Career Center

The Director will lead a new office focused on student transition, specifically related to supporting sophomores and transfer students to thrive and connect to university resources. Moreover, the Director will coordinate university efforts to increase engagement of undergraduate students with university resources and the Nashville community. The Director is part of the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at Vanderbilt University and is a key contributor, working in partnership with all units to ensure that Vanderbilt makes decisions and plans based on high-quality and relevant data, information, and analysis. Reporting directly to the Assistant Provost for Residential Education and Associate Dean of Residential Colleges.

The Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs (VPAA) provides leadership, oversight, and support for the University's mission of teaching, learning, and service in undergraduate academic environments. The office works under the direction and guidance of the Provost to implement the Academic Strategic Plan while fostering equitable, diverse, & inclusive educational and immersive learning experiences. The office prioritizes investing in intellectual engagement, student achievement, positive student outcomes through strategic campus-wide initiatives and engaging partnerships throughout the Vanderbilt community.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Support student leadership development including:

• Advises transfer student leaders within the Transfer Connect organization; recruits selects and trains undergraduate peer mentors.
• Implements Transfer Student Orientation, including all activities and events, oversees the program budget and assesses the outcomes.
• Develops and executes a 6-week transition program for new transfer students called Connecting to VU.
• Designs execute and assess stand-alone programs to connect new transfer students with the larger Vanderbilt community.

Develops second-year experience programmatic initiatives in consultation with the assistant provost for residential education including:

• Coordinate the Thrive Dinner Series to promote connection to faculty and university staff o Plan and implement opportunities for students to explore and engage with the Nashville community
• Organize a leadership series to increase useful skills for the sophomore year
• Create a comprehensive program to connect sophomores to university resources
• Advise Vandy Votes, which is the student organization focused on student voter engagement
• Drive educational opportunities that amplify community connection, include multiple perspectives and narratives, and foster strategic collaboration
• Collaborate with key campus partners including Residential Colleges, Office of Immersion Resources, Undergraduate Academic Deans, Dean of Students Office, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office, Government and Community Relations, and the Career Center to further the support and academic mission for sophomores and transfer students
• Maintain long-standing relationships with key partners and stakeholders on campus and foster new partnerships of strategic importance to increase community engagement and collaboration
• Identify and advance emergent strategies to integrate student learning and engagement within the Vanderbilt and Nashville communities
• Serve on university committees including the Campus Connection Program
• Participate in the Campus Connection Program as a staff adviser
• Represent the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Vanderbilt University on university, community, and national committees and boards
• Remain up to date on current trends in higher education and student development; infuses this knowledge into intentional program development

Supervisory Relationships:

This position will supervise a Program Assistant and a graduate student worker; this position reports administratively and functionally to the Assistant Provost for Residential Education and Associate Dean of Residential Colleges.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education is necessary.
• A Master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education is preferred.
• At least three to five years of directly comparable experience is necessary.
• Experience working with faculty and students in an academic setting is necessary.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and excellent interpersonal skills are necessary.
• Computer literacy is necessary, including the ability and willingness to learn how to use the student data management system.
• Evidence of being a self-starter is necessary.
• Strong organizational and management skills are necessary.
• The ability to promote an innovative working environment, which encourages interdisciplinary teamwork, and promotes diversity is necessary.
• A commitment to serving a diverse student population effectively including advocacy efforts and educational outreach activities is necessary.
• Program planning, development, implementation, and leadership skills are preferred.
• The ability to foster a cooperative work environment within a complex partnership/organizational structure is preferred.
• The ability to supervise and train employees, including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments is preferred.
• Employee development and performance management skills are preferred.

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. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

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.