Job Details

Maker Space Manager

Position Number: 6383694
Location: Boston, MA
Position Type: Fine and Applied Arts - Other Fine & Applied Arts

Maker Space Manager

About the Opportunity

About the College of Arts, Media and Design

We are a vibrant community of creators, designers, technologists, and communicators applying creativity across disciplines and harnessing emerging technologies to advance human potential and solve the challenges of the future.

Powered by experience-driven teaching, learning and research, CAMD demonstrates that the fields of design, communication, media, and the arts are crucial to the human experience, society, and the development of technology. We empower the next generations of students, researchers, and creative practitioners to create the future by sparking their innovative, creative, curious, and entrepreneurial spirit.

About the Opportunity

We are seeking a full-time Makerspace Manager who will educate and inspire students in the art, technology, and practice of fabrication and making, with an overarching focus on safety and stewardship. This position, which reports to the Director of the Media Studios Organization (MSO), leads a team to manage, maintain, and support the of the CAMD MSO Makerspace ecosystem. They will supervise all fabrication facilities within the MSO, including the Ryder Makerspace, the Ruggles CNC Routing Lab, Ruggles' digital fabrication facilities, the Creative Technology Lab, and future CAMD fabrication footprints in Boston and network campuses. They are mission critical to the support and success of making-centered curricula and research across six CAMD academic departments. Successful candidates will have a deliberate approach to belonging, strong shop management skills, strong people management skills, and an interest in formulating and implementing innovative improvements to CAMD Makerspaces. Candidates should have experience fostering an environment of belonging with students, faculty, and staff.

The Makerspace Manager will supervise, train, and coordinate two full-time lab support coordinators, one full-time co-op each semester, and a team of approximately 30 part-time student staff each semester. They will also write, develop, and integrate policies related to Makerspace access, safety-trainings, and orientations for the whole CAMD community to be hosted in three unique makerspace footprints. They will also generate, maintain, and supervise the writing of technical user guides for all technology available in the Makerspaces. They will maintain and supervise the integration of this technical information on internal and external CAMD websites.

This staff position will also ensure compliance and collaboration with the Northeastern Office of Academic Research and Safety to uphold all safety standards, including hazardous material reporting. They will work with Northeastern Office of Emergency Management to properly train student staff on Fire Safety.

The Makerspace Manager will work directly with the Director of the MSO to generate and propose an operational budget for their entire footprint, including staffing, operations, repair and replacement activity, and capital expenditures. They must responsibly allocate budget funds each fiscal year and demonstrate experience managing a six-figure budget. Annually, the Makerspace Manager will research, select, evaluate, and/or re-assess equipment for all fabrication facilities under their supervision. They will work with vendors to optimize equipment acquisitions and consumable supplies. This role will also establish and maintain equipment inventory for all resources across their footprint and coordinate with vendors and Northeastern Facilities to receive large-volume material orders. They will coordinate, plan, and supervise weekly equipment maintenance sessions with Makerspace staff.

Candidates should have experience working in higher education. The Makerspace Manager will lead communication with faculty prior to each semester to understand fabrication course demands, and they will coordinate 100+ hours of scheduled instructional orientations, safety-trainings, and workshops each semester. This position will supervise the onboarding of 800-1000 new students in their footprint each semester and ensure they are able to safely use all Makerspaces. They will also maintain a database of approved users for shop-based woodworking equipment. The Makerspace Manager is expected to attend the departmental meetings in the School of Architecture and the Department of Art & Design's to communicate makerspace-specific updates, and to better understand curricular evolution for the effective integration of fabrication activities within existing and new coursework. They will also coordinate with CAMD research faculty and lead equipment acquisitions based on available grant funding.

The Makerspace Manager will work collaboratively with colleagues in the Media Studios Organization, including but not limited to the Associate Director of IT/AV, Production Studios Manager, XR Immersive Media Lab Manager, Media Center Manager, and the Game Design Studio Manager. Outside of CAMD, the Makerspace Manager will work collaboratively with the Executive Director of the EXP Makerspace to support a mutually beneficial making culture across campus, and to extend making-centered educational opportunities to users across the university.

Additional Information

Northeastern University will not provide H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3, or any other type of employment visa sponsorship for the successful applicant to this position, now or in the future. Furthermore, the successful applicant must be able to maintain valid work authorization in the United States throughout the entire appointment without Northeastern University's sponsorship for a visa.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have 5+ years leading fabrication operations at a university or in a large-scale community setting.
A bachelor's degree in architecture, art, design, engineering, or in a related field is required; applicants with an MFA are preferred.
Candidate must have experience with a wide variety of fabrication skills, including machining, 3d printing, laser cutting, sewing, electronics, woodworking, Rhino, and other design and prototyping equipment.
They will have demonstratable success with safety, teaching and mentoring, fabrication, and/or making with a strong background in maintaining and repairing shop equipment. Strong organizational, communication, collaboration, and time management skills and ability to handle multiple workstreams are essential.
Candidates will have knowledge and understanding of current Environmental Health and Safety practices within makerspaces or shops.
Candidates must have the ability to lift 50 lbs.

Position Type

Research

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type:
110S

Expected Hiring Range:
$75,210.00 - $106,230.00

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.

To apply, visit https://northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/careers/job/Boston-MA-Main-Campus/Maker-Space-Manager_R134439