Associate Director, Graduate Leadership Institute - Vanderbilt University

Position Summary:

The Associate Director of the Russell G. Hamilton Graduate Leadership Institute (GLI) develops and implements leadership and professional development curricula, programming, and funding opportunities for Graduate School students at Vanderbilt University. Reporting to the Vice Provost for Graduate Education, Dean of the Graduate School, and Director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, the Associate Director is also responsible for managing pre- and post-award grant submission processes on behalf of the Graduate School. The Associate Director has a keen understanding of graduate student leadership development and the ability to design and facilitate initiatives to meet student needs.





About the Work Unit:

The mission of the Graduate School at Vanderbilt University is to promote excellence in research, scholarship, and creative expression such that graduate students and postdoctoral trainees are optimally prepared for successful careers in academia, industry, and related fields. We do so by recruiting the most promising pre- and post-doctoral scholars from a diverse set of backgrounds and creating an inclusive and stimulating environment that fosters intellectual growth and development.





We emphasize intensive, disciplinary-specific and interdisciplinary training, taking advantage of Vanderbilt’s uniquely collaborative and collegial culture. We collaborate with the leadership of the schools/colleges as well as the Offices of the Vice Provosts and Vice Chancellors to ensure operational excellence. The Graduate School ensures the maintenance of the highest academic and professional standards and plays an important advocacy role for graduate students and postdoctoral trainees.

A key objective for graduate education at Vanderbilt is to increase external funding in support of the Graduate School’s mission. The Graduate School routinely applies for external funding opportunities that enhance the graduate student experience. The Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Graduate School is the Principal Investigator for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program. The Associate Director of the GLI serves as a key contributor to Graduate School’s pre- and post-award efforts.


The Russell G. Hamilton Graduate Leadership Institute (GLI) is committed to enhancing graduate education by fostering a collaborative culture that encourages interdisciplinary discovery and skill building. Through funding opportunities, workshops, and 1:1 coaching, the GLI supports graduate students’ professional and leadership development, complementing the world-class education and research training of our graduate programs. The ELEVATE program is a signature GLI initiative that provides a collaborative environment for students to explore critical leadership concepts and skills. Designed to enhance personal and interpersonal development, this series empowers students to gain insights into who they are as leaders and provides opportunities to grow as effective communicators.





Key Functions and Expected Performance:




Leadership of the Russell G. Hamilton Graduate Leadership Institute (GLI)

• Implement the strategic vision of the GLI to offer a breadth of leadership development opportunities across all disciplines for Graduate School students and postdocs.

• Execute ELEVATE: Enhancing Leadership through Exploration, Vision, Awareness, Teamwork, and Empowerment, a cohort-based leadership program for Graduate School students.

• Oversee GLI funding opportunities for Graduate School students, including reporting on funding utilization and liaising with campus partners in finance to ensure fiscal responsibility.

• Develop measurable learning objectives for GLI curricula and programs.

• Utilizing outcomes data, assess all curricula and programs to ensure alignment between learning objectives and outcomes.

• Solicit feedback from Graduate School students, the Graduate Student Council (GSC), and graduate departments and programs and use formative assessment measures to ensure curricula and programs are innovative and tailored to meet student needs.

• Contribute to Graduate School pipeline programming initiatives by designing undergraduate student-facing curricula and professional development opportunities related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).

• Actively participate in all events and programs hosted by the Graduate School, including internal committees as requested.





Leadership of Grants Administration

• Review requests for proposals from external funding agencies and coordinate with principal investigators to prepare grant proposals in compliance with sponsoring agency guidelines and regulations and University policies and procedures.

• Ensure grant proposals are submitted appropriately and with authorizing signatures by application deadlines.

• Coordinate with principal investigators to develop grant proposal budgets for submission to external sponsors in accordance with sponsoring agency guidelines and regulations and University policies and procedures.

• Review sub-awardee budgets to ensure compliance with sponsoring agency guidelines and regulations.

• Oversee budgets for active awards, including reviewing budget items with principal investigators, making necessary amendments, and managing contract renewals.

• Other duties as assigned.





Supervisory Relationships:

This position reports to the Vice Provost for Graduate Education, Dean of the Graduate School, and Director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. This position, with the Executive Director of Operations, jointly supervises the Graduate School’s Program Manager.





Education and Certifications:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required; a Master’s degree from an accredited institution is preferred.

• A terminal degree is preferred.

• Grants management certification, either from the National Grants Management Association or comparable entity, is preferred.





Experience and Skills:

If your experience is not directly aligned with the qualifications listed below, but you have transferrable skills that are applicable, you are encouraged to submit an application for this role.

• A minimum of five years of experience in related grants and project management is required.

• An appreciation for graduate education and training and supporting doctoral students is required.

• An understanding of graduate student leadership development is required.

• Demonstrated leadership in identifying, securing, and managing external grant funding is required.

• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Office) is required.

• Grants management training, either from the United States Department of Education or comparable entity, is preferred.

• A minimum of three years of experience in an academic setting or institution of higher education is 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 employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.





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.







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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.