Executive Director of Creative Development & Industry Relations

Company Description

For over 25 years, Gnomon has been empowering some of the world’s leading digital artists through high-quality education in visual effects, animation, and game design. With an innovative bachelor's degree program, a certificate program, over 100 individual courses, and a High School Summer Camp, Gnomon provides diverse learning opportunities. Situated in a 45,000-square-foot campus in North Hollywood, CA, the facility is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and creative spaces. Recognized by Forbes as one of the top U.S. colleges in 2023, Gnomon boasts over 1,000 graduates employed at top studios globally, equipping students with the skills and expertise to thrive in competitive industries.

Role Description

This is a full-time, on-site role based in Los Angeles, CA. The Executive Director of Creative Development & Industry Relations is responsible for safeguarding and advancing the brand, reputation, and industry relevance of Gnomon.  This role ensures that all internal and external expressions of the institution consistently reflect the quality, standards, and values aligned with Gnomon’s mission and standing within the community.

Operating as a cross-functional leader under the guidance and direction of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Executive Director partners closely with Marketing, Admissions, Education, Student Affairs, Placement, and the entire Gnomon Senior Leadership team to drive alignment between Gnomon’s brand, student experience, and industry expectations.  Through influence and strategic guidance, the Executive Director helps ensure that institutional priorities remain relevant, cohesive, and forward thinking.  The role also supports institutional alignment with advancements of industry, helping to inform curriculum evolution, educational scope, and overall program direction.  

A key function of this role is to serve as Gnomon’s representative within the creative and entertainment industries.  The Executive Director will cultivate relationships, maintain an active industry presence, and facilitate meaningful engagement between industry professionals and the institution.  The Executive Director brings external insight back into the organization, helping to inform positioning, strengthen industry alignment, and support continued growth.  The Executive Director will also have the opportunity to put into practice this knowledge and experience as a regularly scheduled Instructor.  

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following areas:

Brand Reputation and Safeguarding

• Uphold and continuously refine Gnomon’s brand identity across all touchpoints
• Collaborate with stakeholders to align public-facing content and messaging with evolving industry expectations and standards.
• Safeguard Gnomon’s reputation as a leading postsecondary institution in digital production training for the entertainment industry

Industry Engagement and External Relations

• Serve as a primary ambassador of Gnomon to industry professionals, studios, and partners
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the animation, VFX, and game industries
• Create opportunities for industry professionals to engage with Gnomon (events, panels, partnerships, recruitment pipelines, etc.)
• Represent Gnomon through high-level speaking engagements at industry conferences, trade shows, and other external outreach opportunities
• Stay deeply informed on industry trends, hiring needs, and emerging technologies

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with all Gnomon departments to ensure alignment with Gnomon’s mission and market position
• Provide strategic input and creative direction
• Act as a connector across departments to ensure cohesive execution of initiatives
• Identify gaps and opportunities to strengthen Gnomon’s positioning relative to evolving industry standards and expectations

Strategic Insight and Innovation

• Monitor industry trends, competitive landscape, and educational shifts to inform institutional direction
• Advise leadership on opportunities for growth, innovation, and differentiation
• Help guide curriculum relevance by ensuring alignment with current and future industry trends
• Contribute to long-term strategic planning in partnership with CEO

Student Experience and Placement Outcomes

• Advocate for a student experience that reflects Gnomon’s mission and industry expectations
• Ensure alignment between brand promise and actual student outcomes
• Support initiatives that strengthen graduate readiness and industry placement
• Works in collaboration with Placement department to help identify emerging employment trends and help secure additional new, full-time employment opportunities for students

Teaching and Education Support

• Serve as a regularly scheduled Instructor, delivering course content that reflect current industry best practices and trends
• Provide students with direct insights into professional expectations, creative standards, and real-world production environments
• Collaborate with Education leadership and faculty to ensure curriculum remains aligned with industry

Education/Experience:

• Degree in Art, Animation, Visual Effects, Game Art, Digital Media, or a related creative field required
• 10-15+ years of progressive experience within the animation, visual effects, or game industries 
• Equivalent combination of professional industry experience and education may be considered
• Demonstrated credibility and established network within the professional creative community
• Proven experience in a senior creative, strategic, and industry-facing role
• Demonstrated ability to influence across teams without direct authority
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills
• Excellent communication and leadership skills
• Experience in a higher education setting is a plus

Competencies: 

• Demonstrate personal integrity and excellent interpersonal and communication skills to interact successfully with a diverse constituency, including vendors, students, families, faculty, and staff. 
• Must work well under pressure and be able to manage working on multiple projects under strict deadlines. 
• Extreme attention to detail, including top-notch organizing and multitasking skills, handle multiple projects and prioritize accordingly. 
• Appropriately handle, sort, file confidential and sensitive information, and locate, gather, synthesize, and interpret complex information. 
• Demonstrate a positive, collaborative attitude and strong work ethic. 
• Integrate new knowledge from a variety of sources with previous knowledge. 
• Read, write legibly, proofread, and follow written and oral instructions in English. Communicate clearly, effectively, and respectfully in writing and orally. 
• Strong personal accountability, problem solving and time management skills

EEO Statement:

Gnomon is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Gnomon does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and gender expression, religion, national origin, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, citizenship and/or immigration status, credit report or credit information, prior non-conviction arrest record, political activities or affiliations, child or spousal support withholding, domestic violence status, denial of family or medical care leave, lawful conduct occurring during nonworking hours away from the employer’s premises, and any other protected class, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Discriminatory, harassing, or retaliatory behavior is strictly prohibited.