Job Information
Vanderbilt University Medical Center Program Director – Vanderbilt Center for Transplant Science in Nashville, Tennessee
Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center : Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt’s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.
Organization:
Section of Surgical Sciences
Job Summary:
Position Overview:
As the Program Director for the Vanderbilt Center for Transplant Science (VCTS), you will provide visionary administrative leadership to drive the programmatic and financial success of the Center. This pivotal role encompasses overseeing general operations, human resources, financial management, and strategic initiatives to ensure the Center’s continued excellence in research, education, and innovation. You will work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to achieve the Center’s mission.
Key Duties/Tasks:
Oversee and manage the day-to-day operations of the VCTS, ensuring alignment with programmatic and institutional goals.
Provide strategic leadership in financial planning, budgeting, and resource allocation to support the Center’s growth and sustainability.
Supervise human resource functions, including recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and performance management, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence.
Develop and implement long-term strategic plans, identifying opportunities for program growth and improvement.
Serve as the primary liaison between VCTS, the Section of Surgical Sciences, and other institutional departments.
Ensure compliance with institutional policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
Identify and mitigate risks to ensure operational stability and effectiveness.
Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience required.
Experience: Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in program management, administration, or a related field.
Proven track record of leadership in operational and financial management.
Exceptional organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Strong ability to build relationships and work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
Work Schedule:
Monday through Friday, standard daytime business hours.
Enjoy a hybrid work arrangement, with part-time remote work and part-time on-site at our office located at 2525 West End Ave., Nashville, TN.
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DEPARTMENT SUMMARY :
For almost 100 years, the mission of Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Section of Surgical Sciences has been to provide the finest quality care to patients, solve surgical problems that change practice, and educate the next generation of health care providers.
The Section is comprised of eight Departments and nine Divisions which are home to more than 240 clinical and research faculty, 118 residents and 19 fellows. Fore more information, please visit https://www.vumc.org/surgical-sciences/vanderbilt-tradition-excellence .
GENERAL OPERATIONS
Financial management of Center activity (sponsored programs, operating budget, gifts, endowments)
Hiring, training, and development of center staff
Research administration (regulatory compliance, reporting to sponsor, milestone completion)
Communications and Engagement
Space planning operations
Event planning and programmatic activities (Center educational series, visiting faculty, works in progress, symposia, center-supported conferences)
Supporting the data management and data science group
Supporting the recruitment of new faculty
S/he will provide administrative oversight and strategic direction for the VCTS’s signature initiatives, s/he will oversee pilot grants funded through these two initiatives and monitor study budgets. In collaboration with the VCTS Director, s/he will develop and release requests for proposals and guide the proposal review process for both programs.
The Administrative Officer will be responsible for building productive collaborative relationships within the VUMC community.
S/he will work with the VUMC’s marketing to elevate the national profile of the VCTS. S/he will provide direction and guidance for the VCTS communications and engagement strategies including, but not limited to, the annual report, the VCTS website, social and traditional media, local community advocacy, and partnership with national advocacy organizations. S/he will also support efforts to engage with potential donors in partnership with VUMC Development.
As a member of the VCTS leadership team s/he will provide support for VCTS Advisory Board Meetings and other Center-wide events as needed. This position will report to Dr. Peter Reese, the VCTS’s Director. A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible managerial and leadership experience, preferably in an academic medicine environment, is required.
Responsibilities/Duties include but not limited to:
Oversee research operations, financial and grants management; ensure effective utilization of materials, staff and financial resources
Partner with VCTS Director and Departmental Leadership to establish strategic priorities and implementation plans; provide leadership and execute operational tactics to ensure center initiatives are appropriate and accomplished in a timely manner
Hire, supervise, and regularly meet with research staff to manage performance and workload and troubleshoot issues related to the conduct of research
Develop strategic direction and guide all activities of VCTS
Work closely with the director to lead the development and execution Center-supported events such as symposia and conferences
Build and strengthen relationships internally and externally to ensure appropriate collaboration and consensus on research initiatives
Oversee communications and engagement initiatives including the VCTS website, traditional and social media, and community advocacy with the goal of raising that national profile of the Center
Center website and sharepoint updates
Convene Internal and External Advisory Boards to discuss progress and strategic goals, set priorities, and report key programmatic and financial metrics
Prepare materials for and meet with potential donors in collaboration with development and the Faculty Director
Our professional administrative functions include critical supporting roles in information technology and informatics, finance, administration, legal and community affairs, human resources, communications and marketing, development, facilities, and many more.
At our growing health system, we support each other and encourage excellence among all who are part of our workforce. High-achieving employees stay at Vanderbilt Health for professional growth, appreciation of benefits, and a sense of community and purpose.
Core Accountabilities:
Organizational Impact: Delivers projects/assignments that have a direct impact on goals/objectives of the unit/department that the job is in. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Conducts extensive analysis of situations or data to resolve numerous, complex issues; may involve the input/work of others. Breadth of Knowledge: Has in-depth level of knowledge within a professional area and working knowledge of other areas. Team Interaction: May lead mid-sized projects; coaches and guides team members.
Core Capabilities :
Supporting Colleagues: - Develops Self and Others: Invests time, energy, and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance e and gain knowledge in new areas. - Builds and Maintains Relationships: Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships. - Communicates Effectively: Recognizes group interactions and modifies one's own communication style to suit different situations and audiences. Delivering Excellent Service: - Serves Others with Compassion: Seeks to understand current and future needs of relevant stakeholders and customizes services to better address them. - Solves Complex Problems: Approaches problems from different angles; Identifies new possibilities to interpret opportunities and develop concrete solutions. - Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing support and coaching in a constructive manner to increase employees' effectiveness. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality; directly addresses quality issues promptly. - Ensures Continuous Improvement: Applies various learning experiences by looking beyond symptoms to uncover underlying causes of problems and identifies ways to resolve them. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Understands all aspects of providing a safe environment and performs routine safety checks to prevent safety hazards from occurring. Managing Resources Effectively: - Demonstrates Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of ownership, focusing on and driving critical issues to closure. - Stewards Organizational Resources: Applies understanding of the departmental work to effectively manage resources for a department/area. - Makes Data Driven Decisions: Demonstrates strong understanding of the information or data to identify and elevate opportunities. Fostering Innovation: - Generates New Ideas: Proactively identifies new ideas/opportunities from multiple sources or methods to improve processes beyond conventional approaches. - Applies Technology: Demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning new technologies, tools, and procedures to address short-term challenges. - Adapts to Change: Views difficult situations and/or problems as opportunities for improvement; actively embraces change instead of emphasizing negative elements.
Position Qualifications:
Responsibilities:
Certifications:
Work Experience:
Relevant Work Experience
Experience Level:
7 years
Education:
Bachelor's
This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.
Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled.