Design Studies Undergraduate Education Director

Position Summary

Reporting to the Dean, School of Design Studies, the Design Studies Undergraduate Education Director is a key member of the Design Studies leadership team in a 12‑month, full‑time exempt administrative position. The role collaborates broadly with other Deans, Education Directors, Academic Affairs personnel and staff across the College to support the College’s mission and goals.

In the first six to 12 months, the primary responsibility is to investigate how to revitalize and redevelop the Bachelor of Design Studies curriculum to attract and sustain student interest, enrollment and post‑graduation opportunities.

• Investigate options for a flexible, career‑oriented three‑year and/or four‑year undergraduate degree programs that meet current competitive demands and accreditation standards.
• Coordinate this investigation with curricula and requirements in existing degree programs in Design Studies (master’s), Architecture, Interior Architecture, Landscape Architecture and the BAC unique Practice curriculum.
• Prepare and present options for the Bachelor of Design Studies degree curriculum to Academic Affairs personnel for review and feedback.
• Prepare and present options for consideration and acceptance by the BAC’s President and Cabinet, and subsequently by NECHE and the MA Board of Higher Education Sustainable Design Program.
• Manage and revise as appropriate the existing Sustainable Design continuing education certificate program.

Assuming acceptance of one or more BDS degree options, implement, lead and manage the BDS degree program as described below. The program should prepare students for entry‑level employment in fields related to the built environment.

• Strategic vision
• Ability to forge new ground, thinking creatively and innovatively in the face of new challenges
• Project management skills and outcomes oriented
• Ability to develop constructive and positive relationships across the college
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence
• Keen analytical skills
• Ability to work and influence across institutional lines
• Ability to prioritize in face of competing demands
• Sound professional judgment
• Confidentiality and discretion in handling student, faculty and College information

• Serve as academic leader for the Design Studies Bachelor of Design Studies program.
• Provide a visible presence for the BDS to prospective and current students.
• Collaborate with BAC core faculty, adjunct faculty and staff throughout the College, leading and managing the BDS program.
• Collaborate in strategic planning for the School of Design Studies and the BAC as a whole.

• Review and shape curriculum, ensuring coherence and effectiveness of overall educational content of design studies programs.
• Design and implement assessment processes to oversee successful delivery and student achievement in the BDS.
• Assume responsibility for educational quality and effective operation of the BDS.
• Contribute effectively to administrative efforts to gather, analyze and publicize information about courses, faculty and scheduling for students.

• Provide a visible, public presence for the BDS both locally and nationally.
• Provide well‑written material to outside constituencies, such as accrediting bodies, and to colleagues and staff as needed.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with students, colleagues, faculty and administrators at all levels of the College.

• Cultivate and engage adjunct faculty to teach courses in the BDS program.
• Coordinate the hiring and onboarding of new and returning adjunct faculty with Human Resources and the faculty payment process.
• Mentor and sustain adjunct faculty in their continued and effective involvement with students.
• Ensure educational quality and richness through inclusive faculty recruiting.
• Continually increase performance and effectiveness of faculty through development initiatives.
• Manage faculty performance…