DescriptionPosition Summary:
This role provides coordination and logistical support for key ALC-led community engagement and education initiatives including speaker events mentorship programs and strategic partnerships with local schools and community centers. Serving as a liaison across multiple stakeholders the position ensures smooth planning communication and execution of programs that connect underrepresented youth with STEM professionals and academic mentors. The role also contributes to broader ALC operations through presentation development event support and office coverage.
Key Functions and Expected Performance:
- PPT presentations for various ALC speaker events and lectures.
- N of 1 Project management for East HS and Various Nashville Community Centers (N of 1 East HS: The N of 1 project is based on the idea that even one simple interaction can change the life and future of a child especially when exposed to people who look like them in STEM fields.)
- Liaison between ALC and HS Principal & Community Center Directors
- Presentation Bookings
- Create event flyer
- RCMMS Project management. (ALC VU and VUMC (residents and graduate students) are paired with classrooms at Robert Churchwell Magnet Museum Elementary School. They mentor students and have quarterly visits to classrooms and engage in show and tell about their career.)
- Liaison between ALC and VU/VUMC residents/students and school staff/teachers
- Assists with booking classroom visits
- Assists with other ALC office projects and events as needed
- Provides office coverage as needed for Executive Assistant
Supervisory Relationships:
This position does not have supervisory responsibilities. This position reports to the Senior Advisor to the Chancellor on Inclusion and Community Outreach.
Education and Certifications
Experience and Skills:
Strong project management skills with the ability to coordinate multiple programs events and stakeholders simultaneously.
Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities with experience serving as a liaison between academic institutions community organizations and school leadership.
Proficiency in developing professional presentations and marketing materials including event flyers and PowerPoint decks.
Demonstrated experience in event planning and logistics including scheduling speaker coordination and on-site support.
Ability to work collaboratively within a fast-paced team environment while also taking initiative and managing tasks independently.
Flexible and dependable with a willingness to support general office operations and provide coverage as needed.
General Characteristics of a Successful Vanderbilt University Staff Member:
ACCOUNTABILITY: Owns decisions outcomes work products etc. that are within the scope of ones role.
- Works through Issues Recognizes that the work is about successful outcomes if things arent going well outcomes suffer; is willing to have crucial conversations if things arent going well; doesnt just complain to management does everything possible to remedy the situation directly first
- Reliable Does what they say they will do when they say they will do it; shows up for work when expected; doesnt push the burden of work volume or deadlines to others
- Integrity Holds oneself accountable; takes responsibility for failures as well as successes recognizes that trust is required to hold a team together
- Acceptance of Feedback Takes constructive criticism with grace and makes improvements without taking it personally or holding grudges; when wrong owns it freely admits mistakes
COLLABORATION: Works inclusively to build trust and accomplish tasks goals and initiatives. Understands anticipates and appropriately responds to internal and/or external customers needs.
- Optimism Is friendly tirelessly cordial polite and genial; comes in to work with a good attitude and doesnt bring their own personal little black clouds into the work environment
- Teamwork Genuinely values teamwork and co-workers makes them feel valuable and important by acknowledging what they do well; doesnt expect from others effort that one is unwilling to do themselves finds ways to acknowledge others strong suits
- Honest and Transparent Doesnt have hidden agendas doesnt play people against each other; is authentic and forthright
- Helpful Nature Offers to help lighten the load for others in times of need; volunteers rather than waiting to be asked; understands that almost no one works in a silo and needs the help of others to do their job well; recognizes that by helping others first others will likely reciprocate
COMMUNICATION: Provides information clearly and accurately in various settings ensuring understanding and participation. Understands how best to present information to different audiences and understands how information may be perceived.
- Shares Shares information. Communicates proactively. Transmits knowledge; recognizes that knowledge is power is less effective than sharing knowledge is power. Asks for advice and considers it thoughtfully
- Is Nice Asks caring interested questions and is a good listener -- smiles and is grateful; sends appropriate notes of thanks to others who have helped; avoids gossip or saying negative things about co-workers; patient and generous; makes suggestions rather than stating hard and fast opinions. Avoids being negative sarcastic and cynical
- Praises Publicly; Criticizes Privately When dealing with a difficult co-workers or customers pretend your children are watching how the situation is handled; good manners help keep a cool head; gives credit where credit is due
- Responds Promptly Recognizes that when emails and phone messages arent returned in a timely way it sends the message that the other party is not important; responds even if just to acknowledge receipt and provide a timeframe by which the requester can expect a full response
DRIVE & GRIT: Is focused on professional excellence and strives to facilitate and support the same for colleagues in and outside their team effectively manages through challenges and opportunities while seeking to understand and learn from professional experiences.
- Perspective Maintains a sense of humor and perspective; can laugh first and foremost at oneself
- Raises the Bar Expects and delivers excellence; is a creative problem solver; is proactive; welcomes input on making things better -- places a high value on learning and getting better
- Resilience Is resilient in the face of daunting challenges and setbacks; bounces back readily.
- Adaptability Reads cues and adapt accordingly; adjusts style and approach to accommodate the styles and needs of others; can anticipate and effectively de-escalate potential conflicts
ENGAGED: Appreciates the values and mission of the organization works to contribute to the university and understands how their work affects the university and university community.
- Eager Enthusiastic wanting to learn wanting to continue ones personal and professional development and expertise
- Hard-Working Is industrious as well as efficient (busy isnt the same as productive); can juggle multiple competing priorities simultaneously without becoming overwhelmed
- Believes Believes in the work being done and in the importance of the organizations mission
- Creative Thinking Goes beyond the boundaries of the job description willingly takes on new challenges and finds creative solutions rather than always awaiting direct instructions
JUDGMENT & PROFESSIONAL ACUMEN: Makes appropriate decisions and evaluates risk and uncertainty to create ideal outcomes exhibits an eye for the macro and the micro and works to ensure others are able to do the same.
- Autonomous Self-managing; self-motivated; manages time activities and outcomes well so that progress stays on track; cleans up after themselves
- Maturity -- Exhibits professional maturity; doesnt pass the buck to dodge accountability; doesnt engage in petty office politics or inappropriate social conduct
- Detail-Oriented Even small mistakes can create big issues; attention to detail work indicates care about the outcomes
- Assumes the Best Assumes that others are working as hard as you are on things that are as important as what you are working on; just because you dont know what someone does it doesnt mean theyre not doing anything
COMMITMENT TO CULTURE OF DIVERSITY & INCLUSION: Supports the universitys commitment to diversity and inclusion and demonstrates personal dedication through words and actions.
- Champions Engages in and advocates for inclusive workplace relationships
- Culturally Self-Aware - Develops skills to recognize ones own biases and to be sensitive to the perceptions of others. Models appropriate cultural behaviors with others
- Commitment - Collaborates on and contributes to organizational and community diversity and inclusion efforts as opportunities arise.