Director, LEAD (Academic Professional, Open Rank)

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.

Atlanta, GA

Program Distinction

LEAD is a rare entity among its peer organizations in the following ways:

LEAD has a staff consisting of 6-7 employees with administrative, financial, and academic lecturer support and relies on support from senior leadership, campus partners, and faculty, staff and students who volunteer to be trained as coaches and mentors.

LEAD has been built by bootstrapping resources, developing profound relationships with our entire faculty, and delivering high impact academic and co-curricular experiences for our students.

LEAD has an exemplary set of programs in place that make LEAD a trusted partner to our larger community. LEAD is one of only a few organizations across the higher education landscape that integrates leadership education, innovation practice, and experiential learning. This integration proves essential for preparing students to address complex societal challenges. Each program within LEAD's portfolio demonstrates excellence in its specific focus area while contributing to a cohesive educational experience:

Grand Challenges Living Learning Community (in partnership with the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy and College of Engineering): 220 first-year students from all disciplines engage in team-based problem solving while living in a residential community

Minor in Leadership Studies (in partnership with the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy, Scheller College of Business and Civil and Environmental Engineering): Three specialized tracks providing theoretical grounding and practical application across disciplines

Minor in Collaborative Social Innovation (CSI) (partnership with the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy): provides students with the skills and experiences to help improve the human condition expressed in practical, impactful challenge-focused activities through the cross-disciplinary approaches of collaboration, social impact, innovation and design thinking.

Leading Edge Leadership Coaching Program: One-on-one and team leadership coaching adapted from executive coaching practices

Teams for Tech Fellowship: Year-long team projects that produce tangible improvements to campus operations

LEAD Fellows Program: Trained peer coaches and facilitators who extend program capacity and impact
LEAD is a rare entity among its peer organizations in the following ways:

• LEAD has a staff consisting of 6-7 employees with administrative, financial, and academic lecturer support and relies on support from senior leadership, campus partners, and faculty, staff and students who volunteer to be trained as coaches and mentors.
• LEAD has been built by bootstrapping resources, developing profound relationships with our entire faculty, and delivering high impact academic and co-curricular experiences for our students.
• LEAD has an exemplary set of programs in place that make LEAD a trusted partner to our larger community. LEAD is one of only a few organizations across the higher education landscape that integrates leadership education, innovation practice, and experiential learning. This integration proves essential for preparing students to address complex societal challenges. Each program within LEADs portfolio demonstrates excellence in its specific focus area while contributing to a cohesive educational experience:
• Grand Challenges Living Learning Community (in partnership with the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy and College of Engineering): 220 first-year students from all disciplines engage in team-based problem solving while living in a residential community
• Minor in Leadership Studies (in partnership with the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy, Scheller College of Business and Civil and Environmental Engineering): Three specialized tracks providing theoretical grounding and practical application across disciplines
• Minor in Collaborative Social Innovation (CSI) (partnership with the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy): provides students with the skills and experiences to help improve the human condition expressed in practical, impactful challenge-focused activities through the cross-disciplinary approaches of collaboration, social impact, innovation and design thinking.
• Leading Edge Leadership Coaching Program: One-on-one and team leadership coaching adapted from executive coaching practices
• Teams for Tech Fellowship: Year-long team projects that produce tangible improvements to campus operations
• LEAD Fellows Program: Trained peer coaches and facilitators who extend program capacity and impact
  

Open Rank :

This position vacancy is an open rank announcement. Final job offer will be dependent on candidate qualifications in alignment with Research Faculty Extension Professional ranks as outlined in section 3.2.1 of the Georgia Tech Faculty Handbook.

Georgia Tech seeks a dynamic leader to direct one of the largest programs in the nation dedicated exclusively to developing student capacity for leadership and innovation. After fifteen years of sustained growth, LEAD serves hundreds of students annually through experiential and project-based learning approaches. The new director will build on this foundation to expand program reach, develop sustainable funding models, and position LEAD as a resource for institutions worldwide.

This role offers the opportunity to lead a comprehensive portfolio of programs that have demonstrated effectiveness in developing leadership skills and sparking innovation. The director will advance LEADs capacity for research, publication, and outreach while ensuring the programs financial sustainability through strategic partnerships and philanthropy.

