Strategic Projects Manager, Athletics Communications

The Athletics Communications Strategic Projects Manager serves as a key member of the Athletic Communications team within Vanderbilt Universitys Division of Communications and Marketing. This position provides day-to-day project management and operational oversight for strategic communications initiatives campaigns and projects that enhance the visibility and reputation of Vanderbilt Universitys athletics program.

Working collaboratively with communications specialists social media professionals and colleagues across Communications & Marketing and Athletics the Strategic Projects Manager ensures projects are effectively planned executed and evaluated. Key responsibilities include managing timelines delegating tasks tracking milestones analyzing data preparing reports and supporting budget management and stewardship. This role plays a critical part in delivering innovative communications strategies that strengthen Vanderbilt Athletics distinctive brand.

Reporting directly to the Director of Operational Excellence in Communications & Marketing this position does not have supervisory responsibility. This role requires high attention to detail expertise in communications planningandprojectmanagementandtheabilitytoworkinclosecollaborationwithateam. Thisrole also requires the ability to report to work in-person on the Vanderbilt University campus.

VanderbiltsCommunicationsandMarketingteamisafast-pacedhighlycollaborativegroupthatserves as the central hub for strategic messaging and storytelling across the university. The division partners with leaders and departments across campus to design integrated campaigns and innovative communicationssolutionsthatadvanceVanderbiltsacademicmissionresearchgoalsandcommunity impact. The Athletics Communications unit plays a vital role in this workamplifying the universitys story through the lens of sport student-athlete achievement and team success.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan and manage high-impact strategic communications projects for Vanderbilt Athletics that requirecross-teamcollaborationacrossCommunicationsandMarketingandwith otherareasof the university including Athletics and Development and Alumni Relations.

• WorkwithAthletic Communications and Communications and Marketingleadershipandteammemberstodevelopand implement strategic communications plans for each varsity sport. Driveandmonitorplanstimelinesandworkflowthroughsuccessfulcompletion.

• CoordinateacommunicationscalendarforallAthleticcommunications. ManagekeyperformanceindicatorsandmeasurementtoolsforAthleticcommunications.

• Analyzeandinterpretdataandinformationandmakeappropriaterecommendationsbasedon findings.

• Serve as lead and subject matter expert for the offices project management system tracking all projects and proactively working to ensure project progress.

• Source hire and manage payment for freelance creative staff.

• Writeandcreatemonitoringandmeasurementreports toreportonperformanceunderstand the competitive landscape and measure profile-building efforts and results.

• WorkwithCommunicationsandMarketingleadershiptoformalizeprocessesandprotocols.

• Thinkcreativelyandpragmaticallywithawillingnessto considermanyoptionsproblemsolve and take directives as necessary.

• Demonstrateexcellenceinwrittencommunicationsskillsandasenseofwhatisappropriatefor the brand.

• Adheretoconfidentialityandbusinessethics;demonstrateoutstandingjudgmentand discretion.

• Developmetricsfortrackingandevaluatingperformanceandefficiency.

• Demonstrateunderstandingoftheuniversitysmissionvaluesgoalsandprioritiesandanability toensurethatallareconsideredindevelopingcommunicationsstrategies.

• Communicateandcollaborateeffectivelywitharangeofaudiences.

• Efficientlyandeffectivelymanagemultiplecomplexandresults-orientedprojectswithboth quick turn-around requirements and long lead times.

• Operateinahighlyorganizedfashionwithattentiontodetailonallprojects.

• Workoutsideregularbusinesshoursasneededinordertoperformjobresponsibilities (this includes travel with athletics programs).

• Provideoverallsupportasneededandassignedfordepartmentpriorities.

• Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• ABachelorsdegreefromanaccreditedinstitutionofhighereducationisnecessary.

• Adegreeinjournalismcommunicationspublicrelationsorarelatedfieldis preferred.

• Atleastfiveyearsofrelatedworkexperience incommunications ormarketingisnecessary.

• Experiencedevelopingcommunicationsplansandmanagingcommunications ormarketing projects is necessary.

• Experience with project management systems and tools is necessary.

• Experienceandcomfortworkinginadeadline-drivenenvironmentofmultipleprojectsandquick turn-around requirements is necessary.

• Familiaritywithcollegeathletics isnecessary.

• Experienceinsportscommunicationsormarketingis preferred.

• Experiencewithpublicrelationsandmediamonitoringplatformsispreferred.

• Experiencewithprojectmanagementtoolsispreferred.