Associate Director, Strategic Partnerships

Vanderbilt is a community of talented and diverse staff & faculty!

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice through:

• Working and growing together as a community of communities... we are One Vanderbilt.
• Providing a work environment where every staff and faculty member can be their authentic and best self, while providing the resources and opportunities to learn and grow.
• Encouraging development, collaboration, and partnership both internally and externally while fostering the value that every member of the Vanderbilt community can lead and grow regardless of title or position.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.

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Vanderbilt University has made the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University may require employees to comply with any testing or health and safety measures which the University may require.

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. 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.

The LIVE Learning Innovation Incubator at Vanderbilt University is a collaborative effort that unites faculty, students, and external partners to research, develop, and implement technologies that enhance learning. It brings together interdisciplinary teams of researchers and strategic partners to create cutting-edge innovations that empower individuals, communities, and organizations to thrive in our rapidly changing world. By integrating advanced computational methods, artificial intelligence, and innovative teaching strategies, LIVE delivers impactful solutions to complex challenges.

 The Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships will be a core member of the LIVE team, responsible for initiating, cultivating and maintaining relationships both within and outside of the university to drive collaborative opportunities and expand funding prospects in alignment with LIVE's mission. This role will actively develop new partnerships and foster engagement between Vanderbilt faculty and external stakeholders. The Assistant Director of Strategic Partnerships will also facilitate cross-functional collaboration, bringing together interdisciplinary teams within Vanderbilt to co-develop grant proposals that align their mutual interests with funding opportunities. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of the learning technology research industry combined with a keen ability to identify strategic opportunities, envision new cross functional possibilities, and translate them into impactful initiatives. 

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Faculty Engagement & Internal Collaboration Development: 

- Build and maintain relationships with diverse and cross-functional Vanderbilt faculty Job responsibilities listed herein are intended to be a thorough representation of the duties, responsibilities, expectations, and qualifications for this specific role at the time of hire but should not be considered all-encompassing as actual responsibilities may evolve to include additional duties as assigned based on organizational and operational needs. 

- Identify and align faculty interests with strategic external opportunities, facilitating the launch of high-impact research collaborations and innovative projects 

- Establish and lead strategic partnerships with Vanderbilt research centers and support units, including Vanderbilt Research Development and Support, The Wondry, and the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization 

- Drive cross-disciplinary initiatives and generate new funding opportunities that advance LIVE’s mission of researching, developing and integrating technologies into contexts to enhance human learning and flourishing across the lifespan

 2. External Partnership Development: 

- Identify and drive new external partnerships in industry, education, and government to further collaboration across LIVE's network 

- Convert existing relationships into sustainable and, ideally, multi-faceted operational partnerships including elements such as: consulting engagements, research-practice partnerships, certificate programs for employees, class projects, reverse internships, and/or pipelines for student internships and jobs. 

- Develop and implement a formal partner sponsorship platform to cultivate and sustain engagement with partners.

- Foster faculty engagement and collaboration with external partners to enhance research and funding opportunities 

3. Grant Collaboration & Coordination: 

- Proactively identify and communicate strategic funding opportunities that align with faculty research and LIVE’s mission, fostering a collaborative and engaged research community 

- Lead the development of interdisciplinary teams to generate high-quality, competitive grant proposals that align research goals with funding priorities 

- Leverage deep knowledge of faculty expertise and emerging trends in grantmaking to create a sustained pipeline of strategic grant opportunities 

Supervisory Relationships 

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities but collaborates extensively with faculty, staff, and external partners. The role reports to the Director of LIVE.

Qualifications

 Minimum of a Bachelors degree required, advanced degree in educational technology, learning technologies, training and talent development or comparable professional experience is preferred. 

Deep knowledge of educational research and learning technologies with strong understanding of relevant funding landscapes and ability to proactively align initiatives with grant priorities to generate strategic opportunities

Proven experience in developing and maintaining strong relationships with faculty, internal departments, and external partners across academia, industry, and government to drive impactful research collaborations. 

Experience building organizational relationships with academic and industry leaders and identifying, establishing, structuring and sustaining partnerships that align with organizational goals 

Skill in communicating research approaches and results, engaging stakeholders, and building impactful partnership networks 

Excellent planning and organizational abilities, effectively able to manage multiple tasks under pressure, and consistently meets tight deadlines 

Experience working in a higher education setting is preferred 

To apply for this position, you must apply directly to this job posting. Please be aware that this role does require completion of a background check and fingerprinting upon hire.

Interested applicants with questions can contact Alyssa Wise, Director of LIVE, at alyssa.wise@vanderbilt.edu for more information. 

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