Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships (10008275)

Vanderbilt University • Full-time • Nashville, TN, US • 18h ago

Job Description

Dialogue Vanderbilt is a university-wide initiative dedicated to advancing civil discourse, pluralism, and open dialogue on campus and beyond. Through student-led programming, events, partnerships, and national convenings, Dialogue Vanderbilt is shaping a model for how communities can engage across differences with curiosity, courage, and respect.

Dialogue Vanderbilt's impact extends well beyond Vanderbilt's campus. Through national collaborative networks and deep community partnerships, DV works to build cultures of free expression and civil discourse at universities, schools, and organizations across the country.

The Sr. Manager, Strategic Partnerships is responsible for managing and growing Dialogue Vanderbilt's key external partnerships and collaborative networks. This role serves as the primary relationship manager and operational leader for two signature national collaboratives-The Dialogue Co Lab and the Open Dialogue Collaborative-as well as DV's community partnerships, including the Elementary School Debates program and the Nashville Urban Debate League. The Sr. Manager will organize annual gatherings and convenings, maintain best practices platforms, lead webinar programming, and actively grow collaborative membership by recruiting universities, organizations, and practitioners committed to building campus and community cultures of civil discourse and free expression. This role requires a skilled relationship-builder, convener, and project manager who is equally comfortable operating at the national network level and engaging deeply with local community partners.

Reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with the full Dialogue Vanderbilt team, the Sr. Manager, Strategic Partnerships plays a critical role in positioning Dialogue Vanderbilt as a national leader in civil discourse and pluralism.

Key Responsibilities:

National Collaborative Networks

The Sr. Manager serves as the operational and relationship lead for Dialogue Vanderbilt's two national collaborative networks, each bringing together institutions committed to advancing civil discourse and free expression on campus.

Manage day-to-day operations and member relationships for both The Dialogue Co Lab and the Open Dialogue Collaborative, serving as the primary point of contact for member institutions and partners.
Develop and execute an annual programming calendar for each collaborative, including convenings, webinars, working sessions, and peer learning opportunities.

Build and maintain best practices platforms for both collaboratives, curating and sharing resources, research, tools, and case studies that help member institutions strengthen their own civil discourse initiatives.
Lead proactive member recruitment efforts, identifying universities, colleges, and organizations working to build cultures of free expression and civil discourse and making a compelling case for collaborative membership.
Design and steward a strong member experience that drives engagement, retention, and peer-to-peer connection across collaborative networks.
Track collaborative membership, engagement levels, and growth metrics; use data to inform programming and recruitment strategy.

Annual Gatherings & Convenings

Lead the planning and execution of annual in-person gatherings for The Dialogue Co Lab and the Open Dialogue Collaborative, in partnership with the DV Events Manager.
Design convenings that create genuine value for members-combining shared learning, best practice exchange, relationship-building, and collaborative problem-solving.
Solicit and incorporate member feedback to continuously improve annual gathering programming and format.

Webinar & Virtual Programming

Organize and facilitate a robust calendar of webinars and virtual programming for collaborative members, featuring practitioners, researchers, and thought leaders in civil discourse, free expression, and campus dialogue.
Identify compelling topics and speakers that address the real challenges and opportunities facing collaborative member institutions.
Manage all logistics for virtual programming, including platform management, promotion to members, and post-event follow-up and resource sharing.
Curate recordings and resources from webinars for the best practices platforms, building a growing library of value for collaborative members.

Community Partnerships

The Sr. Manager oversees Dialogue Vanderbilt's local community partnerships, extending DV's mission
into Nashville-area schools and youth organizations.
Manage the Elementary School Debates program, overseeing the partnership relationship, program logistics, volunteer or facilitator coordination, and ongoing program quality.
Manage the partnership with the Nashville Urban Debate League, serving as DV's primary relationship manager and coordinating DV's involvement in support of the League's mission and programming.
Identify opportunities to deepen and expand community partnerships, connecting DV's mission with Nashville-area organizations working to build dialogue and civic engagement skills in young people.
Ensure community partnership programming reflects Dialogue Vanderbilt's values and contributes meaningfully to partner organizations' goals.
Track outcomes and impact of community partnerships and share findings with the DV team and stakeholders.

Membership Growth & Strategic Outreach

Develop and execute a proactive outreach strategy to grow membership in both national collaboratives, targeting colleges, universities, and mission-aligned organizations across the country.
Build and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective members, cultivating relationships over time and making a compelling case for joining the collaborative network.
Represent Dialogue Vanderbilt at national conferences, convenings, and events to raise DV's
profile and attract new collaborative partners.
Work with the Sr. Marketing Manager to develop outreach materials, communications, and digital presence that support collaborative membership growth.
Develop clear value propositions and membership frameworks that articulate the benefits of collaborative participation.

Team & Organizational Contribution

Serve as an active member of the Dialogue Vanderbilt team, contributing to cross-functional projects and organizational priorities.
Partner with the Sr. Marketing Manager on communications and marketing materials for collaboratives and community partnerships.
Contribute collaborative and community partnership data and insights to DV's broader impact
measurement and reporting efforts.
Represent Dialogue Vanderbilt with professionalism and credibility to national partners, university leaders, and community organizations.
May require travel for annual gatherings, national conferences, and partner convenings, as well as occasional evening availability for community events and programming.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required, master's degree in a relevant field preferred.
5+ years of experience in partnership management, network building, program management, or a related field, ideally in a higher education, nonprofit, or mission-driven organizational context.
Demonstrated experience managing external relationships and partnerships with multiple stakeholders simultaneously.
Proven track record of planning and executing convenings, conferences, or large-scale events.
Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage credibly with university leaders, community partners, and national networks.
Strong organizational and project management skills, with high attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple workstreams and deadlines.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience developing outreach and membership materials.
Self-starter with the ability to work proactively and independently while also contributing as a strong team member.
Genuine commitment to civil discourse, free expression, and pluralism.
Background in membership organizations, professional associations, or collaborative networks.
Familiarity with civil discourse, dialogue facilitation, or free expression issues in the higher education landscape.
Comfort with virtual event platforms, community management tools, and collaborative digital workspaces.
Collaborative, fast-paced team environment with multiple concurrent priorities.
Regular campus presence required; some hybrid flexibility may be available.
Travel required for annual gatherings, national conferences, and partner convenings.

Occasional evening availability required for community events and programming.

Required Skills

Change Management - VU
Influencing Skills - VU
Project Documentation - VU
Project Leadership - VU
Project Management Life Cycle - VU
Project Risk Management - VU
Resource Allocation - VU
Stakeholder Communications - VU
Stakeholder Management - VU
Strategic Planning - VU

About Us

At Vanderbilt 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 in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating 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.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.

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.

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