Description
Associate Dean for Research, Development, & Innovation
Georgia Institute of Technology
A NATIONAL LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY WITHIN THE COLLEGE OF LIFETIME LEARNING
Search conducted by Ferra Executive Search
The Role In Context
Georgia Institute of Technology seeks a distinguished scholar-leader to serve as Associate Dean for Research, Development, & Innovation in the College of Lifetime Learning. This tenured faculty appointment will guide the strategic direction of research, experimentation, and applied innovation across one of the Institute’s newest academic colleges.
Founded in 2024, the College of Lifetime Learning advances the science and practice of learning systems designed for a world of constant change. As education models evolve, the College is positioned not only to deliver programs, but to study, test, and scale new approaches to learning across the learner lifecycle. The Associate Dean will lead this work at both conceptual and operational levels, aligning research activity, innovation incubation, and technological deployment with Institute strategy.
This role oversees the College’s research centers, with a current grants and operations portfolio of approximately $15 million. The Associate Dean will align research agendas with the Georgia Tech Strategic Plan, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and ensure that research initiatives contribute meaningfully to institutional priorities and public impact.
In addition to stewarding research infrastructure, the position will guide development of synthetic and simulation models, digital twin environments, and scalable experimentation platforms. The Associate Dean will also provide strategic direction for the deployment of artificial intelligence systems and tools across the College, supporting research, instructional innovation, and operational advancement. The role requires a leader capable of translating research insights into actionable innovation—testing ideas, refining models, and, where appropriate, supporting the transition of successful initiatives into scalable programs, services, or solutions. At a formative stage in the College’s development, the Associate Dean will play a defining role in establishing its research identity and innovation footprint.
Why This Role
This position offers the opportunity to shape the research and innovation architecture of a newly established academic college. The Associate Dean will guide interdisciplinary inquiry, advance experimentation in learning systems, and position Georgia Tech as a leader in the study and application of scalable learning innovation.
Why Now
As higher education and workforce systems undergo rapid technological transformation, institutions must move beyond incremental reform toward research-driven innovation. The College of Lifetime Learning is designed to serve as a testbed for new models of learning, credentialing, and organizational development. Georgia Tech seeks a leader who can steward this work thoughtfully, rigorously, and at scale.
Why Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech’s research intensity, technological expertise, and collaborative culture create a distinctive environment for advancing applied learning research. With more than $1.4 billion in annual research activity and a strong record of interdisciplinary innovation, the Institute provides a powerful platform for experimentation, AI deployment, and systems-level inquiry aligned with public impact.
Core Responsibilities
The Associate Dean for Research, Development, & Innovation provides senior leadership for the College of Lifetime Learning’s research strategy, innovation ecosystem, and applied experimentation platforms. The role requires scholarly distinction, interdisciplinary fluency, and the ability to align research, technological development, and institutional strategy.
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND PORTFOLIO DIRECTION
- Establish and advance the College’s research agenda in alignment with the Georgia Tech Strategic Plan.
- Lead interdisciplinary initiatives that integrate research, experimentation, and applied innovation across the learner lifecycle.
- Position the College as a national leader in the science and practice of learning systems.
- Identify emerging research domains that strengthen the College’s scholarly identity and long-term| impact.
RESEARCH CENTERS AND INFRASTRUCTURE
- Provide oversight and strategic direction for the College’s research centers, with a current grants and operations portfolio of approximately $15 million.
- Lead multifunctional teams of research faculty and administrative staff supporting center operations.
- Strengthen research infrastructure, grant development capacity, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Ensure effective stewardship of sponsored funding and alignment with Institute compliance and reporting requirements.
SYNTHETIC AND SIMULATION MODELS
- Guide the development and deployment of synthetic organizations, digital twins, and simulation modeling environments that can be scaled for internal and external research applications.
- Establish strategic goals and milestones for simulation-based research initiatives.
- Integrate modeling platforms with broader research, teaching, and engagement activities.
- Advance experimentation frameworks that support rigorous testing and evaluation of learning innovations.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STRATEGY AND DEPLOYMENT
- Set strategic direction for the deployment of artificial intelligence systems and tools across the College.
- Identify opportunities for AI to enhance research design, learner modeling, organizational development, and operational efficiency.
- Ensure responsible, ethical, and policy-aligned implementation of AI technologies.
SYSTEMS LEARNING AND INNOVATION PIPELINE
- Lead research and development of scalable organizational learning models and evaluation frameworks.
