Job Summary

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks a 1-year term Strategic Programs Lead to join its Center for Complexity. This department is engaged in a long-term partnership with external organizations for the purposes of developing design and innovation practices within those organizations. The Strategic Programs Lead is responsible for actively engaging in the development and delivery of design activities and experiences that meet and exceed the commitment RISD has made to its current partners. The Strategic Programs Lead role is also responsible for developing new partnership activity for the CfC either directly or in collaboration with the Assistant Director, Strategic Design & Programs.

The Strategic Design Programs team of the CfC, of which the Strategic Programs Lead is a member and is responsible for delivering several active workshop designs with a primary external partner. The Strategic Programs Lead role will be onboarded to these existing models and contribute to their improvement over many deliveries of the workshop. The Strategic Programs Lead role will function as the primary facilitator of these workshops. The Strategic Programs Lead will be encouraged to leverage RISD faculty and staff and external experts to diversify the points of view and increase the quality of these workshops, and will identify and integrate talent from outside the Strategic Design Program team to ensure a high-quality experience and successful delivery for CfC partners and participants in collaborate with the Assistant Director. CfC partners typically sit in the private sector, and benefit from integrating the Strategic Design Program team into their client or partner facing presentations. The Strategic Programs Lead will contribute to these presentations and impromptu workshops through document creation and in-person and remote presentations.

We seek applications from equity-minded candidates who will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, and equal access to resources and opportunities.

Essential Functions

PLANNING AND STRATEGY

• Apply knowledge and experience in design and innovation to the development and execution of design and innovation exercises in a workshop setting.

• Continually ensure the quality of workshop design and suitability for meeting and exceeding the contractual obligations with CfC strategic partners. Ensure programs meet the strategic objectives of RISD and CfC.

• Before and after workshops, communicate with partners to recruit participants, celebrate accomplishments and promote CfC offerings.

• In support the CfC's vision, create new program offerings, components, modules and exercises as required. Actively engage the Assistant Director and Executive Director for their input and feedback, and implement as approved. Independently conduct research and comparative analysis of both internal and external programs to improve current offerings and inform the design of new programs.

• Directly manage the digital ecosystem of tools and platforms that enable workshop delivery from digital scheduling to asynchronous learning materials.

PROGRAM DELIVERY

• Serve as primary facilitator of design workshops, in person and remotely, for participants of all skill levels and backgrounds.

• Through timely, insightful, and responsive communication, maintain an effective and beneficial relationship with Infosys and other CfC partner organizations.

• Teach all sessions to deliver program target learning outcomes.

• Capture and record key insights for inclusion in publication and informal dissemination of program outcomes.

• Conduct workshop documentation and assessment, and reporting procedures in accordance with RISD policies and CfC program improvement processes.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience

• Minimum undergraduate degree.

• 2 years' experience of professional practice involving frequent client engagement on complex projects.

• 2 years' experience working directly on system design, strategic design and related fields in academic, public, or private sectors.

• Demonstrated ability and desire to work effectively with diverse communities and support the mission of Social Equity and Inclusion.

• Demonstrated knowledge in design and innovation methods.

• Experience in design workshop creation and facilitation, design upskilling in a professional setting required.

• Experience working successfully in team-based corporate and academic cultures.

• Comfort engaging private-sector partners in complex engagements.

• Project management and operational planning skills required. Demonstrated ability to operate successfully in complex learning and/or project-based environments.

• Demonstrated ability and/or professional experience to comprehend a working environment strongly focused on art and design.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Strong organizational skills, problem-solving skills while performing multidisciplinary tasks.

• Ability to deliver programming in Providence, RI and from remote location for extended periods.

Valued but not required skills and experience

• Master's degree in design or related fields

• Prior professional or immersive experience in international settings

Union:

No

Work Schedule:

35 hours per week

1-year term

Employment Status:

Full-time; Exempt

Grade:

11/AD

Work Modality:

"Hybrid Eligible"

Documents Needed to Apply:

Resume (Required)

Cover Letter (Required)

Salary Grade Structure

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please upload all required documents.

The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.

RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.