Executive Director for the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation

Job Title: Executive Director for the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 282754
About Us Overview

Georgia Tech prides itself on its technological resources, collaborations, high-quality student body, and its commitment to building an outstanding and diverse community of learning, discovery, and creation. We strongly encourage applicants whose values align with our institutional values, as outlined in our Strategic Plan . These values include academic excellence, diversity of thought and experience, inquiry and innovation, collaboration and community, and ethical behavior and stewardship. Georgia Tech has policies to promote a healthy work-life balance and is aware that attracting faculty may require meeting the needs of two careers.

About Georgia Tech:

Georgia Tech is a top-ranked public research university situated in the heart of Atlanta, a diverse and vibrant city with numerous economic and cultural strengths. The Institute serves more than 45,000 students through top-ranked undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs in engineering, computing, science, business, design, and liberal arts. Georgia Tech's faculty attracted more than $1.4 billion in research awards this past year in fields ranging from biomedical technology to artificial intelligence, energy, sustainability, semiconductors, neuroscience, and national security. Georgia Tech ranks among the nation's top 20 universities for research and development spending and No. 1 among institutions without a medical school.

Georgia Tech's Mission and Values:

Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do:

1. Students are our top priority.

2. We strive for excellence.

3. We thrive on diversity.

4. We celebrate collaboration.

5. We champion innovation.

6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.

7. We nurture the wellbeing of our community.

8. We act ethically.

9. We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

About the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation (CIDI)

The Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation (CIDI) at Georgia Tech is dedicated to improving the human condition through equal access to technology-based and research-driven information, services, and products for individuals with disabilities. Through its research initiatives and services, CIDI enhances access and independence by developing accessibility-related solutions for colleges, K-12 educators, corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies, supporting equal access to education, employment, and daily activities. Its offerings include braille production, e-text solutions, captioning, described media, digital accessibility and user experience consulting, and disability accommodation management. The Center also houses Tools for Life (TFL), Georgia's Assistive Technology Act Program, which provides device loans, training, and technical assistance throughout Georgia. CIDI's research focuses on accessible education, workplace inclusion, assistive technology, and age-related accessibility challenges. To learn more, visit CIDI's website:

Why Join CIDI and Georgia Tech

CIDI provides a unique opportunity to lead a team of dedicated researchers and professionals committed to advancing inclusive design and accessible technologies that positively impact the lives of individuals with disabilities. Georgia Tech is globally recognized for its pioneering research and innovative technologies. As the Executive Director, you will be part of a prestigious institution where your leadership will be essential in expanding the reach of CIDI's research and service offerings, thereby making a meaningful difference in accessibility and inclusion. This position offers a competitive salary along with excellent benefits.

Location Atlanta, GA

Job Summary The College of Design is conducting a nationwide search for an Executive Director for the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation (CIDI), which functions as a research and service center within the College of Design at Georgia Tech.

Position Description

The Executive Director, who will report to the Associate Dean for Research and Creative Practice, is primarily accountable for overseeing CIDI's research, educational programs, and service activities and for hiring and supervision of administrators, research faculty, and staff. In partnership with the College leadership team, the Executive Director will establish and guide the Center's strategic direction, set employee and unit goals, develop an organizational structure to meet those objectives, evaluate performance, and support faculty and staff in their career development. The Executive Director will advocate for the Center's mission at state, national, and international levels while enhancing its impact in inclusive design, assistive technology, and accessibility. The appointment is for a five-year term; this position is expected to be classified as 12-month full-time Research Faculty (non-tenure track. For further information, please consult .

Responsibilities The Executive Director will lead and oversee CIDI's initiatives in research, education, and services focused on disability awareness and accessibility. In collaboration with the directors' team, the Executive Director will:

•  Lead CIDI with a clear, strategic vision, overseeing the organization's activities while ensuring alignment across research, education, and service.
•  Enhance the reputation of CIDI, the College of Design, and Georgia Tech by advancing high-quality research and accessibility-related services, effectively communicating research outcomes and CIDI's offerings to relevant professional communities and the public, fostering excellence in all aspects of CIDI's operations to ensure alignment with the broader missions of the College and Institute.
•  Develop and implement CIDI's goals, objectives, strategies, and performance indicators, ensuring alignment with and contribution to the success of the College of Design and Georgia Tech.
•  Oversee CIDI's financial stewardship, ensuring compliance with university, state, and national policies, laws, regulations, and guidelines and maintaining transparency and accountability in financial management.
•  Elevate CIDI's profile by serving as its ambassador, fostering strong connections with professional communities, championing inclusion and accessibility, and expanding its local and national presence through strategic partnerships and collaborations that align with CIDI's mission and activities.
•  Working with the CIDI team, actively pursue and support efforts to secure various revenue streams, including sponsor projects, contracts, and fundraising. Engage in governmental advocacy to secure resources and strengthen CIDI's core mission.
•  Contribute to Georgia Tech's academic mission through student advisement, mentorship, and teaching, enriching the educational experience for students and advancing CIDI's educational initiatives. Required Qualifications Education:
•  A graduate degree in any discipline that aligns with CIDI's broad portfolio of research, education, and service. Experience:
•  Minimum ten years of leadership and management experience in organizations, including academic units, research centers, disability organizations, or NGOs.
•  Proven ability to develop, articulate, and implement a coherent vision for organizations with multiple portfolios encompassing services, education, and research.
•  A clear understanding of the priorities, operation, and strategic elements essential for running successful programs.
•  Experience in fostering cross-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary initiatives and collaboration.
•  Experience in financial planning and resource allocation.
•  Strong track record in securing funding (e.g., grants, contracts) and managing budgets.
•  Demonstrated ability to develop and sustain partnerships across sectors.

Preferred Qualifications Education:
•  A Ph.D. in a relevant area Experience:
•  Experience in leading and successfully implementing strategic solutions
•  Demonstrated ability to combine and integrate the expertise of highly skilled staff into multi-disciplinary teams, building upon existing and future collaborations to leverage new opportunities
•  Demonstrated ability to manage resources and ensure that an organization is self-sustaining from income generated from research and service awards and other sources.
•  Demonstrated monitoring and decision-making skills to implement corrective action if a specific program or service needs to be restructured or modified.
•  A well-developed understanding of the priorities, operation, and strategy of a successful research program . click apply for full job details