Executive Director

Position Summary:

The Executive Director for Events provides enterprise-level leadership to design and execute Vanderbilt’s strategic donor, prospect, and VIP events and experiences. This role provides a level of standards, service, and support for an operating model that prioritizes a consistent and impactful guest experience that champions the concept of unreasonable hospitality.  

This role leads a team of event and experience professionals while also coordinating with other DAR teams in close partnership and university partners such as University Ceremonies and Events. As a new position, it will help strengthen connections with alumni, parents, and supporters by creating meaningful experiences that highlight Vanderbilt’s impact and inspire deeper engagement and giving. 

About the Work Unit: 

The Department of Development and Alumni Engagement (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. The Department is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University’s teaching and research programs.  You can find more information at www.vanderbilt.edu/dar/

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

Develop and Lead DAR Event Strategy and Operating Model

• DAR has multiple event planners and event-focused teams that sit with different parts of the organization; this position will provide umbrella support and coordination for all areas and directly oversee a small portfolio of events for execution
• Create and maintain a hub of support materials for use across DAR teams to enhance overall guest experiences and increase consistency: templates, checklists, process guides, invitation and registration tools and practices, policies and protocols 
• Institutionalize structured post-event evaluation including assessment of outcomes, resource effectiveness, data collection and CRM practices, and support the creation of dashboards and other tools to evaluate and demonstrate the impact of events
• Champion workflow optimization and systems adoption (e.g. Wrike) and streamlining approaches to ensure appropriate team and functional awareness across university teams
• Consult regularly with team members and event planners in Alumni and Parent Engagement, Development, and other areas to foster greater collaboration, responsibility coverage, and training

Execute Top Donor and Prospect Events and Experiences