Now Hiring: Hyundai Regeneration Studio Project Manager
Hyundai Motor Group and RISD have been collaborating for 5 years to examine relationships among natural and built environments in order to propose new directions for the future of mobility. RISD’s Nature Lab provides central expertise with a science team while faculty support new research in biodesign taking place within courses. Summer programs include Hyundai designers in residence at RISD, and week-long workshops for Hyundai designers and engineers. This partnership opens an inspiring new chapter in the space of design, art, and creation.
RISD is currently seeking outstanding applicants for a one-year term position as the Project Manager, Hyundai Regeneration Studio. With a firm grasp of the importance of stewardship, this role is responsible for independently planning, managing, and facilitating all aspects of the research collaborative. This is a corporate sponsored cross-college interdisciplinary project centered in the Nature Lab while connecting to more than 14 academic departments. Ideal candidates will have some knowledge of how arts and design schools work, including academic scheduling and/or sponsored research systems.
The ideal candidate will also serve as a trusted faculty and student liaison, developing vibrant and lasting relationships with the corporate partner, Hyundai Motor Group (HMG). This position ensures that goals are met and activities are executed on schedule and within budget.
The Project Manager will have a high capacity for the complex details involved with facilitating logistics and delivering projects, activities, and meetings to enhance the experience and learning for participants; as well as the marketing associated with this work.
We welcome applicants with demonstrated success in working with diverse populations in a multicultural environment that embraces our vision and mission
Essential Functions:
- Develop, plan, manage, evaluate, coordinate, and facilitate activities between RISD faculty and students and Hyundai Motor Group (HMG).
- Regularly review project status and modify timelines, plans, scheduling and/or costing as needed.
- Provide regular updates to the Vice Provost and on project status, budget expenses and identify any areas of concern or additional program components to explore.
- Supervise and oversee the work of administrative support staff. Delegate tasks as needed/appropriate.
- Oversee all spending related to the RISD x HMG grant, ensuring that all spending meets the needs of the program and executes contract requirements.
- Manage the budget and expenses, including researching and creating cost proposals for final approval.
- Generate periodic reports, make projections, monitor trends, address areas of opportunity or concern, and make adjustments, as approved.
- Manage all external communications with HMG, including senior level leadership, regarding project updates.
- Develop, nurture and ensure a positive partnership and on-going relationship with Hyundai through collaborative efforts and effective expectation setting.
- Implement new strategies for engaging with various subsidiaries under HMG.
- Host and support special visitors, dignitaries, and guests, ensuring appropriate and culturally sensitive hospitality is extended. Ensure agendas, travel arrangements, other travel details and appropriate hospitality is extended.
- Form collaborative partnerships with the Nature Lab scientific team and the Division Deans whose students and faculty participate in the project.
- Understand and identify research opportunities and program needs between RISD faculty staff and students and various HMG subsidiaries.
- Envision, create and plan opportunities for projects, events, activities, and meetings, which optimize the experience and learning for participants. Deliver on plans, oversee and successfully execute logistics.
- Host, engage, and introduce external parties to internal audiences to develop common areas foracademic exploration through a variety of both typical on-site activities and alternative programming.
- Support the activities of the above events, ensure appropriate supplies/materials are available; and to achieve desired learnings.Collaborate with other internal departments as necessary.
- Supervise, train, and consult with all affiliated hires to include undergraduates, graduates, and temp employees.
- Evaluate and support opportunities for RISD x HMG activities in external contexts (ie press conferences, exhibitions, etc).
- Participate in Hyundai research activities and forums to further develop, inform and evaluate initiatives and engagement.
- Generate various documents such as manuals, reports, presentations, and other texts that archive and inform the history of the program.
Additional Functions:
- Provide Vice Provost with ad-hoc contract and budget support.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience
- High level of diplomacy and cultural competency with demonstrated ability to work effectively with ethnically and culturally diverse communities.
- Bachelor’s degree required, MFA preferred or equivalent of education and experience.
- Minimum three years project management experience, preferably within an academic setting.
- Demonstrated ability to work on transdisciplinary or cross-sector projects (i.e., design + biology, arts + industry, etc).
- Demonstrated ability or aptitude for working in mutually beneficial relationships with industry partners.
- Demonstrated ability to monitor and track budgets for defined project scope(s) with experience or aptitude to manage project budgets.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to identify and nurture relationships which result in high impact outcomes, and ability to work with individuals at all levels of an organization/institution.
- Strong verbal, written and electronic communication with strong follow-up skills.
- Creative thinking, aptitude and ability to conceptualize and execute activities and opportunities in alignment with project goals and outcomes.
- Ability to take initiative, anticipate issues or delays.
- Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
- Ability to work both collaboratively as a research team member and independently on items and initiatives related to the Hyundai Project.
- Resourceful team player.
- Google Apps for Education (sheets, docs, slides) experience, and general office computer experience required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Adobe Creative Suite and Workday experience preferred.
- Some experience in biology or biomimicry preferred.
- Some experience or training in design preferred.
