Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Senior Operations Lead

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Office

Location: Nashville • Tennessee • United States

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Job Level

Senior

About the role

  • Serve as the principal advisor and thought partner to the unit Director or Managing Principal Investigator (PI), facilitating the execution of strategic initiatives.
  • Translate the Director-led innovation hub, workforce enterprise, and economic development shared vision into actionable operational plans that align staff, budgets, and resources to support grant execution, operations implementation, and long-term strategic growth.
  • Support multimillion-dollar grant and contract budget management, including financial reporting, procurement, subawards, and audits in collaboration with the Director/Managing PI and the Lead Grants Manager.
  • Oversee and manage unit wide logistics, operations, management tools, financials, special projects, task forces, and high-impact reports or proposals to foundations, government agencies, and industry partners, all in collaboration with the appropriate support staff and personnel.
  • Hire, onboard, and supervise staff, project managers, and administrative personnel; manage performance evaluations and team structures.
  • Coordinate timelines, deliverables, and compliance for complex, multi-institutional or multi-PI research projects, ensuring alignment with sponsor requirements (e.g., NSF, NIH, DOE).
  • Serve a liaison to external stakeholders, including institutional partners, government agencies, industry partners, foundations, and internal university offices.
  • Support governance activities such as advisory board coordination, strategic planning efforts, and reporting to key institutional stakeholders.
  • Lead and coordinate cross-functional projects involving tech transfer, innovation-driven enterprise, innovation coaching & consulting, enterprise engagement, and regional economic development.
  • Represent the unit in meetings with institutional leadership and executive, deans, faculty, external stakeholders, and innovation ecosystem partners.
  • Track progress toward KPIs aligned with innovation, commercialization, and economic development goals.
  • Supervise staff supporting executive communications, project management, and operational execution.
  • Coordinate strategic planning efforts and facilitate continuous improvement across programs and partnerships.

Requirements

  • A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education or the equivalent years of experience is necessary.
  • A Master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education or the equivalent years of experience is strongly preferred.
  • Experience as an entrepreneur and/or assisting in entrepreneurship, innovation, or deep-technology commercialization programs or centers is required.
  • A high attention to detail is required.
  • Familiarity with and leadership experience in the nonprofit, social sector, academia, or entrepreneurial fields strongly preferred.
  • Experience with design thinking and/or leading innovation, entrepreneurial programming or innovation consortia strongly preferred.
  • Familiarity with NSF I-Corps and Tech Transfer at institutions of higher education.
  • Demonstrated interest in and commitment to service and the common good.
  • Experience successfully supporting partnerships and collaborations with minimal oversight.
  • 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 I-Corps program.
  • Experience navigating university policies and procedures.
  • 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.
Benefits
  • Health insurance
  • 401(k) matching
  • Flexible working hours
  • Paid time off
  • Professional development opportunities
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
budget managementfinancial reportingprocurementsubawardsauditsproject managementdesign thinkinginnovation programmingentrepreneurshiptech transfer
Soft Skills
attention to detailorganizational skillstime managementinterpersonal skillscollaborationleadershipflexibilityproactive attitudecreativityservice commitment