Assistant Director, Design Thinking Initiative

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

Engineering

Job Description

This is an in-person, 2-year fixed-term position.

Essential Functions

STRATEGIC PARTNERING & COLLABORATION (40%)

• Work closely with the director to align DTI's programs with institutional priorities and goals.
• Create partnerships with academic departments and programs to support the integration of DTI's approach to design within students’ academic experience, including supporting interdisciplinary, project-based scholarship, applied problem-solving learning, and futures studies.
• Serve as a liaison between faculty, staff, and external stakeholders, identifying resources and partnerships within and beyond DTI.
• Work closely with the Collaborative Innovation Units Conway Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center, Wurtele Center for Leadership, and Reflective Practices) to support interdisciplinary initiatives and promote collaborative innovation, design thinking, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

FACULTY & CLASS SUPPORT (30%)

• Partner with faculty to design and deliver participatory design and hands-on making curriculum that enhance student learning and engagement.
• Provide logistical and technical support for integrating design and prototyping activities into classes and research projects.
• Offer workshops and consultations for faculty on incorporating design methodologies and prototyping practices into their work.
• In rotation with the Director of DTI, occasionally teach core courses offered by DTI & the Making Concentration.

PROGRAM DESIGN & FACILITATION (20%)

• Develop and implement strategies to promote and tell the story of DTI's offerings, highlighting our role as a space for experimentation and innovation.
• Collaborate with the Communications Partner and student workers to share stories of impactful projects through social media, newsletters, and events.
• Represent DTI at campus and external events to raise awareness of our resources and mission.

ADMINISTRATIVE (10%)

• Maintain a comprehensive map of design and making across campus, including courses, workshops, research projects, spaces, and other activities.
• Identify gaps and opportunities for expanding access to design and making resources for faculty and students.
• Administer, support, and analyze data from DTI's curricular enhancement programs.
• In partnership with the Prototyping Studio Manager, mentor up to 15 student workers, fostering their development as leaders and creative problem-solvers.
• In partnership with the Director and Communications Coordinator, develop the content to help tell DTI’s story with more breadth and depth to a wider range of audiences.

Minimum Qualifications (knowledge, skills, education, experience, certifications, licenses)

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience in design, education, innovation, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in program development, interdisciplinary collaboration, or faculty support in higher education or a similar setting.
• Demonstrated knowledge of human-centered design, design thinking, and hands-on making/prototyping methodologies.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships across diverse stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to build bridges across curricular and co-curricular programming.
• Experience and/or familiarity with a liberal arts undergraduate college environment.
• Proven experience designing and teaching real-world and team-based curricula grounded in the learning sciences.
• High aptitude for strategic thinking, program design, and project management, including a proven ability to see a project from conception through implementation.
• Track record of working collaboratively and productively with a range of constituencies within an educational setting, including students, faculty, staff, alumnae, and community partners.
• Strong interpersonal, collaborative, facilitation, and writing skills are essential.

Please attach BOTH a current resume and a cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position . Be sure you have provided all attachments before submitting your application.

You will NOT be able to attach additional files after you have hit the Submit button.

Review of applica