The Director of Public Options and Governance is part of the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator (VPA) in the Law School at Vanderbilt University and is the leader responsible for the development and implementation of the policy agenda and research portfolio associated with the Project on Public Options. The Director will spend a significant amount of time providing strategic policy guidance and programmatic oversight of key VPA priorities. This position reports to the Faculty Director of VPA. 

The Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator (VPA) focuses on a small number of cutting-edge topics in political economy and regulation. We bring research, education, and policy proposals in these areas from infancy to maturity and periphery to centrality. We cultivate, grow, and spread research, education, and policy ideas—and at a pace that aligns with the urgency of today's challenges. We are currently in the midst of a political economy revolution. From antitrust to trade, swift changes are taking place that are reshaping how policymakers and the general public think about economic policy. These changes create an opportunity to advance new paradigms, research, and policy ideas. We are action focused. Each project we undertake seeks to accelerate developments in education, research, policy, and public debate.

To be considered for this position, candidates must submit a cover letter, CV, and list of references.

Relocation to Nashville is strongly preferred, but remote work with occasional travel may be possible, on a case-by-case basis.

Duties and Responsibilities Lead the development and implementation of the policy agenda and research portfolio associated with the Project on Public Options and related workstreams on building public capacity, including Researchers for Public Options (RFPO).  Manage the launch of RFPO and oversee all research network programming, including: 1) identifying scholars and others to research and write on public options; 2) managing those relationships and the research network more broadly; 3) writing and managing grant proposals to raise funding to support public options research.  Advance research and policy design of public options across sectors that provide goods and services that coexist with market options, expanding access, enhancing competition, and increasing opportunity.  Work closely with the faculty director and executive director to develop and implement a comprehensive public options and governance policy agenda.  Perform essential administrative and management functions related to the Project on Public Options, involving independent exercise of judgment and discretion. Supervise, train, coordinate workflow, and administer policies for VPA staff and fellows as relevant to execute the public options and governance agenda.  Manage relevant public relations, media, press, and internal and external communications in consultation with the faculty director and executive director.  Responsible for project management of key initiatives in consultation with the executive director, ensuring administrative accuracy and integrity of VPA.  Advise on key components of the VPA budget ($1M) in consultation with the executive director.  Expand development outreach on key issue areas, overseeing the development of effective relationships and partnerships with local, regional, and national partners, stakeholders, and funders. Manage outward-facing representation of VPA as a formal representative. Produce research, white papers, policy briefs, and other policy communications like op-eds on key VPA priorities.  Research, draft, and oversee the roll out of white papers, including academic publications and other policy products to be released by VPA.  Draft and oversee the development of policy briefs and other policy communications on key VPA priorities - including press releases, social media copy, and op-eds - that promote VPA’s work on public options and governance.  Advise and direct the work of policy analysts.  Advise on overall VPA policy agenda and related political and comms strategy.  Provide strategic advice and guidance to the faculty director and executive director in the execution of VPA’s mission and administration of key programs.  Manage and support programming and public outreach related to VPA priorities, including academic conferences and meetings and briefings with academics, public officials, and other stakeholders.  Manage conference, events, and other programming related to the public options and governance portfolio.  Support programming across the VPA portfolio as needed.  Plan and execute meetings and briefings with academics, public officials, and other stakeholders. 

Supervisory Relationships:

This position will have eventual supervisory responsibility with oversight of the day-to-day work product of junior staff and policy analysts and will directly manage junior staff within their verticals; the position reports to the Faculty Director of VPA.

Qualifications

A master’s degree in legal studies or the equivalent, and/or a minimum of 5 years of experience is required. Demonstrated high levels of integrity, honesty, and openness to create strong and enduring collaboration with key leaders across the institution and community is required. Executive level interpersonal and communication skills with ability to effectively relate to and promote diversity and inclusion is required. Ability to demonstrate maturity, creativity and initiative in expanding the Law School’s presence locally and nationally is required. Ability to make sound administrative/procedural decisions using a high level of discernment is required. Ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects is required. Ability to provide technical advice and information to staff in area of expertise is required. Experience in a higher education setting is preferred. Candidates should have an interest in economic policy, political economy, regulation, and/or law.

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.