Position Announcement: Executive Director - Makerspace

Location : Boston, MA

About The Opportunity

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.Ā 

Job Summary

The EXP makerspace (EXPM) is a transdisciplinary teaching and learning innovation center that emphasizes creativity, camaraderie, and safety for every student from all of the Northeastern University colleges. EXPM stakeholders learn an innovative mindset from diverse friendships, transdisciplinary initiatives, as well as creative confidence from hands-on concept/design workshops. EXPM supports students in producing everything from personal passion projects to new ventures and course assignments. Students, staff, and faculty grow their creative capability in this physically and intellectually safe environment by sharing and hybridizing personal experiences and discipline methodologies toward new ideas and ways of thinking.

Reporting to he Associate Vice Provost – Academic Space Planning, the 1) will catalyze a design thinking and entrepreneurship culture, while creating a safe and welcoming transdisciplinary teaching and learning environment for the Northeastern community. As part of the Northeasternā€™s Office of the Provost and working with leadership partners, the Executive Director will develop the overall strategic vision in this area with the primary goals of safety, inclusiveness, ease of access, and broad use by the student body.

The Executive Director of Makerspace is a resilient leader and experienced builder who embraces innovation, creativity, and diversity while working to ensure excellent service to Stakeholders. The Executive Director is accountable for overseeing all aspects of the organization, including management and facilitation of the diverse Northeastern University stakeholder needs, managing day-to-day operations, introducing and nurturing strong community partnerships, overseeing staffing, space, resource use, and financial planning.

In addition, the Executive Director will serve as a key point of contact for program-related outreach and engagement with various stakeholders, including faculty, students and staff across the Northeastern Global University System, makerspace experts, Northeastern alums, industry partners, and the communities around campus. In alignment with our core values, we seek candidates who actively support diversity, inclusion, and belonging in the makerspace.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of design and design thinking methodologies, including ideation, prototyping, and user testing to create digital and physical solutions. Knowledge of additive and subtractive fabrication techniques using contemporary and upcoming technologies and prototypes. Knowledge in digital modeling and fabrication using CAD systems. Skilled in safely operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining physical fabrication equipment such as 3D printers, Laser Cutters, CNC Machines, Composite Technologies, etc.. Skilled in operating and troubleshooting microcontrollers, such as the Raspberry Pi and Arduino, including programming them. Skilled in designing and implementing budgets to support programmatic needs. Ability to rapidly adapt, troubleshoot, and problem solve in order to facilitate efficient use of the makerspace. Ability to envision and propose new methods to perform tasks that support design thinking culture. Other capabilities and characteristics include: self-awareness to recognize and manage oneā€™s behaviors, moods, and impulses to create an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment within EXPM. Knowledge and skills required for this position are normally acquired through a Bachelorā€™s degree in engineering, science, education, design, computer science, technology, or a related field plus at least five years of extensive technical experience working in an agile makerspace; specifically, experience with physical fabrication equipment, digital design software, and microcontrollers. Experience working with faculty and students in an academic environment, and experience with the design thinking process (ideation, prototyping, and testing). A Masterā€™s degree or demonstrated comparable training in engineering, science, education, design, computer science, technology, or a related field is preferred. Teaching, leading, or instructional experience in higher education, K-12 education, and/or library/institutional environment is preferredĀ 

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

1) Build a safe, inclusive culture of innovation and making for all.

2) Manage EXPM operations, space, and budget:

  • Managing centrally controlled design, innovation, and making resources and coordinating them at all levels with college and department-controlled spaces to create an innovation ecosystem
  • Provide safety and technical specifications for facility planning and equipment procurement
  • Planning and managing the annual budget in consultation with the AVP, Academic Space Planning
  • Recruiting, training, and managing the EXP makerspace technical staff who in turn will oversee the day-to-day operation of the centrally managed spaces, shops, and labs
  • Facilitate hands-on projects with students; team-teach with classroom instructors
  • Create opportunities and programming in the makerspace, including partnering with outside organizations and experts as appropriate
  • Overseeing the creation and training of a large cohort of student employees who will assist with day-to-day staffing of makerspaces across campus
  • Integrating making and fabrication health and safety efforts with the Office of Academic and Research Safety (OARS), Environmental Compliance and Occupational Safety (ECOS), and public safety programs. In coordination with these groups, manage the creation and implementation of making and fabrication health and safety protocols for students, staff, and faculty, and develop common maker training programs to be deployed across the university
  • Collaborate with groups across the university to implement and coordinate innovative programming and events that serve the needs of broadening student interest and engagement in making and innovation, promoting entrepreneurship, and educating in the theory and practice of creative making
  • Consult with students across the university on design, prototyping, and making-related challenges while offering solutions to advance engagement for all students in maker and entrepreneurial endeavors
  • Advise on makerspaces in the NU Global University System

3) Implement and coordinate programs for outreach, inclusion, and promoting making and entrepreneurial innovation

4) Plan for future technology, paradigms, and growth of innovation culture and facilities. Playing a key strategic role in helping build a culture of innovation by: providing students opportunities to ideate, make, build, and test their entrepreneurial concepts; instituting programs on safety, training, access, and workflow; assessing equipment, programs, and processes on a regular basis; advising leadership on new technologies and trends in innovation, makerspace, and entrepreneurship engaging and including all backgrounds and interests, especially those traditionally underrepresented in makerspace communities.

Position Type

Facilities

Additional Information

Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff.Ā  Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.Ā 

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other Ā characteristic protected by applicable law.

To learn more about Northeastern Universityā€™s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.