Administrative Program Manager in Law & Economics, Law School - Vanderbilt University

The Administrative Program Manager, Ph.D. Program in Law & Economics is based in the Law School at Vanderbilt University and is responsible for providing day-to-day and long-term oversight and management for the Ph.D. Program in Law & Economics that spans across departmental and school disciplines and works closely with the Graduate School and the Law School to administer program requirements. Major areas of responsibility include planning and coordinating program requirements; assisting with Ph.D. program implementation; personnel management; student recruitment; website design and maintenance. The ideal candidate must understand the structure of universities and graduate education; possess excellent oral and written communication skills, the ability to work effectively with students, faculty, and staff, and proven administrative abilities. The administrative program manager is a highly skilled administrative professional who provides a wide range of support services to the Ph.D. program and the program directors. The job of the administrative program manager is to take on most of the administrative duties, leaving the program Co-directors to focus on other matters. The administrative program manager’s role is to keep the Ph.D. program running smoothly with minimal guidance and supervision. Reports directly to the Co-directors of the Ph.D. in Law & Economics Program.



The Ph.D. Program in Law & Economics is unique. It combines analytical training in economic theory and methodology with the study of law. While one can separately earn a J.D. and a Ph.D. in economics at many other universities, our program is distinctive in that training in economics is fully integrated with training in law. Upon completion of the program, graduates receive a Ph.D. in Law & Economics and a J.D. The Ph.D. Program in Law & Economics at Vanderbilt was the first Ph.D. program to be administratively based in a law school. Designed by Professors Hersch and Viscusi, together with economics professor Kathryn H. Anderson, the program offers 11 new and innovative courses specifically developed for this Ph.D. program. The program's field design requires students to fully integrate law and economics in specialized areas of interest. Students receive a solid grounding in microeconomic theory, econometrics, and law and economics theory, as well as behavioral law and economics, risk and environmental regulation, and labor and human resources.



Key Functions and Expected Performance:

Ph.D. Program management

• Confer with and assist the Co-directors, the Director of Graduate Studies, and Law School and University Registrars to plan individualized courses of study for each student; includes mapping courses of study and tracking coursework and other requirements to ensure that program students meet requirements for both degrees (J.D. and Ph.D.). The Program Manager often works independently or in conjunction with the Director of Graduate Studies.

• Responsible for development, design, and maintenance of program materials to include the program website, faculty professional websites, student professional websites, recruitment materials, recruitment letters, and photography sessions.

• Coordinate, prepare, and update program curriculum in consultation with Co-directors; communicate program curriculum to Law School and University Registrars.

• Manage educational activities with staff of other departments and schools (coordinate course offerings, schedule comprehensive exams, coordinate enrollment in economics department courses, etc.).

• Respond to requests for information about admission and program requirements.

• Perform “first screening” of student applications and prepare materials for committee review of student applicants who meet minimum requirements for consideration.

• Work with J.D. admissions staff to identify applicants to J.D. program who may be suitable for this joint-degree program.

• Maintain program admissions files in Slate; coordinate with the Law School and Graduate School admissions offices. Submit Recommendation for Action forms and admit or reject students in Slate.

• Draft fellowship nomination letters for admitted students.

• Coordinate prospective or admitted student visits and interviews, including related social events.

• Maintain appropriate documentation for program and for student records.

Prepare and submit all documentation for students’ Ph.D. candidacy and dissertation phases; coordinate Ph.D. committee meetings, exams, and defenses.

• Responsible for all logistics related to the seminar series or for appropriate delegation to program assistant.

• Responsible for all logistics related to conferences or for appropriate delegation to program assistant.

• Approve and make all arrangements for academic-related student travel.

• Prepare, coordinate, and handle confidential and sensitive information related to student activities such as grades, recommendations, exams, honor violations.

• Serve as point person for students with personal or academic problems.

• Draft reports for program-related activities.

• Coordinate program social events such as the Annual Fall Social, Annual Spring Social, etc.

• Draft any program-related communication or documents as requested by the Co-directors or the Director of Graduate Studies.

• Draft and finalize program annual report that is submitted to Provost and law school deans.



Financial Management

• Develop annual program budgets and related budget models.

• Oversee financial administration for program budgets using multiple financial systems at Vanderbilt.

• Process program and grant expenditures in accordance with guidelines.

• Monitor revenues and expenditures for program budgets.

• Maintain Vanderbilt OneCard and expense purchases in Concur in accordance with Vanderbilt policy.

• Process student stipend requests.

• Process student Graduate Award Forms (GAFs).

• Coordinate with Law School Administrative Services and Vanderbilt Arts & Science to ensure student tuition transfers are initiated.

• Approve or seek approval for and oversee purchasing of data and other academic materials.



Personnel Management

• Assist in hiring and monitoring student RAs and assist in hiring for the program assistant position when vacant.

• Coordinate student job placement and approve timesheets for student RAs.

• Approve timesheet for the program assistant.

• Coordinate arrangements and provide orientation for semester or year-long visiting faculty or post-docs.

• Coordinate faculty recruitment to include preparation of job ads and postings; coordinate job candidate travel visits including purchasing and initiating reimbursement requests; initial screening of job applicants, record keeping and correspondence with job applicants.

• Gather and assemble faculty candidate documents and prepare candidate appointment files for distribution to faculty for review and approval in accordance with Law School and University faculty bylaws.

• Serve as liaison between faculty candidates and hiring committees. Answer inquiries without further consultation, resolve routine matters on chairperson’s behalf, and respond to minor complaints or problems.



Grant Administration

• Coordinate grant application process with Vanderbilt’s Office of Contract and Research Administration.

• Prepare, file, and update grant applications and proposals through Vanderbilt’s Sponsored Programs Administration utilizing their online COEUS system.



Other Projects

• Serve as assistant to faculty or administrators for University, Law School, and external committees or professional associations/organizations.

• Compile data, conduct research, and summarize findings according to general instruction.

• Compose/draft correspondence for faculty/program Co-directors’ signature. Send correspondence under own signature.

• Serve as liaison to the University public information officer, as well as external media and public relations personnel

regarding recent research publications and findings. Handle and categorize media inquiries, respond to requests for appearances or interviews, and respond independently to requests for additional information. Research and post faculty media mentions.

• Draft press releases related to faculty research; includes understanding the content of academic research.

• Review, proof, and copyedit press releases and web copy.

• Serve as back-up to the Managing Editor for the Journal of Risk and Uncertainty in case of extended absence. Serve as back-up to Faculty Assistant during any period of absence.

• Serve as agent with Bureau of Labor Statistics for confidential Census of Fatal Occupation Injuries data.

• Assist students in preparing or individually prepare requisitions for confidential data.

• Serve as point person for the faculty assistant.



Supervisory Relationship(s)

This position has supervisory/line manager responsibility for the Law & Economics Program Faculty Assistant; the position reports administratively and functionally to the Co-directors of the Ph.D. in Law & Economics Program.



Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent is required.

• A Master’s degree is preferred.

• A minimum of 5-7 years of relevant experience is required.

• Experience in a higher education setting is preferred.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with ability to effectively relate to and promote diversity and inclusion is necessary.

• Ability to make sound administrative/procedural decisions using a high level of discernment is necessary.

• Ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects is necessary.

• Ability to provide technical advice and information to staff in area of expertise is necessary.



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.








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.