Job Description: School of Design Program Chair

Overview

Seeking an innovative and visionary School of Design Program Chair to lead our design programs and foster a culture of creativity, empathy, and technological advancement. As the departmental program chair, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of design education, research, and practice. This position requires a visionary leader who can foster innovation, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and drive excellence in design education. The successful candidate will have expertise in design thinking, graphic design, industrial design, and knowledge of artificial intelligence (AI) to prepare our students for the dynamic landscape of the digital design age.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide overall leadership and vision for the development of comprehensive design programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Develop a forward-thinking vision for design education that integrates design thinking principles with AI advancements.
• Align program goals with the strategic objectives of the college and institute.
• Foster an inclusive and collaborative environment that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary approaches.
• Champion creativity, diversity, and ethical design practices.
• Collaborate with faculty, industry leaders, and researchers to create synergies between design, technology, and AI-driven innovation.

Curriculum Development

• Oversee the design and implementation of curriculum, ensuring alignment with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices.
• Infuse design thinking methodologies into the curriculum across various design disciplines.
• Develop courses that explore the intersection of design and AI.
• Promote a human-centered and evidence-based hands-on practical approach to design education.

Faculty and Student Engagement

• Attract and retain top-tier faculty who are passionate about design and AI. Mentor faculty in integrating cutting-edge technologies into their teaching.
• Provide guidance to students on design projects, research, and AI applications. Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Enhance student experiences through innovative pedagogical approaches, industry partnerships, and experiential learning opportunities.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the classroom and student body.

Industry Partnerships

• Represent the School of Design externally, building relationships industry professionals, alumni, and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate with local and global design communities to enhance the school’s reputation and impact.
• Explore joint research projects, internships, and real-world design challenges.
• Keep abreast of AI trends, emerging technologies, and industry demands. Translate insights into actionable strategies.

Qualifications

• A master’s or doctoral degree in relevant field (e.g., design, design thinking and innovation, or related discipline).
• Significant experience in design leadership, research, or industry roles with a portfolio of representation of work.
• Proficiency in design thinking methodologies and their application.
• Familiarity with AI concepts and machine learning as it relates to design innovation and thinking.
• Ability to collaborate across disciplines and inspire innovation.
• Leadership and administrative skills, including budget management, team building and strategic planning.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.