Director of Public Options & Governance, Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator

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.

The Sr. Director of Public Options and Governance is part of the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator (VPA) in the Law School at Vanderbilt University and is the leader responsible for the development and implementation of the policy agenda and research portfolio associated with the Project on Public Options. The Sr. Director will spend a significant amount of time providing strategic policy guidance and programmatic oversight of key VPA priorities. This position reports to the Faculty Director of VPA.

The Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator (VPA) focuses on a small number of cutting-edge topics in political economy and regulation. We bring research, education, and policy proposals in these areas from infancy to maturity and periphery to centrality. We cultivate, grow, and spread research, education, and policy ideas—and at a pace that aligns with the urgency of today's challenges. We are currently in the midst of a political economy revolution. From antitrust to trade, swift changes are taking place that are reshaping how policymakers and the general public think about economic policy. These changes create an opportunity to advance new paradigms, research, and policy ideas. We are action focused. Each project we undertake seeks to accelerate developments in education, research, policy, and public debate.

To be considered for this position, candidates must submit a cover letter, CV, and list of references.

Relocation to Nashville is strongly preferred, but remote work with occasional travel may be possible, on a case-by-case basis.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Leadership and Strategy (70%):
  o Lead the strategic development and implementation of the policy agenda and research portfolio for the Project on Public Options and associated workstreams, including Researchers for Public Options (RFPO).
  o Launch and oversee RFPO, managing all aspects of research network programming, including the identification and engagement of scholars, relationship management, and the administration of grant proposals to secure funding for public options research.
  o Advance the design and implementation of public options research across sectors to enhance access, competition, and opportunity alongside market options.
  o Collaborate with the faculty and executive directors to establish a
  comprehensive policy agenda focused on public options and governance.
  o Exercise independent judgment in performing essential administrative and management functions related to the Project on Public Options.
  o Supervise, train, and coordinate workflow for VPA staff and fellows, ensuring effective execution of the public options and governance agenda.
  o Oversee public relations and communications strategies in consultation with leadership, managing both internal and external messaging.
  o Direct project management of key initiatives, ensuring administrative accuracy and integrity within VPA operations.
  o Advise on critical components of the VPA budget ($1M) in collaboration with the executive director.
  o Expand development outreach, cultivating relationships and partnerships with local, regional, and national stakeholders and funders, while representing VPA externally.
• Research and Communications (10%):
  o Manage the production of research outputs, including white papers, policy briefs, and other communications that align with VPA priorities.
  o Oversee the drafting and rollout of academic publications and policy products, ensuring high-quality dissemination of VPA’s work.
  o Provide direction and support to policy analysts in their research and communications efforts.
• Policy Direction and Political Strategy (10%):
  o Offer strategic advice and guidance to the faculty and executive directors to advance VPA’s mission and manage key programs effectively.
• Programming and Public Engagement (10%):
  o Oversee and manage programming and public outreach initiatives related to VPA priorities, including academic conferences and stakeholder briefings.
  o Plan and execute meetings and events that facilitate engagement with academics, public officials, and other key stakeholders.

Supervisory Relationships:
This position will have eventual supervisory responsibility with oversight of the day-to-day work product of junior staff and policy analysts and will directly manage junior staff within their verticals; the position reports to the Faculty Director of VPA.

Qualifications:
• A master’s degree in legal studies or the equivalent, and/or a minimum of 5-10 years of experience is required.
• Experience in a higher education setting is preferred.
• Candidates should have an interest in economic policy, political economy, regulation, and/or law.
• Demonstrated high levels of integrity, honesty, and openness to create strong and enduring collaboration with key leaders across the institution and community is necessary.
• Executive level interpersonal and communication skills with ability to effectively relate to and promote diversity and inclusion is necessary.
• Ability to demonstrate maturity, creativity and initiative in expanding the Law School’s presence locally and nationally is necessary.
• Ability to make sound administrative/procedural decisions using a high level of discernment is necessary.
• Ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects is necessary.
• Ability to provide technical advice and information to staff in area of expertise is necessary.
• Relocation to Nashville is strongly preferred, but remote work with occasional travel may be possible, on a case-by-case basis.

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.