Executive Director, University and College Designers Association (UCDA)

About UCDA:

The University & College Designers Association (UCDA), founded more than 50 years ago, serves as the professional home for designers and design educators working in higher education across North America and beyond. UCDA provides its members with opportunities for both professional and personal growth through a wide range of programming, including its flagship annual Design Conference, the UCDA Design Awards, the Design Education Summit, and the Creative Summit. In addition, UCDA offers year-round workshops, forums, and online resources such as Creative Conversations, topic-specific Slack channels, and networking opportunities that foster meaningful connections among peers.

UCDA’s mission is to connect, inspire, and support a creative community in education by advocating for the role of designers and educators within their institutions, sharing best practices, and elevating the value of design in higher education. The UCDA Foundation strengthens this mission by funding special initiatives, supporting new programming, and expanding opportunities to increase awareness of UCDA, its members, and their collective impact. Together, UCDA and the Foundation champion the importance of design and its critical role in advancing education.

Learn more at .

Summary:

Reporting to the UCDA board of directors and the UCDA Foundation board of directors, the executive director will execute the strategic and operational efficiencies of our organization and its programs. The ideal candidate will have experience operating a professional organization and implementing a successful membership plan, as membership growth and retention is a priority for UCDA.

UCDA seeks an executive director who is highly motivated and an efficient and effective partner to the UCDA and UCDAF boards with excellent verbal and written communication skills. The ideal candidate possesses the ability to establish and maintain relationships with a variety of constituents. They will also have professional experience within the graphic design and/or design education industries.

Job Description:

The executive director manages the daily operations and activities of an international design organization, administering and implementing the policies and procedures of the board of directors and executive committee; providing support services and assisting with the planning and implementation of organizational programming and special projects at the direction of the boards; providing continuity of information, excellent communication and services for current and potential members, partners, vendors, and sponsors.

Objectives of this role:

• Oversee daily operations of the organization including communicating with members and quality assurance.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with the UCDA and UCDAF boards
• Work closely with the UCDA board, UCDA Foundation board, and committees to assess and address issues affecting the organization, including annual strategic planning and long-term goals
• Assist the boards to elevate the awareness of the organization and its members while expanding its reach through partnerships with other organizations, vendors and sponsors
• Strive for diversity and inclusiveness in programming, memberships, and partnerships
• Oversee budget and manage monthly cash flow to ensure financial stability and growth of the organization
• Identify and address staffing or volunteer requirements for efficient operations, and maintain a strong work culture that attracts and retains people while driving the organization’s mission

Responsibilities:

• Strategic and Board Goals: Collaborate with the UCDA and UCDA Foundation board of directors to identify, create, and implement strategic plans and goals to actualize business objectives
• Membership: Process all memberships; submit reminders on a timely basis; collect and deposit all membership fees; maintain and update the current membership list; maintain and update membership data across different platforms; provide monthly membership and retention reports; create and send monthly member emails
• UCDA Design Awards: Process entries for annual competitions; and provide organizational support to the chair and committee
• Event Administration: Work with Programming Director and third-party vendors and properties on event contract negotiations for all UCDA in-person events; work with venue staff and outside vendors leading up to in-person events; provide on-site management logistics and support; produce and run the technology backend on UCDA virtual events; produce and maintain UCDA’s on-demand event video library; work with vendors and exhibitors for the UCDA Expo; process event registrations; and manage speaker contracts
• Board Support: Support UCDA and UCDA Foundation board members and volunteers; be dedicated to fulfilling the organization’s mission through highly successful programs, community engagement, and potential fundraising; attend all UCDA and UCDA Foundation board meetings; assist program chairs, co-chairs, and committees as needed
• Office: Maintain a remote office for the organization; provide information to all inquiries directed to the office; manage broadcast email schedule; coordinate, review, evaluate, and direct contracted services for the organization; help maintain organizational assets; monitor organizational operations and ensure business practices comply with all national and local regulatory and legal requirements; identify opportunities within the organization and its environment to protect business interests; research and recommend best practices
• Accounting services: Set, present and work within the annual budget in collaboration with the UCDA board; process payments and maintain all accounting records; pay daily bills; write checks; keep financial records and books; provide financial reports to the treasurers of both boards; reconcile monthly; prepare reports for and work with outside CPA/auditor
• Messaging: In collaboration with the board, maintain and develop strategic partnerships to further increase community awareness and expand programs; ensure accuracy of the UCDA message on all publications or posts published by the association; oversee and coordinate all external facing communications with committees and boards

Supervision

Received by employee: Directly responsible to the UCDA and UCDA Foundation board of directors, specifically the UCDA Board President and UCDA Foundation President

Exercised by employee: Supervises contracted labor as needed including but not limited to virtual assistants, print vendors, accountants and service providers.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Demonstrated administrative, organizational and management skills; proven budget

experience; excellent oral and written communication skills; familiarity with the design industry; public relations, and development skills.

• 4-5 years of experience in managing or working with an organization
• Experience in public relations, communications, marketing, social media and fundraising
• Knowledge of leadership and management principles for organizations
• Experience hosting and facilitating virtual programming such as webinars, presentations, or panel discussions
• Experience planning and facilitating multi-day, in-person events
• Exceptional verbal, written and interpersonal skills

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, business, arts administration, design, education or related field
• Experience managing a nonprofit organization
• Excellent multitasking and project management skills using technology tools
• Demonstrated strategic thinking, analytical skills and attention to detail, with a commitment to high standards
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills with the ability to interact and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholder groups
• Experience in managing budgets and accounting practices
• Entrepreneurial mindset, with innovative approach to business planning
• Knowledge and understanding of higher education institution cycles and practices

Technology

Demonstrated experience with collaborative cloud-based software; Google Workspace, Quickbooks or comparable software; Zoom; and various other online software applications

Specifics

• Full-time, annual contract position
• Typically requires 40 hours per week (8 hour shift, Monday through Friday)
• Fully-remote position—daily work can be performed at home; time away and periodic travel will be required. Some nights and weekends during board meetings and events
• Will be working with members across all North American time zones
• Attendance at monthly board meetings (virtual), executive committee meetings (virtual), annual in-person design conference and design education summit is mandatory.

Benefits

• UCDA has a 401K plan that the employees can participate in. Employees are eligible the first of the month after one month of employment. Also first of the month following one month of employment, the employee will receive $25,000 in company paid life insurance. Employees can also elect voluntary life insurance at a cost to the employee.
• Medical coverage to the employee may be reimbursed up to a certain amount, which will be discussed during the offer process.

Remote Home Environment and Workspace

• UCDA provides: MacBook Air and iMac computer with software; printer; mobile phone and service, a stipend for office furniture, office supplies, etc.
• Remote staff must have an adequate and safe home office setup, including:
• Comfortable desk and chair (UCDA can provide)
• Stipend for high-speed internet access
• Printer (UCDA can provide)
• Method for safeguarding and protecting sensitive data
• Access to storage or off-site storage unit

Salary Range

• $60,000 - 70,000 annually paid every two weeks.

Application deadline

• Monday, October 6, 2025
• Online applications only at http://www.ucda.com/forms/executive-director

Start Date

• November 2025 - January 2026

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: Remote