VSEC Director of Operations

The Director of Operations will provide executivelevel operational leadership and management for partnership with the Center Director and senior leadership the incumbent will establish a roadmap with outlined strategies to advance the centers efforts under the Education and Industry Partnership Pillars through partnerships and outreach addition the Director of Operations will oversee daily operations financial planning and budget oversight administrative infrastructure human resources and staffing project and grant administration facilities and space management and internal continuous improvement. This role will ensure that VSECs administrative practices systems and processes are aligned with Vanderbilt University policies support the interdisciplinary and translational mission of the center and enable growth collaboration and impact.

About the Work Unit:
The Vanderbilt Center for Sustainability Energy and Climate (VSEC) advances rigorous high-level research educational opportunities entrepreneurship and partnerships in sustainability energy and climate. It brings together Vanderbilt Universitys expertise in engineering science law policy education and other disciplines to investigate major challenges such as energy integration; resource sustainability; climate change mitigation and adaptation; and systems risk reliability and resilience VSEC embodies Vanderbilts radical collaboration approach to create solutions that make real impact. Within this context the Director of Operations will be a key leader ensuring that the centers operational administrative financial and programmatic functions are running smoothly strategically and in support of its research education and outreach mission.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:
Operational Leadership & Strategy
1. Collaborate with the Center Director and leadership team to develop implement and monitor the operational strategy and annual plan for VSEC aligned with the centers mission and objectives.
2. Collaborate with the Center Director and leadership team to outline a roadmap and strategic initiatives towards advancing the centers missions on innovative engagement and global outreach.
3. Translate strategic goals into operational plans and ensure effective execution across functional areas.
4. Identify opportunities for operational improvement efficiency cost savings and innovation.

Workflow and Partnership Coordination
1. Improve workflows and ensure effective coordination of activities across a complex diverse and evolving network of internal and external partners.
2. Develop operational systems that promote communication accountability and synergy across interdisciplinary teams schools and external collaborators.

Event and Program Execution
1. Oversee the planning and execution of high-profile events symposia and strategic initiatives ensuring alignment with the centers mission and Vanderbilts brand standards.
2. Prioritize tasks delegate responsibilities and integrate various program elements for seamless execution.
3. Continuously adapt strategies to manage increasing program complexity expand operational frameworks and integrate new initiatives as the center grows.

Initiative Management and Branding
1. Ensure the successful completion of major center initiatives with meticulous attention to detail branding marketing and stakeholder engagement.
2. Collaborate with communications and marketing teams to elevate the visibility of the centers work through cohesive branding and strategic storytelling.

Financial and Budget Oversight
1. Establish and manage transparent and comprehensive budget plans to track spending revenue and fund utilization across programs and initiatives.
2. Ensure responsible financial stewardship compliance with university financial policies and efficient use of resources to support strategic priorities.

Strategic Initiative Alignment
1. Monitor progress of strategic initiatives ensuring milestones are met and risks are proactively managed.
2. Collaborate with internal and external experts to drive execution remove barriers and ensure that projects achieve intended outcomes and impact.

Leadership Collaboration and Transition Management
1. Work closely with university leadership to meet expectations during key transitions including the establishment and scaling of the center.
2. Provide strategic operational leadership that supports the centers growth stability and integration within Vanderbilts broader institutional ecosystem.

Administration & Human Resources
1. Oversee the centers administrative staff; recruit hire train supervise and evaluate professional and support staff.
2. Foster a collaborative inclusive serviceoriented workplace culture that aligns with Vanderbilts values.

Program and Partnership Support
1. Work with research education outreach and entrepreneurship leaders to ensure operational support for center programs (e.g. curricular initiatives student activities global engagement).
2. Serve as liaison for external partnerships industry community national labs and other institutions supporting contractual/logistical arrangements MOUs event coordination and collaboration infrastructure.
3. Assist with metrics tracking reporting impact dashboards and continuous improvement of center operations.

Communications & Stakeholder Relations
1. Collaborate with communications/marketing staff to facilitate operational support for the centers external and internal communications (e.g. website events newsletters).
2. Serve as operational point of contact for campus partners (schools departments offices) industry government and community stakeholders involved with VSEC.
3. Represent the center operationally in relevant university committees and working groups.

Supervisory Relationships:
This position does have supervisory responsibility this position reports administratively and functionally to the Director of VSEC

Education and Certifications:
Bachelors Degree is necessary
Masters is preferred

Experience and Skills:
Minimum of 5 years of experience in operations administrative management financial management grant/contract administration or related rolespreferably in a research academic or interdisciplinary setting.
University/College background Engineering preferred
Strong Organizational skills
Strong critical thinking/ problem solving skills
Experience working with senior leadership
Experience working in a higher education/ academic setting preferred
Financial background including the review of budgets
Proficient in Microsoft office adobe and have database experience
Comfort with new technological systems. Adapts easily to changes in technology and process
Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously
Professional and pleasant attitude with considerable tact diplomacy and judgment in interactions with students faculty and staff