Assistant Director of Strategic Partnerships

MASI Lab; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderbilt University’s VALIANT lab seeks an Assistant Director of Strategic Partnerships to architect external relationships with industry, academia, and alumni, translating connections into durable support for its mission.

You will shape engagement strategy with the Director and steering committee, growing the IAP and AI Alumni Network, and coordinating with internal offices to align programs with Vanderbilt's broader goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., business, communications, engineering, or related discipline).
• At least three years of professional experience in relationship management, business development, partnerships, program management, or a related outreach/engagement function.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including senior leaders and subject matter experts.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience developing outreach materials or communications strategies.
• Proven ability to manage multiple ongoing programs or initiatives simultaneously with a high degree of autonomy.
• Experience coordinating with internal cross-functional teams or offices to complete administrative processes (e.g., contracts, agreements, or similar coordination work).
• Comfort and confidence representing an organization at conferences, events, or other public-facing settings.
• Current knowledge of, or demonstrated ability to quickly learn, trends and developments in the AI industry.
• Strong collaborative mindset, with a demonstrated ability to prioritize the center's broader goals alongside individual program responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Serve as VALIANT's strategic partner to advance external engagement priorities.
• Direct and scale VALIANT's external-facing programs (IAP & AI Alumni Network) and drive engagement.
• Represent VALIANT at industry conferences and events; build relationships for new partnerships.
• Lead prospective industry affiliates through meetings, discussions, and onboarding.
• Coordinate with CTTC, DAR, SPA to support IAP affiliate activities.
• Develop relationships with faculty across Vanderbilt to promote VALIANT's goals.
• Support flagship events (AI Summer School, Discover AI) with planning and logistics.

Skills

Accreditation Processes and Standards

Community Building

Educational Technologies

Event Management

Event Planning

Program Development

Program Evaluation

Stakeholder Communications

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

• https://ecsr.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/10008981

• https://ecsr.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/10008981

Assistant Director of Strategic Partnerships

Nashville, TN, United States(On-site)

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Assistant Director of Strategic Partnerships will serve as VALIANT's primary architect of external relationships, translating connections with industry, academia, and alumni into lasting value for the center. Working closely with the Director, Program Manager, and steering committee to shape the strategic vision for engagement, this role will ensure VALIANT's external partnerships grow deliberately and sustainably - strengthening the center's reputation, expanding its influence, and creating a durable pipeline of support for its mission.

About the Work Unit:

The Vanderbilt Lab for Immersive AI Translation (VALIANT) is a high-impact initiative that fosters an intellectual community dedicated to applying AI in multidisciplinary fields to spark breakthrough innovation. We are not just observers of the future; we are the creators, actively transforming AI on a global scale through an agile, responsive approach to the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

Report directly to the Director of VALIANT, serving as a key strategic partner in advancing the lab's external engagement priorities

Direct and scale VALIANT's external-facing programs, including the Industry Affiliates Program (IAP) and VALIANT AI Alumni Network, setting strategy to drive engagement across current and prospective members

• Represent VALIANT at industry conferences and events, building relationships with a diverse range of subject matter experts and organizational leaders to identify and develop new industry affiliate partnerships
• Lead prospective industry affiliates through the full engagement process, from initial informational meetings to director-level discussions and final onboarding
• Work closely with Vanderbilt Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization (CTTC), Development & Alumni Relations (DAR), and Sponsored Research Administration (SPA) offices to coordinate IAP affiliate
• Drive engagement strategy for the AI Alumni Network, sustaining relationships with current members and following up with graduating cohorts to grow the network
• Set and execute a quarterly outreach communications strategy for the IAP and AI Alumni Network to keep both communities informed and engaged
• Act as a bridge between new industry affiliates and AI Alumni with the broader VALIANT community and regularly update content on both the IAP and VALIANT AI Alumni Network webpages, including affiliate/member logos and profile information
• Develop productive working relationships with faculty and staff across Vanderbilt - both within and beyond the School of Engineering - promoting a unified view of VALIANT's interests and advancing shared engagement and outreach goals
• Manage correspondence, relationships, and formal agreements (e.g., MOUs) with local, regional, and international academic institutions to support collaborative programs and identify new partnership opportunities
• Organize and coordinate facility tours and interactions between visitors and VALIANT faculty, technical staff, and industry representatives, including preparation of supporting materials and presentations
• Consult with VALIANT's Program Manager on the operational and logistical needs of new initiatives, ensuring programs can be implemented successfully and within budget, and collaborate on cross-functional efforts as needed
• Serve as a reliable, hands‑on team player in support of VALIANT's flagship events (e.g., AI Summer School, Discover AI), assisting as needed with event planning, preparation, and day‑of logistics including setup and takedown

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does not have supervisory responsibility.

Education and Certifications

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., business, communications, engineering, or related discipline)

At least three years of professional experience in relationship management, business development, partnerships, program management, or a related outreach/engagement function

Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including senior leaders and subject matter experts

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience developing outreach materials or communications strategies

Proven ability to manage multiple ongoing programs or initiatives simultaneously with a high degree of autonomy

Experience coordinating with internal cross-functional teams or offices to complete administrative processes (e.g., contracts, agreements, or similar coordination work)

Comfort and confidence representing an organization at conferences, events, or other public-facing settings

Current knowledge of, or demonstrated ability to quickly learn, trends and developments in the AI industry

Strong collaborative mindset, with a demonstrated ability to prioritize the center's broader goals alongside individual program responsibilities

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree in a relevant field

Experience working in a higher education, research institution, or university-affiliated setting

Familiarity with industry-sponsored research programs, corporate partnership models, or affiliate/membership programs

Experience managing or growing an alumni network, professional community, or membership-based program

Existing network of contacts within the AI industry or academic research community

Experience with website content management (e.g., updating web pages, member profiles, or similar content)

Experience developing or executing newsletters or other recurring outreach communications

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Accreditation Processes and Standards - VU
• Community Building - VU
• Educational Technologies - VU
• Event Management - VU
• Event Planning - VU
• Program Development - VU
• Program Evaluation - VU
• Program Management - VU
• Project Management - VU
• Stakeholder Communications - VU
• Student Information Systems - VU

ABOUT US

AtVanderbilt University, our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located inNashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus andarboretumdating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of "America's Best Large Employers" as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.

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.