Senior Director of Leadership Programs

The Senior Director of Leadership Programs for Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) plays a pivotal role in the university’s comprehensive volunteer leadership ecosystem with a strategic focus on high level engagement of Vanderbilt’s top community members of parents, alumni, and friends who have significant expertise and networks.

The Senior Director of Leadership Programs will have three main functions: 1) provide oversight, guidance, strategy, interconnectivity, and enhancement in the advisory council space across the university including leading the Council of Chairs – a leadership summit of all school and unit chairs, 2) be a key leader of the Chancellor’s Circle building meaningful consulting projects in partnership with university leadership and the Executive Director of Donor Relations and Events, and 3) build new strategic initiatives in the volunteer leadership space, including more robust data tracking, trainings, and resources.

About The Work Unit:

The Department of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. The Department is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University’s teaching and research programs. Learn more about our department at https://www.vanderbilt.edu/dar/

Key Functions And Expected Performance:

The Senior Director is expected to have experience in higher education with a broad knowledge in volunteer leadership, strategic advising, consulting, facilitation, presentation development, research and benchmarking, program management, and writing. Intellectual curiosity and collaboration across the university are important aspects of this position. The position’s key functions will include:

Provide oversight, guidance, strategy, interconnectivity, and enhancement in the advisory council space across the university. 

• Maintain, update, communicate, and implement university-wide guidance, best practices, and templates for advisory councils.
• Create additional resources to enhance and build efficiencies for common efforts across all school and unit councils.
• Build and facilitate trainings and provide them on an ongoing basis in both DAR and across the university.
• Provide ongoing consultation to schools and units on best practices and enhancements.
• Support a strong partnership and collaboration with the Office of the Board of Trust related to trustee council members and other interconnected efforts.
• Create networking events and opportunities for advisory councils across campus.
• Collaborate with the Family and Next Generation team in support of Next Generation volunteer efforts.
• Plan and help facilitate the Council of Chairs a leadership summit for the chairs of all school and unit advisory councils hosted by the Board of Trust chairman.

Be a key leader of the Chancellor’s Circle building meaningful consulting projects in partnership with university leadership and the Executive Director of Donor Relations and Events.

The Chancellor’s Circle is an initiative that leverages the expertise of 40 of Vanderbilt’s top community members. Members participate in consulting projects that help inform opportunities or challenges that are university priorities.

• Plans and implements the Chancellor’s Circle ensuring successful outcomes for everyone involved.
• Partners with university leadership, DAR management and other stakeholders to ensure exceptional volunteer experience for participants in the Chancellor’s Circle.
• Oversees tracking and maintaining key projects, with data, metrics, and outcomes, enabling program impact to ensure achievement of goals.
• Plans and facilitates a Chancellor’s Circle annual gathering.

Build new strategic initiatives in the volunteer leadership space, including more robust data tracking, trainings, and resources.

• Work closely with the Research and Prospect Development team to create processes for tracking and maintaining data in the council ecosystem. 
• Train coordinators and other staff across DAR who are involved with council data input.
• Lead a biannual effort to track and coordinate movement within the volunteer leadership ecosystem.
• Create innovations in data and volunteer pipeline tracking.
• Maintaining a level of reliability that generates stability in the department
• Meeting or exceeding department performance standards
• Fostering a spirit of cooperation
• Understanding and effectively communicating departmental policy and procedures
• Clearly communicating concerns and questions to team
• Conveying thoughts/ideas to the leadership team on improving departmental performance
• Approach each situation with a professional attitude by:

Enhance Departmental Performance Standards By:

• Exercising good judgment in discussing issues and results with the team
• Maintaining composure and a calm demeanor during challenging situations
• Respecting the need for confidentiality of donors and colleagues
• Performing other duties as assigned

Supervisory Relationships:

This position has the supervisory responsibility for one team member, the Associate Director of Leadership Programs.

This position reports administratively and functionally to the Executive Director of Donor Relations and Events.

Work Environment:

This is a hybrid role based in Nashville.  The expectation is for this position to be on campus 1 day per week or more depending on business needs. 

Education And Certifications:

• A bachelor's degree, or the equivalent, is necessary.

Experience And Skills:

• Eight years of relevant experience, or the equivalent, is necessary
• Five or more years of development experience preferred, with a background in a higher education setting preferred
• Experience engaging with university leadership and top donors
• Experience with advisory board management, consulting, and/or facilitating
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to articulate the needs, interests, and accomplishments of Vanderbilt University
• Interpersonal skills and judgment suitable for exercising appropriate discretion and demeanor when dealing with alumni, parents, friends, and employees
• Ability to exercise good judgment in the handling of confidential information
• Ability to use current computer technology, such as Windows, Excel, Word, and Vanderbilt’s donor management system
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, specifically in the areas of presentation development
• Demonstrated success in working across teams and disciplines – facilitating solutions, designing new ideas, and driving forward priorities
• Familiarity with Vanderbilt and/or solid understanding of a major research university environment is preferred.
• The capacity to perform in an intellectually rigorous and complex academic environment
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and adapt to ever changing priorities are essential
• Exhibit personal characteristics enabling effective interaction with important constituencies
• Driving is considered an essential job function for this role. Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and a satisfactory driving record. Vanderbilt University engages a third party to provide up-to-date notifications regarding negative changes to motor vehicle records.
• Some evening and weekend work, as needed

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.

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.

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.