Program Leadership & Development (30%)

• Direct established programs while identifying opportunities for increased campus collaboration and student participation
• Ensure educational effectiveness through evidence-based assessment and continuous improvement
• Develop research initiatives that document program outcomes and contribute to scholarly literature
• Create scalable models and resources that other institutions can adopt
• Collaborate with faculty partners to maintain academic rigor and relevance

Resource Development & Sustainability (20%)

• Build a self-sustaining financial model through diversified revenue streams
• Engage alumni as partners in program growth and support
• Establish an external advisory committee to guide strategic development
• Cultivate relationships with individual, corporate, and foundation donors

Partnership & Collaboration (20%)

• Create mechanisms for sharing LEAD's methods and outcomes with institutions globally
• Develop industry partnerships that provide students with internship and career opportunities
• Build connections with Atlanta's corporate and nonprofit sectors
• Partner with campus units to extend leadership development opportunities

Operations & Assessment (15%)

• Lead and develop professional staff, graduate assistants, and peer educators
• Research and recommend robust assessment practices that demonstrate program impact
• Manage complex budgets across multiple funding sources
• Ensure efficient program operations and resource allocation

Academic (15%)

• Collaborate with faculty across disciplines to embed leadership competencies in curricula and develop competitive grant proposals aligned with diverse research topics and funding opportunities.
• Identify and disseminate relevant grant opportunities that align with faculty interests and institutional priorities.
• Conduct comprehensive literature reviews and background research to inform curricular and co-curricular program development and explore emerging research in the leadership development field
• Offer consultation for leadership development, emphasizing ethical practices and sustainable partnerships.
• Teach classes in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy or other units appropriate to background
  

Open Rank

This position vacancy is an open rank announcement. Final job offer will be dependent on candidate qualifications in alignment with Research Faculty Extension Professional ranks as outlined in section 3.2.1 of the Georgia Tech Faculty Handbook.

Final rank will be determined commensurate with education and experience

Associate Academic Professional

* A Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Marketing, Technology, Mathematics, or related/relevant field.

Academic Professional

* A Master's degree in Engineering, Business, Marketing, Technology, Mathematics, or related/relevant field and three (3) years of relevant full-time experience after completion of that degree, or

* A Master's degree in Engineering, Business, Marketing, Technology, Mathematics, or related/relevant field and five (5) years of relevant full-time experience after completion of a Bachelor's degree, or

* A Doctoral degree in Engineering, Business, Marketing, Technology, Mathematics, or related/relevant field.

Sr. Academic Professional

* A Master's degree in Engineering, Business, Marketing, Technology, Mathematics, or related/relevant field and seven (7) years of relevant full-time experience after completion of that degree, or

* A Master's degree in Engineering, Business, Marketing, Technology, Mathematics, or related/relevant field and nine (9) years of relevant full-time experience after completion of a Bachelor's degree, or '

* A Doctoral degree in Engineering, Business, Marketing, Technology, Mathematics, or related/relevant field and four (4) years of relevant full-time experience after completion of a Bachelor's degree.

Doctoral degree ((Ph.D., Ed.D., or equivalent) in Leadership Studies, Engineering (especially innovation methods), Organizational Psychology, Education, or related field)

Background in innovation education or entrepreneurship development

Previous work in research settings

Record of scholarly publication or conference presentations

Experience developing international programs or partnerships

Required Qualifications

10-15+ years of progressive experience in higher education, industry and/or non-profit organizations

Track record of building effective, cohesive and high-performing curricular and co-curricular leadership development programs, partnerships while managing complex operations

Demonstrated success in program development and resource / funding generation

Deep understanding of student leadership development, experiential learning and innovation

Experience with living-learning communities or residential education programs

Ability to communicate program impact to diverse stakeholder groups

Experience with data-driven program assessment and improvement

Demonstrated cultural competence and commitment to inclusive practices

Strong written and oral communication skills

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Institute is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and Institute policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia ("USG") and Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of an individual's race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

For additional information please contact John Stein at john.stein@ypss.gatech.edu

Successful candidate must be able to pass a background check. Please visit http://policylibrary.gatech.edu/employment/pre-employment-screening