Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks a visionary, entrepreneurial, and collaborative leader to serve as the inaugural Executive Director of RISD Ready!.
RISD is a nonprofit college and museum founded in 1877 in Providence, Rhode Island. By cultivating expansive and elastic thinking, RISD equips artists, designers, and scholars to generate and challenge the ideas that shape our world, making it stand out among the world’s preeminent colleges of art and design. The RISD community is made up of critical thinkers and makers who share a belief in the value of hands-on learning, experimentation, and an ever-evolving approach to studio education reinforced by liberal arts studies. Today 2,606 students from 60 countries engage in more than 40 full-time bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, supported by a committed faculty and worldwide network of more than 33,000 alumni.
Reporting directly to the President, the Executive Director will take the findings and recommendations of the Preparedness for Life After RISD Strategic Initiative and build a comprehensive and dynamic program for student readiness from the ground up, while thoughtfully leveraging existing resources and deepening partnerships with academic and administrative departments.
The Executive Director will possess deep familiarity with creative industries and an understanding of art and design education, and can integrate those knowledge bases to weave curricular, co-curricular, and professional development resources into a cohesive, equitable framework that serves all RISD students and that is sensitive to the differentiated needs of a diverse student body, including those who are first in their families to attend college, who enter art school without established networks in art and design, or who are otherwise underrepresented in art and design fields.
The successful candidate will bring a broad understanding of the high-impact practices and experiences that support and prepare emerging artists and designers, such as internships, residencies, exhibitions, publications, fairs, mentorship programs, and other professional opportunities. They will be excited by and dedicated to the goals of ensuring that art and design students are prepared for successful, sustainable, and purposeful creative lives upon graduation. They will also be a visible ambassador and fundraiser, building partnerships with faculty, alumni, donors, galleries, museums, design firms, and other cultural and creative institutions.
The Executive Director will have the leadership skills to successfully navigate complex institutional and budgetary realities, and will be intellectually curious, administratively agile, and socially collaborative. The successful candidate will also thrive in creative environments and will bring the initiative and self-direction necessary to work with significant independence.
WittKieffer is assisting RISD in this search. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV/resume and a letter of interest. Review of applications has begun and will continue until the position is filled. For fullest consideration, all materials should be received by April 9, 2026.
Please direct all nominations and applications to Charlene Aguilar and Shelley Arakawa, J.D. through the WittKieffer Candidate Portal by using the buttons above or below. Additional inquiries can be directed to:
Charlene Aguilar and Shelley Arakawa, J.D.
RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law