Director External Partnerships and VITA Programs

Director of External Partnerships and VITA Programs

Working Title: Director of External Partnerships and VITA Programs

Work Unit: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences (SOMBS)

Location: Hybrid in-person position; primary location Vanderbilt University main campus with a presence at the Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery (WCNDD), Cool Springs, as necessary. Specific schedule to be established in consultation with the hiring manager.

Position Summary

The Director of External Partnerships and VITA Programs holds a dual portfolio within the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences (SOMBS). This position is responsible for building and managing strategic external relationships that advance SOMBS's research mission and institutional priorities, while also providing strategic and operational leadership for the Vanderbilt Institute for Therapeutic Advances (VITA). VITA is an initiative to accelerate the translation of basic science discoveries into therapeutic advances, connecting world-class academic researchers with the tools, partnerships, and resources needed to move discoveries toward clinical impact.

The Director operates with significant independence and is expected to exercise sound judgment in representing SOMBS to external stakeholders. This role requires a skilled relationship builder and program leader who is equally comfortable engaging with industry executives, university leadership, and scientific faculty. The Director serves as a connective force between SOMBS's world-class research enterprise and the external partners and institutions whose engagement accelerates its impact, supporting both the immediate and long-term success of SOMBS. Position requires occasional overnight travel to meet business needs.

SOMBS is at an exciting inflection point. With the launch of VITA and a growing portfolio of translational research initiatives, this is a unique opportunity to help shape the external identity and partnership infrastructure of one of the nation's premier basic sciences programs. The Director will have significant latitude to build programs and relationships from the ground up, with direct access to senior leadership and a mandate for impact.

Primary Responsibilities

External Partnerships

• Identify, initiate, and manage strategic partnerships with industry and innovation ecosystem organizations in collaboration with SOMBS faculty and leadership and the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization (CTTC).
• Collaborate with Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) when potential philanthropic prospects are identified through external partnership efforts, and in the communication and engagement of alumni and prospective donors for external partnership purposes.
• Develop and execute a portfolio of external engagement activities—including industry site visits, lab tours, strategic meetings, and signature events—that create opportunities for translational collaboration and showcase SOMBS research.
• Build and maintain relationships with regional and national biotech, pharma, and venture science organizations to strengthen SOMBS's presence in the innovation ecosystem.
• In collaboration with SOMBS leadership, design and launch programs that extend SOMBS's reach and reputation.
• Lead strategic communications efforts related to external partnerships, working in consultation with SOMBS leadership and communications team to ensure consistent, high-impact messaging.

VITA Program Management

• In collaboration with the VITA Scientific Director and the VITA Steering Committee, translate VITA's mission and strategic goals into actionable operational plans with clear milestones, timelines, and accountability structures.
• Oversee the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of VITA, including communications, meeting facilitation, project tracking, reporting, and program coordination.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the VITA Steering Committee: prepare agendas and briefing materials, coordinate logistics, document meeting proceedings, and track and follow up on action items.
• Support the VITA Scientific Advisory Board by coordinating meetings, preparing materials, and ensuring follow-through on advisory recommendations.
• Develop and manage VITA-affiliated programs, including symposia, visiting scholar initiatives, and translational partnership activities.
• Lead faculty engagement efforts, including town halls and educational forums, to build awareness of and participation in VITA's mission.
• Partner with the Scientific Director to identify and pursue revenue-generating opportunities, ensuring that financial activities align with university policies and SOMBS standards.
• Ensure coordination between VITA's external-facing activities, communications, and partnership development and the broader External Partnerships portfolio managed through this role.
• Collaborate with DAR on partnerships and philanthropy.

Supervision

• This position reports directly to the Chief of Staff, School of Medicine Basic Sciences.
• For VITA-related programs, this position maintains a functional reporting relationship to the VITA Scientific Director for operational and day-to-day matters.
• This position also coordinates with the VITA Steering Committee on program strategy, governance, and progress reporting.
• This position does not currently have direct reports; however, supervisory responsibility may grow as VITA and the External Partnerships portfolio expand.
• In cases where priorities across reporting lines conflict, the Chief of Staff serves as the primary decision-maker for workload and prioritization.

Qualifications

• Necessary
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
  • Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in partnership development, administration, program management, or a related field within an academic, research, or innovation-sector environment.
  • Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives or programs.
  • Proven ability to build and sustain relationships with senior leaders, faculty, and external partners.
• Preferred
  • Master's degree or advanced credential in a relevant field (e.g., business, public administration, life sciences, higher education administration).
  • Experience in academic-industry partnerships, technology transfer, or translational research programs.
  • Familiarity with biotech, pharma, or venture science ecosystems.
  • Experience in donor relations or development activities within a university or nonprofit setting.
  • Knowledge of research compliance, sponsored programs, or industry contract processes.

Competencies and Skills

• Strategic thinking: Ability to develop new initiatives and partnership structures from concept through execution
• Relationship management: Skilled at cultivating trust and collaboration with senior academic, administrative, and industry leaders
• Program leadership: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives, track complex timelines, and deliver results
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to represent SOMBS effectively to diverse external audiences
• Adaptability: Comfortable operating in a dynamic, evolving environment with shifting priorities
• Judgment and initiative: Exercises sound independent judgment; takes proactive ownership of outcomes
• Attention to detail: Maintains high standards across administrative, strategic, and communications functions
• Science literacy (preferred): Ability to understand and communicate basic and translational science concepts to non-specialist audiences

Required Skills

• Budgeting - VU
• Business Analysis - VU
• Business Process Improvement - VU
• Data Reporting - VU
• Forecasting - VU
• Project Management - VU
• Quality Assurance - VU
• Risk Management - VU
• Stakeholder Management - VU
• Strategic Planning - VU

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