Director, Richmond Institute for Design + Innovation (RIDI)

The Richmond Institute for Design + Innovation (RIDI) at Western Michigan University invites applications for the position of Director beginning no later than July 2023. This is a salaried, fiscal year administrative appointment with the rank of Full Professor.

RIDI exists to advance pioneering, positive, and productive design solutions to real-world problems by partnering learners with professionals in support of the creative economy in SW Michigan and beyond. The Director is the leader who ensures that RIDI remains mission-focused.

Major Duties:

Serve as the unit administrator and oversee day-to-day activities related to excellence in teaching, research and outreach while enhancing visibility of RIDI locally, nationally, and internationally

Develop new and sustain existing community relationships, corporate partnerships, and curricular pathways

Engage actively with K-12 students, administration, teachers, and counselors to enhance the design education experiences that prepare learners to attend RIDI

Foster strong connections between academic activities, research/creative scholarship, and sponsored research

Further the mission/vision, strategic plan, and brand positioning for RIDI, including the development of digital marketing and communication materials

Optimize use of facilities for both the interior design and the product design program(s) housed by RIDI

Provide academic management and administrative leadership for faculty/staff development, program development and assessment, strategic planning, budgeting within a resource center budget model, public relations, and fundraising

Provide leadership for recruitment and retention of diverse students, staff, and faculty

Serve as a liaison to administration, alumni, and the community

Serve as part of the College of Fine Arts leadership team

Supervise and evaluate faculty and staff

Teach annually, as needed and available

Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduate degree or international equivalent in a design field or related area (i.e. PhD, MFA, mpd2, M.Arch)

Ability to be tenured as a Full Professor at WMU

3 years of administrative responsibilities

Application:

Include a current CV, a cover letter of no more than three (3) pages that demonstrates your experience(s) with the listed major duties, and a list of five references one of which must be your most recent supervisor. References will not be contacted without prior approval. Upload to: https://www.wmujobs.org/postings/189

Western Michigan University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer consistent with applicable federal and state law. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.