CAREER CENTER

The Block Center for Technology and Society at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is seeking an Executive Director to advance the Center's mission investigating the economic, organizational, and public policy impacts of technology, and how technology innovations can be more widely shared to improve quality of life for all. This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside experts at the cutting edge of artificial intelligence, educational technologies, economics, and other disciplines across CMU to translate and share research insights with decision-makers across business and government. The Executive Director will work in a hybrid environment with a small but dedicated team. This position is located on CMU's main campus, but hybrid schedules that allow for a part-time presence in Pittsburgh will be considered.

In 2019, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) launched a groundbreaking new center dedicated to the interdisciplinary investigation of the economic, organizational and public policy impacts of technology, and how innovation in these spaces can be more inclusive and improve quality of life for all.

The Block Center for Technology and Society, housed within the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, focuses its efforts on how emerging technologies will alter the future of work, how AI and analytics can be harnessed responsibly for social good, and how innovation in these spaces can be more inclusive and generate targeted, relevant solutions that reduce inequality.

Since its launch, the Center and its nearly 100 affiliated faculty members have researched and developed innovative policy recommendations to help promote widespread access to the benefits of inclusive technological change. Through a series of activities including funding faculty research across the University, to drafting and distributing policy memos, to holding strategic convening's and serving as a national thought leader on the societal impact of emerging technology, the Block Center has positioned itself for meaningful growth over the next few years.

Reporting to the Dean of Heinz College and Block Center Faculty Director, the Executive Director will run the day-to-day operations of the Center with a small but dedicated team, and collaborate with staff, faculty leadership, external advisors, and a large network of partners to set strategy, track goals, and grow the Center's reach. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is entrepreneurial, passionate about the social and policy impacts of technological change, and has a leadership background in a policy, think tank, nonprofit, or business setting, with operational or communications experience. The work requires capacity to work well with other teams at the university, and to effectively collaborate with staff, faculty leadership, external advisors, and a large network of partners to set strategy, track goals, and grow the Center's reach.

We value diversity, flexibility and passion within Heinz College. Inclusion, collaboration and cultural responsiveness are valued skills at Carnegie Mellon. Therefore, we are in search of a team member who is able to collaboratively engage with Heinz and campus-wide community members at a high level of cultural awareness and sensitivity, care and integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

Core responsibilities will include:

• Manage a team of three professionals and student research assistants and grow the team as needed to meet the needs of the Center;

• Oversee strategic relationships with faculty leadership team and external advisors;

• Work directly with the faculty director to set Center strategies and priorities;

• Establish positive and innovative working relationships with partners and decision makers in the public, private, academic and philanthropic sectors;

• Secure funding support for the Center and its research projects by building and capitalizing on relationships with governmental, foundation and corporate funding sources;

• Assist faculty in developing culturally responsive curriculum and educational programs including executive training,

• Develop and maintain culturally responsive communications including websites, presentation materials and reports;

• Prepare and make presentations describing and promoting the Center;

• Organize Center events, workshops, and seminars;

• Coordinate external and internal advisory boards and councils;

• Represent the Center at various events including conferences, workshops and meetings;

• Manage the budget, finances and reporting obligations;

• Other duties as assigned by the faculty director.

The ideal candidate would possess:

• Extensive knowledge or passion to quickly learn state and federal policy in relation to emerging technologies and workforce education

• A strong writing background with experience drafting policy memos and other types of translational documents that bridge academia and policy

• Excellent culturally responsive interpersonal skills and partnership capabilities

• A wide network of partners in federal and state government agencies

• Experience crafting strategic communications and public relations plans to promote and highlight innovative and impactful developments in public policy and research

• Graduate degree in public policy or related field preferred

RESPONSIBILITIES

40% Strategic Program Management

Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Block Center programs and a key driver of critical and high-priority projects. Responsibilities may include:

• Provide strategic direction for the development and implementation of Block Center events, research programs, and finances.

• Oversight, executive-level leadership and accountability for overall performance of programs as well as delivery of high performing operational services and capacity building to support the Block Center's current scale and future expansion goals.

• Collaborate with other senior positions to develop, implement and refine the vision, operational plans and short- and long-range strategic initiatives and goals.

• Oversight of the Block Center budget as well as the progress and results of funded projects. Ensure overall outcomes are meeting stated goals, objectives and budgetary constraints.

• Develop, review, and approve plans to control budget spending and efficiency.

• Create and oversee the execution of quality programs that comply with agreed upon terms, meet deadlines, come in on budget and generate sustainable solutions.

• Ensure Center leadership, advisory committee(s) and staff have accurate and timely financial information to make resource and operational decisions.

• Lead management of contract negotiations, legal affairs, and risk management strategies.

• Develop and manage entrepreneurial approaches to procure revenue through outside sources to support and expand Block Center's mission.

• Oversee finance, with assistance from Heinz College professionals, in the areas of accounting, reporting, budgeting, procurement, compliance, and financial planning. Ensure the Block Center achieves multi-year financial sustainability.

40% Partnerships/Development

Oversee the ongoing strategic efforts to build and expand partnerships, funding for new initiatives, maintaining current relationships as well as increasing the visibility and reputation of the College and of the Block Center. Responsibilities may include:

• Establish positive working relationships with partners and decision makers in the public, private, academic, and philanthropic sectors.

• Develop partnerships with external organizations for funding as well as piloting/deploying of R&D projects.

• Secure funding support for the Center and its research projects by building and capitalizing on relationships with governmental, foundation and corporate funding sources.

• Identify, lead, and facilitate opportunities to pursue projects with common interest to outside organizations.

• Direct and facilitate use of communication technologies and creative formats to reach a variety of constituents.

• Assist faculty in developing related culturally responsive curriculum and educational programs including executive training, and handle facility and equipment matters.

• Develop and maintain culturally responsive communications including websites, presentation materials, and reports.
  

15% Staff and Department Oversight

Provides day-to-day leadership and general management of the Block Center. Responsibilities may include:

• Identifies, recommends, and implements plans for the operational infrastructure of systems, processes and personnel designed to accommodate growth objectives.

• Oversees staff managing private, institutional, and external funding to ensure finances are secured, allocated, budgeted, tracked, and in compliance.

• Attracts, recruits, and retains an exceptional, qualified and diverse team.

• Leads by example and develops a team environment that fosters cultural responsiveness, collaboration, excellence, results, and innovative practices.

• Addresses employee issues and concerns with tact, diplomacy and adherence to University policies and procedures.

• Provides culturally responsive mentoring and effective leadership to the team.

• Supports ongoing professional development of staff and provides ongoing training.

• Builds a culture of trust and openness. Welcomes creative, innovative ideas and supports change.

5% Other

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree required; Master's degree highly preferred

• Fifteen (15) years of experience in public policy, policy research, government relations, private philanthropy, or a related field or discipline

Requirements:

• Successful background check

CMU's COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements: As a condition of employment, Carnegie Mellon University requires all staff and faculty working in the United States to be fully vaccinated, including a booster when eligible, against COVID-19. Prior to commencement of employment, new hires in the United States must provide proof of vaccination or obtain an approved exemption. (Exemptions may be requested for medical reasons or for religious or strong moral or ethical conviction.) Those granted an exemption must comply with all applicable COVID-19 mitigation requirements. The most up-to-date information on CMU's COVID-19 mitigation requirements can be found here: Minimum Requirements to Return to Campus.

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