Job Details

Director, AI Strategy & Technology Partnerships (FT), AFREDIRAITECH

Position Number: 7333822
Location: Glen Ellyn, IL
Position Type: Computing - Management/Director

Director, AI Strategy & Technology Partnerships (FT), AFREDIRAITECH

Director, AI Strategy & Technology Partnerships (FT), AFREDIRAITECH
The College of DuPage is a comprehensive community college located 27 miles west of downtown Chicago, vitally connected to our local area for over 50 years. We prepare students for a lifelong passion for learning on our 273-acre campus which is home to nine associate degrees and a wide variety of professional and technical certificates. Many of these credentials prepare students to seamlessly articulate into the baccalaureate programs of our higher education partner institutions.

College of DuPage is committed to student success and values an inclusive and welcoming community environment. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workforce. Our connection to the larger metropolitan area is essential to our success and provides a wealth of diverse cultural and recreational opportunities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
The Director of AI Strategy & Technology Partnerships provides strategic and operational leadership for the design, adoption, and responsible implementation of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), immersive learning technologies (VR/AR/XR), and intelligent systems, across the College of DuPage. This role advances the College's mission by integrating innovative technologies into teaching and learning, administrative operations, student services, and institutional governance, while fostering strong collaboration with faculty, staff, students, industry partners, K-12 districts, and the broader community. The Director serves as both a technical strategist and a hands-on leader, guiding high-impact initiatives, building internal capacity, and positioning COD as a regional hub for AI innovation, workforce development, and responsible technology use.

Lead the development and execution of COD's institutional strategy for AI and immersive technologies in alignment with the College's strategic plan, academic mission, and shared governance principles.

Partner closely with academic leadership, faculty, ITS, student services, and administrative units to embed AI and immersive technologies into instructional design, curriculum, operations, and decision-making processes.

Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on emerging technology trends, opportunities, risks, and policy implications.

Collaborate with faculty to support the pedagogically sound integration of AI and immersive technologies across disciplines, including workforce, transfer, and general education programs.

Support the development of AI-enabled learning tools, simulations, digital twins, intelligent tutoring systems, and immersive learning environments.

Promote responsible, ethical, and inclusive uses of AI that enhance access, equity, and student success.

Drive the adoption of AI-enabled solutions across administrative and student-facing functions, including analytics, reporting, workflow automation, and intelligent agents.

Identify opportunities to embed AI within existing systems, products, and processes to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and user experience.

Maintain a continuous pulse on emerging AI applications relevant to higher education operations and governance.

Establish COD as a regional AI and innovation hub, supporting small businesses, startups, and community partners through education, collaboration, and applied innovation.

Host public forums, workshops, and convenings on AI and emerging technologies in partnership with technology companies, workforce organizations, and civic leaders.

Lead outreach and collaboration with K-12 partners to promote responsible AI literacy, ethical use, and early exposure to emerging technologies.

Build and sustain partnerships with technology companies, industry leaders, research institutions, and government agencies to support innovation, funding, and applied learning opportunities.

Represent COD at regional, state, and national forums related to AI, immersive technologies, and digital innovation.

Build, mentor, and lead a multidisciplinary team of professionals focused on AI, immersive technology, and innovation.

Foster a culture of experimentation, collaboration, continuous learning, and responsible innovation.

Serve as a technical enabler for campus teams by providing guidance, frameworks, and hands-on support for AI-driven projects.

Collaborate with institutional leadership to develop policies, guidelines, and governance frameworks for the ethical, transparent, and secure use of AI and immersive technologies.

Ensure alignment with accreditation standards, data privacy regulations, accessibility requirements, and institutional values.

Other relevant duties.

Qualifications:

Education
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., computer science, information systems, educational technology, data science, engineering, or related discipline) required.
- Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., educational technology, computer science, information systems, data science, engineering, or a related discipline) preferred.

Experience
- Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in emerging technologies, digital innovation, or technology leadership, preferably in higher education, public sector, or complex organizations required.
- Demonstrated experience leading AI-enabled or immersive technology initiatives from concept through implementation required.
- Strong understanding of AI applications, intelligent systems, data analytics, and emerging technology ecosystems required.
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, technologists, administrators, and external partners required.
- Experience building and leading teams and managing complex, cross-functional projects required.
- Experience in higher education governance, faculty collaboration, or shared decision-making environments preferred.
- Familiarity with responsible AI frameworks, ethics, data privacy, and accessibility standards preferred.
- Experience working with K-12 systems, workforce partners, or community-based organizations preferred.
- Track record of securing grants, partnerships, or external funding for innovation initiatives preferred.

Regular travel required.

This is a fully on-campus position with an expectation of on-site work five days per week; hybrid work is not available.

This position requires a background check and a drug screen.

Competitive starting salaries are dependent on education and experience. College of DuPage also offers a generous benefits plan.

Grade 16/ Starting salary beginning at $131,800/annually, based on education and experience

To apply please submit your electronic application, unofficial transcripts, current curriculum vita, a cover letter including a list of three references.

Applications accepted until 11:59 p.m. CST, Sunday, August 9, 2026.

This position requires a pre-employment background and drug screen.

College of DuPage is an equal opportunity employer. The College of DuPage is committed to recruiting and retaining high performing talent to our institution, continuing our tradition of excellence. We encourage all people across the broad spectrum of those communities we serve to explore and apply for positions at COD for which they believe they are qualified.

College of DuPage does not discriminate against individuals in employment opportunities, programs and/or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, veterans' status, marital status, disability, military status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or on any other basis protected by law.

To apply, visit https://cod.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/3123?c=cod