing, and communicating information relevant to developing successful relationships with corporate and foundation prospects.
5–8 years of experience developing, implementing, and evaluating strategies and programs to identify new relationships.
5–8 years of experience managing budgets efficiently while maintaining accurate and auditable records.
Experience as a seasoned leader of a center or business, with strong development skills; higher education experience is preferred.
Ability to interact effectively and with integrity with diverse internal and external partners; inclusion, collaboration, and cultural sensitivity are valued.
Ability to adapt to change, work well with others, respond to and manage emergencies or crises, maintain confidentiality and discretion, and handle sensitive information.
Ability to maintain attention to detail and accurate records, remain composed in difficult situations, meet deadlines under pressure and interruptions, follow directions, prioritize work, and manage multiple tasks.
Visual acuity for extended computer-monitor use, reading, transcribing, data analysis, visual inspection, and related close-vision tasks.
Successful background check.
OSHA Hazardous Materials Safety Training.

Nice To Haves

Doctorate degree.
Experience in a higher education setting.

Responsibilities

Pursue sustained growth opportunities, including transdisciplinary, design-led research projects involving students and faculty across CMU departments and industry and nonprofit partners.
Develop and coordinate workshops, symposia, and conferences for internal and external audiences.
Work with the Head of the School of Design, faculty, staff, students, and CMU offices to develop the Center’s public profile, mission, vision, business plan, brand positioning, and promotional materials.
Build strategic relationships with industry and nonprofit partners to create funding opportunities, sponsored projects, and collaborations.
Coordinate with CFA Advancement staff, the CMU Center for Business Engagement and Foundation Relations Offices, the Office of Sponsored Programs, and the Office of Research & Creative Practice at CFA.
Work with faculty, including new and existing adjuncts, to develop, coordinate, and oversee courses, professional education, and other educational activities.
Ensure educational offerings are relevant and meet the objectives of the School of Design and CMU; coordinate customized classes or course and project modules with faculty across campus.
As needed, teach and facilitate courses or workshops.
Oversee the Center’s day-to-day activities, including Center management, development of research and project proposals, project oversight, and recruitment and coordination of faculty, staff, and students.
Collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to encourage engagement in the Center through teaching, education, and research opportunities.
Oversee appropriate use of third-party and University funds and maintain accurate financial records and reports.
Plan, monitor, and manage budgets and support the successful operational results of the Center.
Perform other duties as assigned.