Executive Director

Job Description

 The Executive Director of Special Projects for the the Senior Counselor, and Senior Director of Operations and Engagement, Vanderbilt University-NYC will serve as a key member of the leadership team for the Senior Counselor at Vanderbilt University. 

The Executive Director will be responsible for driving strategic initiatives and managing a portfolio of high-priority special projects. Chief among those projects at the current time is the launch and continued oversight of Vanderbilt University’s new campus New York City (Vanderbilt University-NYC). In partnership with a representative from the Office of the Provost, who will serve as the academic lead, the Executive Director will ensure the successful activation of the Vanderbilt University-New York City campus including community engagement, property management and space allocation, information technology, security, and a range of non-credit bearing events and activity. In doing so, the Executive Director will work closely with, among others, the following University offices: Provost, Government and Community Relations, Development and Alumni Relations, General Counsel, Finance, Real Estate, Facilities, Information Technology, Vanderbilt University Public Safety, Dining, Conferences and Events and Marketing and Communications. 

The ideal candidate will have strong project management and project implementation skills; be highly organized; think strategically; be an excellent communicator; and have experience with community and government relations. Most importantly, they will have experience in higher education.

Key Functions
General Special Project Management
• Provide strategic oversight and management for a portfolio of high-impact special projects from conception to completion, ensuring alignment with university objectives and stakeholder expectations.
• Lead cross-functional projects and project teams and manage resources, scopes, risks, and changes effectively.
• Develop and build relationships with senior-level stakeholders, external partners, and vendors to ensure effective collaboration and project success.
• Ensure thorough tracking, analysis, and reporting of project progress against key performance metrics to inform executive decisions.
• Produce and disseminate high-level project communications, ensuring clarity and alignment across all levels of the organization.
• Maintain robust project governance, develop methodologies, and guide the execution of project activities within time, budget, and quality constraints.
• Proactively identify, analyze, and resolve administrative, financial, and operational issues, adapting to a rapidly changing environment.
• Make informed decisions and judgments on complex tasks while prioritizing multiple, concurrent projects.

Vanderbilt University-New York City
• In conjunction with the Office of the Provost, develop and implement procedures, processes and operations for the efficient and effective operation of the Vanderbilt University-New York City campus.
• Create partnership and, in connection with the Office of General Counsel, legal agreements with both internal VU and external entities, as needed.
• Help shepherd current and future processes with the New York State Office of Attorney General and New York State Education Department.
• Collaborate closely and consistently with the Nashville-based units of the University, including: Provost, Government and Community Relations, Development and Alumni Relations, General Counsel, Finance, Real Estate, Facilities, Information Technology, Vanderbilt University Public Safety, Dining, Conferences and Events and Marketing and Communications.
• Help build and successfully manage the Vanderbilt-NYC annual budget.
• Assist with strategic planning regarding revenue generating activity, ranging from executive and continuing education to academic conferences and lectures to non-mission related events such as filmings, weddings and birthdays.
• Cultivate strategic partnerships with local elected officials, not-for-profits (including K-12 schools), businesses and higher education institutions so as to demonstrate
Vanderbilt’s desire to productive engage with the community and to ultimately afford opportunities to Vanderbilt faculty, students and staff.                                                        

• Communicate progress, updates, and key milestones to relevant stakeholders through various channels such as meetings, presentations, reports, and written communication.
• Provide regular updates to the Vice Chancellor and the Vice Provost.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Relationships:
While not immediate, the position likely will have supervisory responsibility of a small operations team at Vanderbilt University-NYC and possibly one or more staff in Nashville.

Education, Experience, and Skills:
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required. An advanced or terminal degree (M.A., MBA, J.D., or Ph.D.) from an accredited institution of higher education is preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years of work experience, knowledge and skills are required.
• Experience in a higher education institutional setting is required.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication (oral and written) skills are required.
• Experience in strategizing, thinking operationally, organizing, and implementing programs is required.
• Experience with budgets and finance is preferred.
• Ability to provide solutions in a high-volume environment and to remain calm and thoughtful throughout stressful and difficult situations is required.
• Proven track record of developing and managing multiple, complex projects and producing work under demanding timelines is necessary.
• Excellent listening skills, as well as the ability to hear and incorporate feedback, are necessary.
• Experience knowing when and with whom to communicate in order to gain necessary support for a project is necessary.
• Ability to overcome obstacles and roadblocks when appropriate is necessary.