Associate Athletic Director/Senior Director of Strategic Priorities, Athletics

Vanderbilt University•Nashville, TN

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Athletic Director/Senior Director of Strategic Priorities (Senior Director) assists the Vanderbilt Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) department in leading and managing all aspects of the Athletics development programs. The Senior Director supervises a staff of development and alumni relations professionals, oversees a sizeable budget, and serves as a leader on the Athletics Administrative team.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent, is necessary.
10 years of development experience, or the equivalent, is required
Excellent organizational skills, oral and written communications 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 CRM and ticket management systems
Excellent written and oral communication skills, specifically in the areas of proposal and presentation development
Demonstrated success in working across teams and disciplines – facilitating solutions, designing new ideas, and driving forward priorities
The capacity to perform in an intellectually rigorous and complex 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
Routine overnight travel is required
Evening and weekend work is required

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree is preferred.
Seven or more years of development experience preferred
Experience in a higher education setting, with preference given to candidates who possess a working knowledge of athletics fundraising at a Division I level
Experience leading a team of development professionals, including annual goal setting, training new employees, and motivating to achieve stretch goals

Responsibilities

Assist in the design, implementation, and coordination of Athletics development and alumni relations priorities, consistent with the overall development program at Vanderbilt University.
Increase the overall success for Athletics.
Serve as liaison to teams from across the university.
Manage Strategic Priorities:
Athletics staffing and organizational effectiveness. Will be involved in hiring, training, managing, mentoring, and assessing the performance of the Athletics development and alumni relations team.
Lead planning, development, and execution of athletics priorities.
Translate leadership vision into actionable plans with milestones and success indicators.
Align people and resources to support project goals and maximize impact.
Manage project lifecycles to ensure progress, accountability, and strategic alignment.
Identify risks and insights and present decision-ready recommendations.
Demonstrate impact and ROI through clear metrics and reporting.
Identify opportunities to strengthen efficiency, communication, and collaboration.