Director of Blaizing Academy (Texas) at InsideHigherEd

Job no: 494647Work type: Administrative (Full Time)Location: OtherCategories: Administrative/ProfessionalJob Title: Director of Blaizing Academy (Texas)Reporting Relationship: VP of Enterprises & PartnershipsUnit: National & GlobalDepartment: N&G Regional Education Admin-NGBLCampus Location: This position will be a remote role, but the candidate must reside within the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas metroplex.Summary of Position: The Director of Blaizing Academy (Texas) will serve as both the overall content and program leader for IWU's AI-focused training enterprise and the key program delivery leader in the Texas market. This role combines deep understanding of large language models and their practical applications with exceptional training delivery skills to provide strategic leadership for Blaizing Academy while establishing and growing market presence in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and throughout Texas. The Director will partner with the Executive Director of Enterprises to develop and execute comprehensive sales strategies across Texas and IWU's broader service areas, while collaborating with the Director of Resource Development to design and deploy relevant, impactful online training programs. Focused on serving practitioners in business, education, and other sectors, this position will help professionals apply AI to their daily work and achieve immediate, valuable impact through our core AI Specialist Certificate and contextualized, domain-specific training programs. The role requires an expert in large language models and AI applications who excels at hands-on, engaging training for groups ranging from 16 to 60 participants while providing strategic direction to help people understand, use, and see the benefits of AI where they are.Duties and Responsibilities AI Training Delivery and Practitioner ImpactDeliver high-quality, hands-on AI training programs for practitioners in business, education, and other sectorsFacilitate in-person boot amps, workshops, and intensive training sessions focused on immediate, practical applicationLead online live cohorts and hybrid learning experiences that help participants apply AI to their daily workDeliver core AI Specialist Certificate training and contextualized, domain-specific programsProvide expert-level instruction on AI tools and implementation strategies that create immediate, valuable impactHelp participants understand, use, and see the benefits of AI in their specific work contextsStrategic Sales and Market DevelopmentPartner with Executive Director of Enterprises to develop and execute comprehensive sales strategies for Texas and IWU's broader service areasLead establishment and expansion of Blaizing Academy presence in DFW metroplex and throughout TexasIdentify and pursue new partnership opportunities with businesses, educational institutions, and organizationsGrow existing partner relationships and expand program offerings within current client baseConduct market research to identify AI training needs and emerging opportunities across target marketsRepresent Blaizing Academy at industry events, conferences, and networking opportunitiesPartnership Development and Strategic RelationshipsExplore and establish K-12 partnerships to deliver AI curriculum and teacher training programsBuild relationships with educational institutions seeking AI acceleration and professional developmentDevelop corporate partnerships with businesses wanting to enhance their teams' AI capabilitiesCreate strategic alliances with technology companies, workforce development agencies, and industry associationsCollaborate with economic development organizations and business chambers in target marketsEstablish referral networks and strategic partner channels for sustainable lead generation Content Leadership and Program DevelopmentProvide overall content and program leadership for Blaizing Academy across all marketsCollaborate with Director of Resource Development to design and deploy relevant, impactful online training programsDesign and develop new AI training programs based on practitioner needs and emerging technologiesCreate domain-specific AI applications and training modules for various industries and sectorsContinuously research and integrate latest AI tools, platforms, and methodologies into curriculumDevelop blended learning approaches that optimize practical application and immediate impactCreate assessment tools and certification pathways that validate real-world AI competency Qualifications: According to Indiana Wesleyan University employment policy all employees must possess a strong Christian commitment and adhere to the standards outlined in the IWU Community Lifestyle Statement.EducationBachelor's degree in computer science, data science, artificial intelligence, engineering, or related technical field or demonstrated experience applying and using LLMs for business outcomes required. Master's degree in AI, machine learning, or related field or experience leading AI-focused training preferred.ExperienceA minimum of five to seven (5-7) years of experience in related