About Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), is a global, research-intensive university with more than 14,000 students, more than 120,000 alumni, and approximately 5,000 faculty and staff. In its 2023-2024 rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranked CMU #24 among national universities, #4 in terms of Most Innovative Schools, and many of its programs are among the top-ranked in the world. CMU is home to the country’s #1 ranked programs in computer science, computer engineering, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, among others.
The School of Design is continually ranked among the top design programs worldwide for undergraduate and graduate programs. In addition to highly ranked drama, art, and music schools, CMU has the #5 engineering program, the #7 undergraduate business program, and is one of a small number of academic institutions in the nation boasting a fully-fledged Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), the Software Engineering Institute (SEI). CMU’s confluence of scholarly excellence, robust federal and industry interface, and heritage of innovation has consistently placed it among the world’s most dynamic and impactful research institutions.
The university is known for its distinctive culture, which champions interdisciplinary inquiry and collaborative efforts in a technology-rich environment. CMU’s global footprint fosters cooperation across borders, including from its campuses in Qatar, and most recently Rwanda, where it is making a commitment to empower the next generation of African leaders and innovators. With more than a dozen degree-granting locations, as well as a growing number of research partnerships around the world, CMU is truly a global institution. CMU faculty are known for inspiring students to think creatively, interpret with insight, and solve major societal, scientific, and technological challenges. Current and former faculty and alumni include 20 Nobel Laureates, 79 members of the National Academies, 13 Turing Awardees, 11 Academy Award winners, 131 Emmy Award winners, and 58Tony Award winners. Roughly 7,400 undergraduate and 8,300 graduate students are drawn to the University’s commitment to innovative education and training and its outstanding programs across its seven schools and colleges.
For more information about CMU, please visit the following links:
- History of the institution: https://www.cmu.edu/about/history.html
- Strategic Plan, 2025: https://www.cmu.edu/strategic-plan/
- Rankings: https://www.cmu.edu/about/rankings.html
- Awards: https://www.cmu.edu/about/awards.html
The Role of Head of the School of Design
Carnegie Mellon School of Design seeks an intellectually curious, collaborative, experienced, and dynamic leader to join the School of Design. Working collaboratively and strategically with faculty, staff, students, and alumni, the Head will lead the further development and enactment of a forward-thinking vision for the school. The Head serves as a critical leader within the College of Fine Arts, advocating for the School of Design, and reporting to the Dean of the College.
The Head of the School of Design will serve as a visionary and creative leader for faculty, staff, and students, fostering the realization of innovative design work in academia and practice. In this role, the Head will be an active member of a strong college-level leadership team and report directly to the Dean of the College of Fine Arts. The position also calls for the Head to carry administrative and fiduciary responsibilities, managing eight people who report directly to them and working collaboratively with the entire faculty and staff of the School. The Head will represent, and be an advocate for, the School of Design within the university and to the outside world—demonstrating an understanding of, and appreciation for, design research, practice, and teaching now and into the future.
Contact Information
This is a full-time position that will be performed on-site in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Salary will be commensurate with experience and includes a generous benefits package.
Applications, nominations, and inquiries should be sent in confidence via email to [email protected].
Carnegie Mellon University shall abide by the requirements 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a), and 60-741.5(a).These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.