The Director of Family and Next Generation Strategy partners with university leadership, DAR management, and other stakeholders to ensure exceptional volunteer experience for participants in the Next Gen Program (Next Gen) and Parents Campaign Cabinet (PCC).

The Director works closely with the Executive Director to create unique and individual plans for top-level Next Gen families and PCC members to cultivate engagement, stewardship, and philanthropy. Also, by collaborating across the Development Team and with the Parents and Family Programs Team, ensures there is a multi-generational strategy in place for holistic engagement and stewardship for top donors and prospects.

Qualities:

Exhibits innovative thinking, and a strong commitment to enhancing development and alumni engagement efforts. Maintains positive and collaborative working relationships with campus and external partners.  Is strategic, experienced, entrepreneurial, and able to think creatively and pragmatically with a willingness to consider many options, problem solve and take directives as necessary. Excels in delivering clear, engaging presentations and meaningful conversations with alumni, parent donors, leadership, and colleagues across DAR, ensuring alignment and open communication at every engagement touchpoint.  Is able to efficiently and effectively manage multiple, complex, and results-oriented projects with both quick turn-around requirements and long lead times. Able to practice and uphold departmental and institutional policies regarding confidential information.

Strategy:

Partners with University leadership, DAR management and other stakeholders to ensure exceptional volunteer experience for participants in the Next Gen and PCC. Collaborates with prospect managers of top Vanderbilt families to ensure there is a multi-generational strategy in place, as well as with Parents and Family Programs, to ensure holistic engagement and stewardship for top parent donors. Serves as a strategic partner responsible for leading, planning and managing the operational activities of various engagement initiatives related to Next Gen, PCC, and other special projects related to parents and multigenerational philanthropy.  Cultivates and maintains effective relationships with internal stakeholders, including faculty, administrative leaders, and program directors, as well as external partners, to facilitate collaboration and resource sharing across departments. Establishes a dynamic environment in which alumni, donors, parents and family members are connected to the university and thoughtfully stewarded Utilizes creative ideas towards achieving stretch goals and prioritizes institutional collaboration.

Responsibilities:

Create unique and individual plans for top-level Next Gen families and PCC members to cultivate engagement, stewardship, and philanthropy. This includes scheduling of meetings and coordinating engagement opportunities with key leaders throughout the University so that alumni/parents may explore and support their particular area(s) of interest.  Cultivate and steward a small portfolio of high-potential Next Gen prospects who are not yet donors themselves but are influential to the family philanthropy. Work collaboratively with Research and Prospect Development teams to identify and qualify new Next Gen prospects and ensure program remains active and productive.  Work closely with Executive Director (ED) and development officers on coordinated strategies between constituents of multigenerational families to ensure streamlined engagement and solicitation strategies.  Work closely with the ED to create and implement integrated development and engagement strategies, ensuring alignment with the overarching goals of the Family Philanthropy Team. Develop and establish Next Gen Council for Development and Alumni Relations, in partnership with Leadership Programs Team, ensuring successful outcomes for everyone involved. Organize annual or biannual on-campus meetings of Next Gen Council and Parent Campaign Cabinet (PCC), including program and agenda development, event coordination (in partnership with DAR events), and pre- and post- meeting communications. Organize and execute special events for Next Gen and PCC members, including invitation list generation, program development, and follow up communications (in partnership with development officers). Manage onboarding and offboarding of PCC members.  Oversee and guide key cross-functional projects, with data, metrics, and outcomes, enabling program impact to ensure achievement of goals.  Other duties as assigned

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and functionally to the Executive Director, Family Philanthropy.

Work environment:

Preference will be given to candidates willing to relocate to, or are currently located in, the Nashville, Tennessee area.  The work environment will be hybrid, approximately one day in the office per week, or more depending on business needs.

Experience and Skills:

A bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent, is required. 5 years of experience, or the equivalent, is required. Working in program management and with non-profit board leadership in a higher education setting is preferred. Experience working and collaborating with high-net worth individuals in a volunteer leadership capacity. Ability to think strategically to manage multiple programs and projects/initiatives with changing priorities and strict deadlines in a rapidly evolving environment is necessary.  The maturity, judgment and respect requisite to engage with campus leadership and prominent alumni and parents is needed.  Demonstrated success in working across teams and disciplines – facilitating solutions, designing new ideas, and driving forward priorities. Excellent organizational skills, oral and written communications skills, and the ability to articulate the needs, interests, and accomplishments of Vanderbilt University to various and diverse audiences is necessary. Exceptional interpersonal skills and judgment suitable for exercising appropriate discretion and demeanor when interacting with individuals, alumni, parents, and organizations across the university and externally. Superior knowledge of program and project management skills. Evidence of exceptional judgment and decision-making skills. Demonstrated ability to handle high level sensitive and confidential information. Proficiency in office software tools (e.g., MS Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams), and other CRM software tools for communication, analysis, and operation. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and presentation skills are important; candidate must be able to articulate the needs, interests, and accomplishments of Vanderbilt University to important constituencies. The capacity to perform in an intellectually rigorous and complex academic environment. Ability to work independently, take initiative, manage programs consisting of multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities are essential. Familiarity with Vanderbilt and/or solid understanding of a major research university environment is preferred.  Exhibit personal characteristics enabling effective interaction with important constituencies and possess a genuine commitment to the advancement of education, research, and to the principles governing Development and Alumni Relations Routine overnight travel is required. Some evening and weekend work, as needed. Driving is considered an essential job function for this role. Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and a satisfactory driving record. Vanderbilt University engages a third party to provide up-to-date notifications regarding negative changes to motor vehicle records.