Assistant Director For Innovation Technologies

DATE POSTED: December 2023

JOB TITLE: Assistant Director for Innovation Technologies

DEPARTMENT: MFA Computer Arts

REPORTS TO: Senior Systems Director, MFA Computer Arts

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Assistant Director for Innovation Technologies will play an essential role in advancing the mission of MFACA by leading the critical role of integrating AI and related innovative computer graphic animation technologies. They will research, prototype & deploy scalable emergent technologies internal to MFACA while fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and experimentation. The Assistant Director will work closely with faculty, students, staff, and external media/technology specialists in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, real-time and mixed reality that enhance student engagement, improve learning outcomes and maximize professional relevance for our graduates. Moreover, we expect the selected candidate to play a pivotal role in representing our department at conferences, sharing insights by giving talks and positioning our organization as a trailblazer in the utilization of AI, mixed reality, and other emerging technologies in education. This includes spearheading initiatives aimed at preparing future industry professionals in visual effects, gaming, the animation industry, and similar creative fields through innovative and transformative educational practices.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Research, prototype & deploy emergent technologies (70%)

• Research current tools and over the horizon trends in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, real-time computer graphic animation production and mixed reality.
• Experiment, prototype and curate innovative technology tools and systems.
• Develop and maintain procedures, and guidelines for the usage of these technologies.
• Constantly evaluate, innovate, and improve methods, practices, and processes.
• Work closely with the Senior Systems Director, staff, faculty and external experts to provide specific software and hardware recommendations for budget consideration.
• Assist with the training of graduate students, faculty, lab assistants by running workshops on a wide variety of software and hardware topics and answering questions.
• Coordinate with other SVA departments to optimize sharing of methods and technology solutions.
• Foster a vibrant, artistic, diverse and inclusive community of faculty, students, and staff around the experimentation and use of Innovation Technologies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Collaboration and Support (15%)

• Facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration and encourage ideation among other SVA departments, faculty, students, and staff.
• Work collaboratively with the SVA Office of Learning Technologies for consideration of deployment to other departments where appropriate.
• Provide guidance and support in utilizing Innovation Technologies to explore and implement effective instructional strategies.
• Provide individual consultations and support for faculty in the selection and adoption of appropriate technologies and digital resources.

External Relations (15%)

• Enhance and develop relationships with external industry and higher education stakeholders to promote SVA's commitment to instructional innovation.
• Attend, participate and contribute to important national and international conferences.
• Develop workshops to promote SVA department collaboration & showcase innovative projects; increasing engagement with local and international industry professionals.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in creative technologies, educational technology, Instructional Design, or related fields
• A history of researching, designing and introducing innovative solutions to enhance educational experiences using emerging technologies.
• A strong portfolio showcasing previous projects involving the application of generative AI in educational contexts or visual arts, movie production, 3D animations, or related creative domains.
• Proven track record of pushing the boundaries of AI usage to accomplish creative goals.
• Experience managing AI projects from conception to implementation.
• Experience in higher education, high-tech media and entertainment industry, design, product development, project management, teaching, or similar collaborative environments.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders.
• Experience with development of workflows and prototyping of various teaching technologies and tools.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to build and maintain internal and external relationships.
• Innovative and creative mindset with great design sensibility.
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize multiple initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of emerging and innovative educational technologies.
• Supervisory experience including teaching, managing, or mentoring others.
• Commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive and equitable learning environment.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

To formally apply, you must submit a resume, cover letter, and a strong portfolio showcasing previous projects involving the application of generative AI in educational contexts or visual arts, movie production, 3D animation, or relative creative domains. Please submit your portfolio in PDF format.

WORKING AT SVA

School of Visual Arts has been a leader in the education of artists, designers, and creative professionals for more than seven decades. With a faculty of distinguished working professionals, a dynamic curriculum, and an emphasis on critical thinking, SVA is a catalyst for Innovation and social responsibility. Comprising over 7,000 students at its Manhattan campus and over 41,000 alumni from 128 countries, SVA also represents one of the most influential artistic communities in the world. For more information about the College's 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, visit our website.

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The School of Visual Arts is an equal-opportunity employer. Diversity and inclusion is a core principle of the College. SVA enjoys a community that represents a significant number of historically underrepresented communities, ethnic and religious backgrounds, gender identities, diverse abilities, and foreign countries, and all are encouraged to apply.