Director of Programs

Reports to: CEO

Employment Status: Full-Time

FLSA: Exempt

Department: Educational & Career Pathways into AI

Location: USA Remote

Salary Range: $90,000 - $130,000

Founded In 2017, Black In AI (BAI) Aims To Broaden Representation In The Field Of Artificial Intelligence (AI) By Increasing The Presence, Visibility, And Well-being Of Black AI Professionals And Leaders In Academia And In Industry. BAI Offers Programming And Initiatives To Address

• Educational pathways to support academic and career interests in the field of AI
• Financial barriers to pursuing educational and academic career opportunities in AI
• Opportunities to expand the visibility of AI practitioners and their networks
• Community building and support for AI practitioners
  
  

BAI is transforming its operations from a volunteer-led nonprofit to a professional organization with full-time staff. BAI is building a new infrastructure to expand its impact on the field of artificial intelligence and is seeking a Director of Academic Programs to support this work.

Program Description: The Black in AI Programs foster an inclusive end-to-end ecosystem with initiatives including mentorship to current and prospective graduate and post-graduate students, advocacy to remove barriers faced by underrepresented groups in AI, and summer research programs for undergraduate students.

The Director Of Programs Will

• Oversee coordination and implementation of BAI programs including the Academic Program, Advocacy, and the Summer Research Programs.
• Provide long term program leadership in program design, curriculum design, staff recruitment, operational infrastructure, program assessment, impact and evaluation.
• Develop and execute strategic direction for programs in collaboration with the BAI board and executive leadership
• Identify the gaps in programming and provide innovative solutions to move the mission forward.
• Leverage knowledge of the postdoc career development landscape to improve programming
• Develop a collaboration framework to build strong partnerships and engage with potential funders.
• Design, direct, and advance advocacy initiatives
• Identify professional development opportunities and training for junior researchers, mentors and supporting staff.
• Supervise, evaluate, and guide the development of program staff
• Ensure alignment of communication strategies with organizational objectives
• Assist with managing department budget and reporting
• Serve as a representative of BAI for academic related activities
  
  

The Ideal Candidate Is

• Agile: Able to self direct, multi-task, and work in a entrepreneurial setting
• Analytical: Able to carefully study issues, identify trends and formulate new ideas
• Collaborative: Able to work with and across the wide variety of industries, organizations, and demographics needed to overcome barriers to access
• Experienced: Has previously managed academic pipelines and/or mentoring programs at the graduate level
• Innovative: Unafraid to conceive and execute new ideas to drive program reach
• Knowledgeable: Familiarity with academia; particularly graduate and PhD admissions processes in AI-related fields
• Mission-Driven: Understands and passionate about the work of BAI and the people and communities we serve
• Reflective: Regularly seeks to enhance effectiveness and uses data to improve processes
• Trustworthy: Navigates all interactions and work in confidentiality and alignment with values of the organization
  
  

The Ideal Candidate Has

• A Master’s or PhD in education or related discipline.
• Knowledge and understanding of program delivery and design, curriculum design, and cohort design.
• Experience with pipeline development to AI related roles within education and industry is a plus
• Broad understanding of the tech ecosystem in the artificial intelligence space
• Broad understanding of trends in AI related to workforce development, careers and education
• Fluency in the Masters and PhD admissions process.
• Minimum of five years of related experience.
• Broad management and leadership knowledge to lead project and program teams.
• Experience leading academic programming in computer science, data science, engineering and related disciplines.
• Experience managing multiple successful strategic external partnerships.
• Experience in navigating nonprofit organizations.
  
  

BAI Offers

• Competitive compensation
• Opportunity for career growth through professional development and advancement
• Benefits including medical and PTO
• Paid holidays
• Empowerment to help develop and define a new role in a growing organization
• Ground floor opportunity to build foundational infrastructure of a growing organization
  
  

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment: Work is performed at home; regularly sits at a computer station and operates electronic equipment 6 to 8 hours per day; occasionally lifts, carries, and positions objects weighing up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Black in AI provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, age, medical condition, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, military status, caregiver status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.