- Establish methodologies to assess return on investment and measurable impact of deployed learning systems.
- Translate research findings into actionable innovations, and where appropriate, support the transition of successful initiatives into scalable programs, products, or services.
- Foster a culture of disciplined experimentation and evidence-based innovation.
INSTITUTIONAL COLLABORATION AND EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT
- Partner with the Dean and College leadership to align research, development, and innovation priorities with strategic goals.
- Represent the College in Institute-level research and innovation forums.
- Build relationships with external collaborators, funding agencies, and interdisciplinary partners.
- Support faculty development in securing external research funding and advancing scholarly impact.
Experience and Professional Judgment
Georgia Institute of Technology seeks a scholar-leader whose record reflects distinction in research, demonstrated success securing external funding, and experience guiding interdisciplinary initiatives within complex research university environments. The successful candidate will bring a national or international reputation consistent with appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor.
This role requires the ability to operate at the intersection of scholarship, technological development, and institutional strategy. The Associate Dean must be comfortable stewarding significant research portfolios, aligning multidisciplinary teams, and translating research insights into scalable innovation.
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND AND CREDENTIALS
- Earned doctoral or terminal degree in a relevant discipline required. Faculty appointment at a rank commensurate with scholarly record and experience. More information on the determination of faculty rank, promotion and tenure evaluation is available online in the GT Faculty Handbook in section 3.3.4 here.
- Distinguished record of scholarly research consistent with a research-intensive public university.
- Demonstrated contribution to areas related to learning systems, artificial intelligence, simulation
- modeling, organizational learning, or interdisciplinary research domains aligned with the College’s mission.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Seven to ten or more years of progressively responsible leadership in higher education research environments.
- Substantial experience securing and managing externally funded research grants.
- Experience leading interdisciplinary research centers or large collaborative initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to align research agendas with institutional strategic priorities.
- Experience managing research budgets, infrastructure, and compliance processes.
- Experience mentoring faculty, postdoctoral scholars, and graduate students.
- Familiarity with emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and simulation-based research platforms.
PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES AND JUDGMENT
- Demonstrated capacity to lead innovation while maintaining scholarly rigor.
- Ability to build consensus across disciplines and functional areas.
- Strategic thinker capable of advancing long-term research vision.
- Strong executive presence and credibility with faculty, institutional leadership, and external partners
- Commitment to ethical research practices and responsible technological deployment.
- Dedication to mentoring, teaching, and fostering a culture of intellectual curiosity and disciplined experimentation.
About Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Institute of Technology is a leading public research university situated in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 1885, Georgia Tech is recognized nationally and globally for its commitment to technological innovation, academic rigor, and public impact. The Institute serves more than 50,000 undergraduate, graduate, and executive students across programs in engineering, computing, science, business, design, and the liberal arts.
Georgia Tech’s research enterprise exceeds $1.4 billion annually and spans disciplines ranging from artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing to sustainability, semiconductors, biomedical technology, and national security. The Institute ranks among the nation’s top universities for research and development expenditures and maintains strong partnerships with industry, government, and nonprofit organizations.
As a public institution within the University System of Georgia, Georgia Tech is guided by principles of integrity, excellence, accountability, and respect. Its mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. This commitment extends beyond traditional degree pathways to include innovative models of education that respond to workforce evolution, technological change, and societal need. The Institute identifies nine core values that guide its work.
The College of Lifetime Learning operates within this broader institutional framework, contributing to Georgia Tech’s strategic focus on accessibility, innovation, and public service. The Institute’s scale, technological expertise, and industry engagement provide a distinctive environment for advancing learning systems that are adaptable, research-informed, and aligned with real-world outcomes.
Organizational Context and Reporting Structure
THE COLLEGE OF LIFETIME LEARNING
Founded in 2024, the College of Lifetime Learning represents a strategic evolution in how Georgia Institute of Technology advances education across the full arc of life. As a research-driven academic college, it integrates academic rigor, workforce-aligned learning, and flexible pathways designed to meet the needs of learners at every stage—from early exploration through advanced study and professional reinvention.
The College was established in recognition of the accelerating pace of technological, economic, and workforce change. Traditional degree models alone are no longer sufficient for careers and communities that evolve continuously. The College advances the science and practice of learning systems that adapt over time, emphasizing stackable credentials, learner agency, reduced friction, and sustained engagement.
Through research, teaching, and engagement, the College contributes to Georgia Tech’s broader mission to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. Its work spans degree programs, non-credit credentials, applied research initiatives, and innovation platforms that test and refine new models of learning at scale.
