Executive Director of Creative Development & Industry Relations

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.

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

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.

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