Details
Posted: 12-May-22
Location: Nashville, TN, United States,
Type: Full-time
Salary: Open
Internal Number: 10002255
The Program Manager for Social Innovation works in the Wond'ry, Vanderbilt University's Innovation Center, and is a key member of the team. The ideal candidate embodies a demonstrated commitment to, and interest in, social and/or environmental transformation and innovation. The Social Innovation Program Manager will help lead the day-to-day and long-term management, implementation, evaluation, and growth of core programming in the social innovation practice area, to include Map the System, the Social Venture Think Tank, the Social Innovation Apprenticeship, design challenges, and more. The Program Manager will also play a key collaborative role in working with the Associate Director to design program strategy, delegation, and implementation that leads to meaningful, measurable outcomes for all involved. The Program Manager will also help manage partnerships and collaborations with both on- and off-campus partners, including, but not limited to, local non-profits and purpose-driven businesses, public offices, industry partners, and on-campus centers and departments. Last, the Social Innovation Program Manager may fulfill moderate supervisory roles, including managing Wond'ry student employees and fellows who support specific social innovation programming.
The Wond'ry is the university's center for innovation and design. We are an outwardly facing, customer service-oriented unit that serves the entire Vanderbilt community of faculty, staff, and students from all colleges and schools, while also working to build up the innovation ecosystem in Nashville and beyond. We provide a variety of programming, resources, and funding opportunities to help our constituents express and test their ideas, to develop design and systems thinking skills and an innovation mindset, as well as facilitate interdisciplinary and immersive learning experiences. Because we assist with the development of innovations and collaborations across all disciplines, we look for dynamic, self-starting, curious individuals with a variety of background experiences they can leverage to help people along their innovation journey.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Program Manager for Social Innovation performs a variety of complex duties, ensuring the success of Wond'ry Programs and the Wond'ry generally. Responsibilities include:
Program Management
- In collaboration with Social Innovation Program Coordinators, take a lead in planning and monitoring the execution and implementation of Social Innovation programming, working across multiple synchronous programs
- Support the coordination of programmatic activities and events across multiple programs, orchestrating an organized cadence of programming throughout the academic year
- Lead the development and implementation of meaningful program assessment metrics, milestones and processes to ensure consistent program evaluation, both within and across programs
- Help align programmatic deliverables and processes with desired programmatic outcomes
- Identify and communicate programmatic resource needs, taking into account opportunities and limitations of programmatic budgets
- Project a welcoming attitude that ensures participants feel invited and supported as they engage in Wond'ry programming
- Ensure that activities in these areas are aligned with the mission of both the Wond'ry and Vanderbilt University
Program Design, Refinement and Delivery
- Collaborate with the Associate Director in the creation of Social Innovation programmatic strategy to achieve larger organizational goals
- Assist in aligning current and new programs with the Social Innovation practice's core strategy and goals, as well as with broader Wond'ry and Vanderbilt University missions
- Assist in the design and production of curricular materials to support and advance core programming. This may include creating video, print, and digital materials.
- Lead the creation of quarterly and annual programmatic reports, both for internal and external evaluation and communication purposes
- Support the development, implementation, and assessment of meaningful and measurable equity, diversity, and inclusion goals
Partnerships and Collaborations
- Develop and implement a partner and stakeholder analysis and engagement strategy for core social innovation programming
- Manage relationships with diverse partners and programmatic sponsors through regular communication, ensuring programmatic deliverables and strategy provide mutually beneficial value to all involved
- Collaborate with Program Coordinators to identify and facilitate meaningful partnership opportunities that align with both programmatic and organizational goals
- Manage communication with strategic partners and stakeholders engaged in social innovation programming
Organizational Support
- Participate in regular Social Innovation Practice and Wond'ry team meetings and strategic planning sessions
- Provide assistance to other team members and work on other projects on an as-needed basis
- Collaborate with other core staff to turn strategic priorities into meaningful programming
- Work with University partners and Wond'ry colleagues to develop articles, case studies, blog posts and content that highlight Wond'ry programmatic successes
Qualifications:
- A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education is necessary.
- A Master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education is preferred.
- Familiarity with and experience in the nonprofit, social sector, or social innovation fields, with a demonstrated interest in and commitment to service and the advancement of equitable and sustainable communities
- Experience and/or familiarity with design thinking (equity-centered design and/or human-centered design), systems thinking, and/or leading social innovation programming a plus
- Demonstrated celebration of and commitment to inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility
- Experience successfully supporting the development of partnerships and collaborations from early outreach to partnership formalization with minimal oversight.
- Experience managing the day-to-day operations and long-term strategy of multiple programs simultaneously
- Experience developing program evaluation and assessment metrics, protocols and processes
- Extremely well organized with excellent time management skills and the ability to successfully handle multiple programs at once.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to interact fluidly with the many different individuals and organizations that will contact and work with the Center.
- Experience navigating university policies and procedures, and a desire to expand and deepen that knowledge and experience.
- Proficient in office software tools (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Airtable), and other software tools for communication, analysis, and office operations
- Flexible with job expectations and schedule in an office that is on the cutting edge of innovation
- Willing to jump in wherever needed
- Positive, energetic, "can-do," proactive entrepreneurial attitude with a passion for innovation and creativity
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.
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.