Director, Applied Technologies

at  University of Toronto

Date Posted: 04/05/2024
Req ID:36847
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Architecture,Landscape&Design
Department: Daniels Faculty of Arch., Land & Design
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

DESCRIPTION:

About us:
The Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto offers graduate programs in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, forestry, and visual studies — as well as unique undergraduate programs that use architectural studies and visual studies as a lens through which students may pursue a broad, liberal arts-based education. Its mission is to educate students, prepare professionals, and cultivate scholars who will play a leading role in creating more culturally engaged, ecologically sustainable, socially just, and artfully conceived environments. The greater Toronto region serves as a dynamic laboratory for both its students and faculty, while the University of Toronto, which year after year ranks among the top universities in the world, provides a wealth of knowledge and expertise that they can draw from. Like Toronto, Daniels students and faculty are incredibly cosmopolitan in sensibility, hailing from every part of the world, with their work crossing all sorts of geographic and cultural boundaries. The city’s multicultural networks and international connections make the Daniels Faculty a powerful place to start a career.
Position Summary:
Under the general direction of the Chief Administrative Officer (“CAO”), the Director, Applied Technologies (“Director”), has overall responsibility for developing and leading the applied technologies strategy and planning efforts for the Applied Technologies (AT) unit and ensures that AT programs and initiatives align with the goals and objectives of the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design. The incumbent leads the AT team; manages AT budgets/finances/purchases; and is responsible for all aspects of the digital, wood and metal fabrication workshops, studios, and laboratory operations and services for the Faculty, located at 1 Spadina Crescent, the North and South Borden buildings, and the Earth Sciences building. The Director has a broad set of responsibilities involving planning and managing resources and services to support a diverse array of needs and to support an environment of seamless teaching, training, learning, and event execution. The Director continually assesses the workshops, studios and laboratory operations to evaluate strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities, and establishes goals that are aligned with and support the Faculty’s mission and priorities.
The Director plans, implements, and maintains a comprehensive applied technologies environment.
The incumbent provides creative leadership and strategic direction, design, development, and management in the area of AT. Exercising a high degree of judgment and innovation, the Director explores opportunities to improve the utilization and functionality of workshops, studios, and laboratory spaces, developing long and short-term plans to optimize operations, minimize expense while providing excellent service to clients. The Director implements changes on a regular basis to meet growth requirements and adjusts technologies, as required, to meet a changing academic need. The incumbent oversees safe operation in all locations and ensures that facilities are in compliance with related health and safety laws, regulations, statutes and/or University policies and procedures.
The Director fully understands and appreciates the importance of applied technologies to the student experience at the Faculty. The Director consults with the Associate Dean, Academic, Program Directors as well as Manager, Academic Programs regularly to ensure applied technologies are aligned with Faculty programming and curriculum, and student experiential learning goals The Director networks with industry experts and engages with external colleagues to enhance the student experience, and to seize potential business development opportunities. The Director values, embodies, promotes, and instills in their team a service-oriented approach, with a focus on continual improvement and innovation.The Director has full managerial authority over the staff in the unit and is responsible for business continuity planning related to business disruptions and/or labour/work stoppage.

EDUCATION:

Master’s degree in architecture or equivalent combination of education and experience.

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum five (5) years’ experience in progressively more senior positions in applied technology management, preferably in an academic environment or institutional setting. Demonstrated experience in workshop and studio management in a mixed fabrication environment that includes traditional workshop and digital manufacturing technologies, such as computer- aided design and manufacturing (CADCAM); laboratory management, and construction management, digital fabrication and architectural and millwork design as well as project management. Fiscal and budget management experience including developing and monitoring budgets. Experience developing and implementing policies and procedures related to laboratories, workshop and studio management that ensures consistency, cost containment and attention to risk management. Demonstrated experience managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Hands-on carpentry, digital fabrication, and construction experience required. Experience managing, with a strong understanding of collective agreement administration and managing in a unionized environment. Experience interacting with students and faculty a strong asset.

SKILLS:

In depth knowledge of cutting-edge fabrication techniques, equipment, methods demonstrated advanced skills with a variety of different machines, such as robots, digital fabrication, all carpentry hand and powered hand tools, milling machines, lathes, saws, drills, grinders, welding and cutting equipment, etc; high level of mechanical aptitude; ability to complete complex designs; ability to work to fine tolerances; proficiency with CNC system, using standard machine shop tools and equipment; and 3D modeling and CADCAM skills as well as visualization technics to demonstrate prospective projects. Programming digital fabrication equipment including robots, 3D printers. Excellent computer skills: design applications, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, databases, and Outlook.

Please refer the Job description for details