Strategic Sales & Programs Lead

Vanderbilt University; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderbilt University is seeking a Sales Program Manager to drive year-round sales, business development, revenue growth, and client management for the Summer Initiatives portfolio. You will oversee the sales lifecycle from prospecting through proposal, contracting, planning, program delivery, renewal, and account growth, leveraging campus resources.

You will partner with Summer Initiatives leadership and campus partners to develop customized solutions across housing, dining, meeting spaces, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3–5 years of relevant experience, or equivalent education and experience.
• Experience in sales, business development, account management, client services, hospitality, conferences/events, higher education programs, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to develop client relationships, manage opportunities, and support revenue growth.
• Experience developing quotes, proposals, pricing, or client-facing materials.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, organizational, and project-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple clients and priorities in a complex, cross-functional environment.
• Strong initiative, problem-solving, judgment, and follow-through.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends during peak summer periods.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a year-round pipeline of prospective summer programs and partners.
• Coordinate requirements across housing, dining, meeting and activity spaces, parking, transportation, and other campus services.
• Establish planning timelines, deadlines, guarantees, and program requirements.
• Maintain accurate documentation of client commitments, changes, pricing, and operational needs.
• Monitor client satisfaction and proactively address concerns or changing requirements.
• Conduct post-program follow-up and identify opportunities for renewal, expansion, referrals, and future business.

Skills

Sales

Business Development

Account Management

Client Services

Hospitality

Conferences/Events

Higher Education Programs

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

CRM

Event Management

Registration Systems

Housing Systems

Job description

Vanderbilt University is seeking a Sales Program Manager to drive year-round sales, business development, revenue growth, and client management for the Summer Initiatives portfolio. You will oversee the sales lifecycle from prospecting through proposal, contracting, planning, program delivery, renewal, and account growth, leveraging campus resources.

You will partner with Summer Initiatives leadership and campus partners to develop customized solutions across housing, dining, meeting spaces, and