Senior Director, Executive and Institutional Projects, Partner Relations

The Senior Director of Executive and Institutional Projects, Partner Relations plays a crucial role in leading communications for the chancellor of Vanderbilt University and institution-wide campaigns that expand and enhance Vanderbilt's visibility and reputation. The vision for this role is to elevate the chancellor's profile, raise Vanderbilt University's brand in key areas, advance the mission and achieve the business objectives of the university.

Drawing upon a comprehensive background managing executives, this individual serves as a thought partner to the chancellor, his chief of staff, and his office. This person leads a team to develop high- impact, high-visibility integrated programs, events and campaigns to raise the profile of the chancellor, Vanderbilt University, and its priority programs. In partnership with subject matter experts from across the Communications and Marketing division, this role leads the development and execution of integrated projects to achieve these goals.

This position reports directly to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Communications and Partner Relations and serves as a member of the associate vice chancellor's core leadership team. This role will be charged with working within the Office of the Chancellor, within the division, and across university partners to drive forward comprehensive marketing and communications strategies in support of crucial, high-visibility, university-wide special initiatives prioritized by the university's top leadership. This role requires the ability to report to work in-person on the Vanderbilt University campus.

The Communications and Marketing team at Vanderbilt is a dynamic and collaborative group. The division serves as the institution-wide center of excellence for communications and marketing, developing, and executing strategies that inform, engage and inspire others to participate in Vanderbilt University's global academic and research mission. The division is a key strategic adviser and partner for the mission-based work of the university, providing comprehensive communications and marketing plans and thoughtful analysis on messaging opportunities and constraints. The Communications and Marketing team delivers impactful marketing and communications results across key audiences to serve the larger mission, values and priorities of the university.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary relationship holder and trusted strategic advisor to the chancellor, the chancellor's chief of staff and the Office of the chancellor.

• In collaboration with the Office of the Chancellor, bring forward creative ideas to develop and execute strategic programs that build, enhance and protect the university's brand and reputation, particularly in areas that differentiate and elevate the university.

• Develop, oversee and implement strategic programs that enhance the chancellor's visibility, reputation and engagement with both internal and external stakeholders; ensure these program are aligned to the chancellor's strategy goals and priorities.

• Develop and direct various high-priority and cross-cutting initiatives, events, projects, and reports, and other special projects. Use judgement to assess the input from the Office of the Chancellor, evaluate purpose and goals of each project, and develop strategic plans to meet those goals.

• Demonstrate the ability to manage executive leadership and provide strong strategic counsel, including at times pushing back on project plans by providing strategic rationale and thoughtful recommendations.

• Lead and guide an integrated executive communications-focused team, facilitating a results- driven culture of collaboration, self-empowerment and accountability. This includes setting goals across the team, monitoring progress toward results, and overseeing both performance and professional development.

• Lead university-wide campaigns and special initiatives, collaborating with colleagues in the division and throughout the university to create memorable experiences that result in measurable impact.

• Act as an effective translator between the chancellor and his office and integrated teams across the university, actively shepherding the development of all work to serve the Chancellor's priorities.

• Act as an advocate for the Chancellor's Office, ensuring that their vision and priorities are effectively represented and communicated throughout the university.

• Implement a multi-channel approach to fulfilling work that includes in-house staff and best-in- class external vendors to achieve flexibly, scalability and access to a wide-array of services and talent.

• Work with the Issues Management team to manage any crisis communications or sensitive issues that directly involve the chancellor or the Chancellor's Office.

• Anticipate communication needs, opportunities and risks for executive leadership including the chancellor and the Board of Trust; proactively identify and offer solutions.

• Navigate ambiguity adeptly by identifying how new information (or the lack of information) may affect key stakeholders, helping to manage change in a rapidly shifting environment.

• Work closely with the Communications and Marketing leadership team and leadership across the university-from Academic Affairs to Athletics to Development and Alumni Relations-to ensure alignment and oversee key cross-divisional institutional communications priorities and outcomes.

• Communicate and collaborate effectively with a wide range of audiences-including students, faculty, coaches, staff, families, leadership, alumni, donors and vendors.

• Devise new and innovative approaches to solving brand, marketing and communications challenges. Apply a strategic lens to all work.

• Lead and motivate integrated project teams to do their best work; focus teams to keep the university's brand top of mind.

• Represent Vanderbilt University's overarching mission, vision, and goals in conversations with all offices, schools, divisions and units across, within, and outside of the university.

• Delegate clearly; be willing to make key decisions in the best interest of the university and its mission.

• Think creatively and pragmatically with a willingness to consider many options, problem solve and take direction as necessary.

• Coaches and mentors team members within the Partner Relations team and across integrated project teams.

• Develop and track success against measurable objectives, ensure timely execution and report regularly to the Office of the Chancellor, particularly the chancellor's chief of staff.

• Successfully navigate conflicts across internal integrated teams, partners, and stakeholders.

• Proactively seek strategic ways to expand and improve our work.

• Operate in a highly organized fashion with attention to detail on all projects.

• Work outside regular business hours as needed in order to perform job responsibilities.

• Adhere to confidentiality and business ethics; demonstrate outstanding judgment and discretion.

• Demonstrates a high level of comfort with project management tools such as Trello and Wrike; communication tools such as Slack and Teams; and the Microsoft Office Suite.

• Demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion and the importance of equity as an organizational operating principle.

• Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree is necessary.

• A master's/advanced professional degree (MA, MBA, or PhD)is preferred.

• At least 10 years of experience in client relations, public relations, communications, journalism, marketing or related field is necessary.

• Experience working in higher education, government or other nonprofit is strongly preferred.

• At least 5 years of experience managing a team of 2+ people is necessary.

• Expertise in relationship management is necessary.

• Experience in executiveor high-level communications and a demonstrated understanding of the challenges and nuances associated with supporting senior leadership is necessary.

• Evidence of ability to achieve results and move projectsforward is necessary.

• Evidence of ability to collaborate effectively with a widerange of stakeholders is necessary.

• Evidence of a high level of organizational and project management skills is necessary.

• Evidence of an ability to effectively and creatively problem solve is necessary.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, a proactive approach, and the ability to handle confidential information with discretion is necessary.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education. Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.