University of Wisconsin-Madison k Hiring for Academic Director for the Masters in Design + Innovation Program at Madison, WI Full Time

Job Description

The Masters in Design + Innovation (MDI) Program is an interdisciplinary, 1-year program in
collaboration with the School of Human Ecology, College of Engineering, Wisconsin School of
Business, iSchool and Art Department. The program gives students the skills to solve complex
problems using creativity. With a core of human-centered design, the program brings together
faculty and perspectives from across campus to produce well-rounded designers, entrepreneurs, strategists and innovation leaders.

The Academic Director will work collaboratively with the MDI program steering committee to
establish a vision for the program. The Academic Director will also work closely with the MDI Program Director (housed in the College of Engineering) on operational issues such as program finances, data, governance and support services. The Academic Director will be the chair of the program’s Steering Committee, which consists of faculty and staff from the collaborating Schools, Colleges and Departments. This position will also be responsible for admissions, industry partnerships and advisory board, academic and career advising for student success, among other academic needs of the MDI program. The position will supervise and direct staff in support of the program growth.

While this position does not include teaching entire courses, it will involve active collaboration with the instructors of the core and elective courses in the program. The MDI Program had its first cohort in 2020 and aims to have a class size of approximately 30 students. More information can be found here: https://mdi.wisc.edu/

RESPONSIBILITES
Provides leadership and managerial responsibility for one or more academic program(s), ensuring alignment with the university mission. Directs administrative oversight and academic curriculum development, ensuring optimal integration of student and faculty activities. Ensures resource allocation supports the program’s primary objectives. Manages a team of professionals who support the program(s).

• Manages student academic program
• Collaborates with faculty members to develop student academic programs and agendas,
directs implementation, and creates curricular structure including operational and logistical
arrangements
• Formulates program strategies and goals, directs long-term planning, develops policies and
procedures, and establishes and maintains new and emerging program materials
• Evaluates operations and outcomes to ensure alignment with organizational goals
• Serves as the principal liaison between the program, University leadership, and outside
Entities
• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting,
managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or
approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
• May provide guidance to faculty regarding funding, staffing, and space implications
• Develops the unit budget and approves unit expenditures

EDUCATION
• Master’s Degree Required.
• At least one undergraduate or graduate degree in the broader field of design including, but not limited to, industrial design, product design, visual communication, interior design, architecture, design strategy, engineering, and art.

QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
• 5 years or more of experience in design from a related discipline, either in industry or academics
• Demonstrated expertise in design thinking and/or design strategy.
Preferred:
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build partnerships with diverse groups of faculty and students.
• Innovative and entrepreneurial mindsets and an interest or a proven record in building a program.
• Teaching experience at a university.
• Experience in a leadership and/or administrative role in higher education and/or industry