University Associate Dean for Academic AI Initiatives, Office of Academic Innovation

University Associate Dean for Academic AI Initiatives, Office of Academic Innovation

POSITION DETAILS

The Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and University Provost oversees all academic policies governing the University's 26 institutions, which offer 2,844 academic programs, including 325 associate degrees, 1,310 bachelor's degrees, 797 master's degrees, 95 certificates, 360 advanced certificates, and 71 doctoral degrees. In a single integrated system, the Office is responsible for the strategic leadership, development, and implementation of university-wide initiatives aimed at raising academic quality, improving student success, and providing New Yorkers with equal access to quality education. The Office of Academic Innovation, a division within this overarching Office of Academic Affairs (OAA), leads system-wide change initiatives focused on leveraging new and emerging academic tools and technologies to enhance the academic ecosystem, scale online education through CUNY Online, and supports all OAA units through procurement and business process improvement. OAA is rapidly expanding its use of artificial intelligence across teaching, learning, research, and academic and student service areas, supported by significant institutional investments, including a $3.2M innovation fund spanning 25 colleges and a $3M investment in Google’s Cloud Platform to enable AI infrastructure at scale. This role will ensure even adoption of AI within OAA, enabling all units to innovate and integrate AI in meaningful ways. Reporting to the Senior University Dean of Academic Innovation, the University Associate Dean for Academic AI Initiatives addresses this gap by serving as a consultative, cross-functional strategist who enables AI integration across CUNY’s academic ecosystem, especially the Central Office of Academic Affairs. This role empowers leaders and units to identify opportunities, clarify needs, and responsibly implement AI solutions. The University Associate Dean functions as an equity safeguard, ensuring an equitable distribution of resources. They will collaborate with CIS, OGC, and other partners to ensure access to resources, provide guidance on responsible use, and develop process maps across functional areas. This role will also build relationships across the system, maintain an inventory of AI initiatives, and have their “finger on the pulse” of what’s happening with AI across the system, to help create opportunities and make connections. Academic Leadership and Strategic Advisory Advise the Senior University Dean of Academic Innovation, and the OAA Cabinet on the academic implications of AI adoption across units, and surface emerging needs in teaching, learning, research, and student support. Guide OAA units in identifying AI opportunities aligned with their strategic goals, translating those opportunities into scoped, feasible initiatives. Contribute to the design and ongoing evolution of CUNY’s academic AI ecosystem, including input into enterprise procurements such as the Google Cloud Platform initiative. Serve as an informed resource helping units understand the landscape of AI tools, risks, and institutional capacity. Equitable and Responsible AI Adoption Identify units with high potential but low AI readiness and provide targeted consultative support to reduce inequities in innovation access across OAA. Establish and maintain academic guardrails, responsible-use frameworks, and academic-integrity protocols for the use of generative AI in coursework, assessment, scholarship, and administration. Ensure compliance with data privacy laws, accessibility standards, and applicable state and federal regulations; coordinate with CIS and OGC on cybersecurity standards, model risk, and vendor due diligence. Embed critical examination of AI’s social, environmental, and labor impacts into adoption frameworks and professional learning. Cross-Unit Coordination and Integration Translate academic unit needs into actionable proposals and help prioritize projects for routing into the institutional technology and transformation pipeline, coordinated with CIS, and Chief Data Governance partners. Serve as an integrator between academic units, administrative offices (e.g., Enrollment Management, Student Affairs, Libraries, Registrar, Research, Career and Industry Partnerships), and technical partners. Collaborate across OAA and with offices such as the Office of General Counsel, Office of Procurement, and Computer & Information Services (CIS) to align AI initiatives with governance, legal, and operational requirements. Convene cross-functional working groups and communities of practice to share resources, coordinate AI-related initiatives, and align campus-level innovation with university goals. Institutional Transformation and Capacity Building Lead process mapping and needs assessments across OAA units to identify AI opportunities, assess feasibility, review equity considerations, and determine change readiness. Develop, pilot, and document AI use cases (e.g., proactive advising, personalized learning, workflow automation), working directly with stakeholders to test, refine, and identify infrastructure or service needs. Educate OAA teams on the responsible use of AI and foster communities of practice that support safe, productive experimentation leading to scalable innovation. Organize workshops, training, and events to build AI literacy and readiness among faculty, staff, and academic administrators. Support faculty research and innovation by identifying funding opportunities, developing partnerships, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, in coordination with OAA’s Office of Research. Continuous Improvement and Outcomes Monitor the progress of AI initiatives from concept through implementation, providing ongoing guidance and troubleshooting as projects move into the institutional pipeline. Engage regularly with advisory groups and working groups to gather feedback, adjust priorities, and maintain broad stakeholder alignment. Track and report on initiative status, outcomes, and lessons learned; contribute to an annual AI Impact Report that documents OAA’s progress and areas for growth. Identify and disseminate best practices, support responsible public communication of AI-related work, and help establish CUNY as a thoughtful contributor to national conversations on AI in higher education. NOTE: Until further notice, this position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum: All executive positions require a minimum of a Bachelor's degree and eight years' related experience. This position is in CUNY's Executive Compensation Plan. Preferred Advanced degree in Artificial Intelligence or AI Leadership, Computer Science, Data Science, Educational Technology, or a relevant discipline. At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in AI strategy, innovation, or digital transformation, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership role in higher education, government, or a comparable mission-driven organization. Demonstrated expertise in AI technologies and their ethical, regulatory, and social implications. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, facilitate organizational change, and operate effectively as a consultative resource across complex institutional environments. Experience developing and implementing AI policies, governance frameworks, or institutional strategies within higher education. Exceptional communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience presenting to executive leadership or boards. Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in technology adoption and implementation. Demonstrated success in securing grants or partnerships to advance AI research or educational innovation. Experience in curriculum design, faculty development, or AI literacy training. Familiarity with data governance, privacy, cybersecurity, and compliance in academic settings. Background in project or change management methodologies (e.g., PMP, Prosci).

CUNY TITLE

University Associate Dean

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range is $165,000 - $174,000 , commensurate with credentials, education, and experience. CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr City University of New York