REPORTING STRUCTURE AND SCOPE
The Associate Dean for Research, Development, & Innovation serves as a senior academic leader within the College and reports directly to the Dean. The role operates at the center of the College’s research strategy, overseeing research centers, interdisciplinary initiatives, and the development of innovation infrastructure aligned with Institute priorities.
The Associate Dean provides strategic direction for research centers with a combined grants and operations portfolio of approximately $15 million. The position leads multifunctional teams of research faculty and administrative staff, ensuring that research activity advances the College’s mission and aligns with Georgia Tech’s broader strategic goals.
The role requires close collaboration with Institute research leadership, cross-college partners, funding agencies, and external collaborators. As the College continues to define its research identity and innovation footprint, the Associate Dean will play a central role in shaping scalable experimentation platforms, advancing AI-enabled research initiatives, and strengthening interdisciplinary engagement.
This position demands institutional fluency, strategic foresight, and the ability to translate research insight into meaningful, real-world impact.
Atlanta, Georgia
Georgia Institute of Technology is located in Atlanta, one of the nation’s largest and most influential metropolitan areas. Atlanta serves as a major center for higher education, government, healthcare, business, and transportation, and plays a significant role in the economic and civic life of the southeastern United States.
The Atlanta metropolitan region is home to more than six million residents and a diverse range of institutions and organizations, including Fortune 500 companies, research universities, nonprofit organizations, and federal and state agencies. The city’s economy spans technology, healthcare, logistics, finance, media, and advanced manufacturing, creating a dynamic and interconnected professional environment.
Atlanta offers a broad range of cultural, educational, and civic resources. The city is home to nationally recognized museums, performing arts organizations, and historic institutions, as well as extensive park systems and public spaces. Neighborhoods throughout the region provide a variety of residential options, reflecting the city’s size and diversity.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport provides direct access to destinations throughout the United States and around the world, supporting national and international engagement. Georgia Tech’s centrally located campus allows for close connection to the region’s professional, governmental, and cultural institutions.
For leaders seeking a setting that combines professional opportunity, public engagement, and institutional complexity, Atlanta provides a substantive and well-connected environment.
About Ferra Executive Search
Ferra Executive Search is a boutique executive search firm with experience recruiting senior leaders for research universities, complex public institutions, and mission-driven organizations. The firm works closely with governing boards, presidents, chancellors, and senior administrators on searches that require judgment, discretion, and institutional fluency.
Ferra is known for a hands-on, highly engaged approach. Searches are led directly by senior consultants who remain closely involved throughout the process, from early consultation and candidate development through final selection. The firm places particular emphasis on understanding institutional context, leadership expectations, and the sensitivities associated with high-profile and regulated roles.
This search is led by Kevin Ferra, President and Founder of Ferra Executive Search. Kevin brings more than two decades of experience working with senior leaders in higher education and other complex environments. He is known for his thoughtful, candidate-centered approach and for conducting searches with professionalism, care, and discretion.
Ferra is committed to a search process that is thorough, confidential, and respectful of both candidates and institutions. All inquiries and conversations are handled with appropriate sensitivity, recognizing the professional responsibilities and standing of individuals currently serving in senior leadership roles.
Procedure for Candidacy
Georgia Institute of Technology has retained Ferra Executive Search to assist with this important search. Applications, nominations, and inquiries are welcomed and will be handled in confidence.
Candidates should submit a curriculum vitae and a letter of interest addressing relevant experience, leadership approach, and alignment with the responsibilities of the role. Materials should reflect experience in strategic portfolio leadership, academic collaboration, revenue stewardship, and innovation in learning systems, as applicable. Nominations of qualified individuals are encouraged and may be submitted in confidence. Additional information regarding the search timeline and process will be shared with candidates as appropriate. References will not be contacted without a candidate’s knowledge.
For inquiries, nominations, or to apply, please email:
Kevin Ferra, President and Founder
Ferra Executive Search
USG Core Values Statement
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. USG Statement of Core Values (8.2.18.01.02) and Code of Conduct (08.02.18.01.04) https://usg.policystat.com/policy/19685863/latest.
06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom https://usg.policystat.com/policy/19463289/latest.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Institute is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and Institute policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.
Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (“USG”) and Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of an individual’s race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.
More information on these policies can be found here: https://usg.policystat.com/policy/19843134/latest/#autoid-6wag5 (Board of Regents Policy Manual, University System of Georgia).