technical fields, with at least three (3) years of training delivery, adult education, or professional development experience preferredRequired SkillsThese are preferred skills. We understand that because of the rapidly changing nature of LLMs and generative AI, it is rare for one individual to have all of the skills listed below. We are looking for someone with a compelling mix of the outlined experiences. If you are interested in the role and believe you have what it takes, please consider applyingLarge Language Models and AI Application ExpertiseDeep understanding of large language models, their capabilities, limitations, and the surrounding ecosystem of AI tools and platformsHands-on experience connecting professionals and organizations to useful, practical AI applications that enhance daily workExpertise in teaching effective prompt engineering, AI tool selection, and workflow integration strategiesUnderstanding of how to help practitioners identify high-value AI use cases within their specific roles and industriesProficiency with leading AI platforms and tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, Google Bard, etc.) and their business applicationsAbility to translate complex LLM concepts into practical, actionable training that creates immediate workplace valueStaying current with rapidly evolving LLM landscape and emerging tools relevant to practitioner productivity and effectivenessTraining and Facilitation ExcellenceProven track record delivering engaging, hands-on training to groups of 15-60+ participantsExceptional presentation and public speaking skills with ability to engage diverse audiencesExperience designing and facilitating both in-person and virtual learning experiencesAdult learning principles and instructional design knowledgeAbility to adapt training delivery style to different learning preferences and skill levelsStrong workshop facilitation and group management skillsBusiness Development and Market ExpansionExperience establishing and growing programs in new geographic marketsBusiness development and partnership building capabilitiesUnderstanding of Texas business landscape and educational ecosystemProven ability to identify opportunities and convert prospects into long-term partnershipsTrack record of achieving growth targets and expanding market presenceLeadership and CommunicationExcellent written and verbal communication skills with technical and non-technical audiencesStrong relationship-building abilities across diverse stakeholder groupsEntrepreneurial mindset with ability to work independently and drive resultsStrategic thinking combined with tactical execution capabilitiesCultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively in diverse Texas communitiesMarket and Industry KnowledgeUnderstanding of corporate training and professional development marketsKnowledge of educational technology and learning management systemsFamiliarity with workforce development initiatives and continuing education landscapeExperience working with business leaders and educational administratorUnderstanding of certification and credentialing processesMission AlignmentStrong commitment to the mission, vision, and values of Indiana Wesleyan UniversityPassion for democratizing AI education and helping individuals and organizations succeedValues-driven approach to building partnerships and serving diverse learner populationsCommitment to ethical AI practices and responsible technology adoptionOther RequirementsWillingness to travel throughout Texas for training delivery and business development (up to 50%)Valid driver's license and reliable transportationAbility to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends for training deliveryComfortable with startup-like environment and building programs from the ground up, working independently alongside a distributed teamPhysical ability to facilitate full-day training sessions and manage training logisticsIWU Kingdom Diversity StatementIWU, in covenant with God's reconciling work and in accordance with the Biblical principles of our historic Wesleyan tradition, commits to build a community that reflects Kingdom diversity. We will foster an intentional environment for living, teaching and learning, which exhibits honor, respect, and dignity. Acknowledging visible or invisible differences, our community authentically values each member's earthly and eternal worth. We refute ignorance and isolation and embrace deliberate and courageous engagement that exhibits Christ's commandment to love all humankind.LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERAs a religious educational institution operating under the auspices of The Wesleyan Church, Indiana Wesleyan University is permitted and reserves the right to prefer employees on the basis of religion (42 U.S.C., Sections 2000e-1 and 2000e-2).The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws. Advertised: 02 Sep 2025 US Eastern Daylight TimeApplications close: 21 Dec 2025 US Eastern Standard TimeWhatsappFacebookLinkedInEmail App if (typeof SocialShareKit != 'undefined') { SocialShareKit.init({ forceInit: true, reinitialize: true, selector: '.social-share-kit .ssk' }); }