Job Description

Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering is seeking a talented, driven, innovative, and community-oriented Executive Director to launch and lead the new Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering program. The demand for Systems Engineering talent is growing while the field itself is rapidly evolving, and the way we educate engineers in this complex field needs to evolve with it. At Duke, we seek to set the pace, preparing our students to be innovative and successful leaders in this dynamic field.

If you are passionate about developing the next generation of technical leaders in Systems Engineering and are enthused about leveraging your leadership skills to build something new and innovative, then we invite you to apply for this role, as the program’s founding director. The Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering program is housed within the Institute for Enterprise Engineering, which supports the development of engineering professionals throughout their careers as a part of Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering (Durham, NC).

The major responsibilities of this new Executive Director position will be (1) to develop and lead the Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering program and 2) to teach courses in the program. In this role, you will be expected to:

Build and manage the program’s team, including faculty and staff, creating an inclusive and respectful work environment
Manage program operations and budget
Actively market the program to prospective students to ensure delivery of a true global, diverse, multicultural experience, including both residential and online offerings
Use feedback mechanisms (e.g., Net Promoter Score, town halls, focus groups) to track student sentiment and to identify and address areas of continuous program improvement
Provide an engaging student experience and sense of community for all program stakeholders (staff, students, faculty, alumni, and industry partners)
Continuously improve the Systems Engineering curriculum based on industry feedback to ensure that it prepares students for jobs of today and tomorrow
Build relationships within the Institute for Enterprise Engineering as well as the full Duke community, and collaborate across departments and the university
Participate in leadership of the Institute for Enterprise Engineering, collaborating with other program directors and Institute leaders on developing common goals and strategic initiatives within the Institute
Teach 2 courses each year within the Systems Engineering curriculum
Establish industry relationships and create opportunities to showcase student talent, such as practicum projects, internships, competitions, classroom projects, etc.
Establish and oversee the Systems Engineering Industry Advisory Board
Drive active alumni engagement as the program grows
Serve on school and university committees as appropriate
Grow the program’s vision, manage its strategic plan, and execute on annual priorities
Establish the program’s brand and further enhance Duke’s status as a leader in engineering education

Preferred candidates have Systems Engineering leadership experience in either an academic or corporate setting. Industry experience leading a technical group or organization, as well as teaching/course development experience are beneficial. Existing industry relationships in the engineering field are highly desirable. This is expected to be an on-site, full-time position, but other levels of commitment may be considered.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values. Information about Duke Engineering’s diversity, inclusion, and antiracist work can be found at https://pratt.duke.edu/about/diversity. ;

Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Duke also makes good faith efforts to recruit, hire, and promote qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans.

Applicants should submit the materials below through AJO. The preferred application date is August 14, 2024, but applications will be considered until a suitable applicant is found.

Application Materials Required:

Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:

Cover letter
Teaching Statement, including examples of course topics the candidate could consider teaching, approach to creating an exemplary classroom environment and instructional approaches to optimize student learning.
Statement of how candidate will foster an inclusive, respectful work environment and a summary of their diversity, equity, inclusion and community vision. Previous experience in these areas should be included in this summary.
Curriculum Vitae or Resume
Three references (names and email addresses)

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Duke University, Pratt Masters Programs