Joseph Ballay Center for Design Fusion: Director of the Center

About the Role

The School of Design is a global leader for strategic design innovation—for Carnegie Mellon University and beyond—as the essential and fundamentally cross-functional problem-solving mindset and skill set to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The School is one of the world’s top-ranked design programs, offering degrees at the undergraduate, masters and doctoral levels. The Joseph Ballay Center for Design Fusion extends the reach of the School of Design and serves as a formal, coordinated design presence on campus to help meet growing demand for design methods and processes across CMU and with external partners. The Center operates as the central administrative hub for coordinating CMU campus design course offerings, professional education, and sponsored projects and collaborations. It is funded through a generous donation from Joseph Ballay (Professor Emeritus, former Head of School, MAYA Design founder, and CMU alumnus).

As initial successes corresponding to the aspirations of the Center, the School of Design has provided various course offerings and workshops to constituents across the Carnegie Mellon campus and delivered several professional education engagements with outside organizations. Critically, the center has served as a strategic partner for leadership and major initiatives. Additionally, the School of Design has a long-established history of sponsored and collaborative projects intersecting with faculty research and class/studio instruction that has now been organized through the Center. The new Director will build upon this existing momentum by working closely with the Head of the School of Design, key faculty, and administrative staff. In addition to refining current offerings and projects, the Director will be responsible for developing new partnerships on and off campus, investigating viable funding opportunities, and developing and coordinating educational activities that complement the agenda of the School of Design.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Head of the School of Design, faculty, staff, and students, in consultation with various CMU offices, to develop the Center’s public profile by further developing the mission/vision, business plan, and brand positioning for the Center, including the development of promotional materials.
• Build strategic relationships with industry and nonprofit partners that lead to funding opportunities, sponsored projects, and meaningful collaborations, working closely with the College of Fine Arts (CFA) Advancement staff, CMU Center for Business Engagement and Foundation Relations Offices, Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), and the Office of Research & Creative Practice at CFA.
• Work closely with faculty, including new and existing adjuncts, to develop, coordinate, and oversee delivery of courses, professional education, and other educational activities, ensuring that courses are relevant and meet the objectives of the School of Design and CMU. This may include working with faculty across campus to plan and deliver customized classes or modules within courses and projects. The Director may also engage directly in teaching and course/workshop facilitation.
• Oversee day-to-day activities such as management of the Center; developing research/project proposals; overseeing projects; and recruiting and coordinating faculty, staff, and students who work through the Center.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to ensure their engagement and participation in the life of the Center through teaching, education, and research opportunities.
• Pursue ongoing opportunities for sustained growth, including the potential for expansion through transdisciplinary, design-led research projects with students and faculty from across CMU departments, and both industry and nonprofit partners.
• Develop and coordinate workshops, symposia, and conferences inviting a range of internal and external audiences.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required; Doctorate degree preferred. A combination of education and professional relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.
• 5–8 years’ 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 key stakeholders.
• 5–8 years’ experience identifying, analyzing, and communicating information relevant to developing successful relationships with corporate and foundation prospects.
• 5–8 years’ experience developing, implementing, and evaluating strategies and programs to identify new relationships.
• 5–8 years’ experience managing budgets efficiently while maintaining accurate and auditable records.
• A seasoned leader of a Center or business with strong development skills, preferably in a higher education setting.

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Adaptability and openness to change as the department and organization evolves.
• Ability to work well with others and/or as part of a team.
• Ability to respond to and manage emergency situations and/or crisis.
• Ability to work with sensitive information, maintain confidentiality and use discretion.
• Ability to pay close attention to detail; keep and maintain accurate and detailed reports and records.
• Ability to maintain composure when dealing with difficult situations and/or individuals.
• Ability to meet deadlines, work under pressure and with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to understand and follow directions.
• Ability to prioritize work and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Visual acuity to perform activities such as extended use of a computer monitor, extensive reading, transcribing, analyzing data and figures, visual inspection involving small defects, small parts and/or operation of machines, using measurement devices, and/or assembly of parts at distances close to the eye.

Decision Making

Decisions have implications on management and operations of a unit or department. Job may contribute to important strategy, operation and business decisions. Decisions have implications on management and operations of a college or division. Job contributes to important strategy, operation and business decisions.

Working Conditions

Required to work normal business hours; evening and weekend work may occasionally be required. Required to occasionally travel to and/or work at off-campus or remote locations.

Accountability

• Accountable for appropriate oversight and usage of third party and/or University funds.
• Accountable for maintenance and accuracy of General Ledger and the analysis and preparation of accurate managerial reports and financial statements.
• Assists in planning, monitoring, and/or managing budget in a work unit or department.
• Responsible for planning, monitoring and managing budget in a department or multiple departments.
• Accountable for the successful completion of individual goals and priorities.
• Accountable for operational results of a work unit or department.

Direction

Performs a variety of routine work within established policies and procedures, and receives detailed instructions on new projects and assignments. Establishes methods and procedures for attaining specific goals and objectives, and receives guidance in terms of broad goals.

Supervision Authority

Authority to direct and oversee the work activities of others. Has authority to undertake or recommend employment actions. Authority to direct the work activities of managers and/or supervisors with functional responsibilities. Has authority to undertake or recommend employment actions.

Requirements

• Successful background check
• OSHA – Hazardous Materials Safety Training

Benefits

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Additional perks include tuition benefits, ample paid time off and observed holidays, life and accidental death and disability insurance, a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to a Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more.

Position Details

• Location: Pittsburgh, PA