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The Assistant Director of Strategic Partnerships will serve as VALIANT's primary architect of external relationships, translating connections with industry, academia, and alumni into lasting value for the center. Working closely with the Director, Program Manager, and steering committee to shape the strategic vision for engagement, this role will ensure VALIANT's external partnerships grow deliberately and sustainably — strengthening the center's reputation, expanding its influence, and creating a durable pipeline of support for its mission.
About the Work Unit:
The Vanderbilt Lab for Immersive AI Translation (VALIANT) is a high-impact initiative that fosters an intellectual community dedicated to applying AI in multidisciplinary fields to spark breakthrough innovation. We are not just observers of the future; we are the creators, actively transforming AI on a global scale through an agile, responsive approach to the challenges of today and tomorrow.
Key Functions and Expected Performance:
Report directly to the Director of VALIANT, serving as a key strategic partner in advancing the lab's external engagement priorities
Direct and scale VALIANT's external-facing programs, including the Industry Affiliates Program (IAP) and VALIANT AI Alumni Network, setting strategy to drive engagement across current and prospective members
o Represent VALIANT at industry conferences and events, building relationships with a diverse range of subject matter experts and organizational leaders to identify and develop new industry affiliate partnerships
o Lead prospective industry affiliates through the full engagement process, from initial informational meetings to director-level discussions and final onboarding
o Work closely with Vanderbilt Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization (CTTC), Development & Alumni Relations (DAR), and Sponsored Research Administration (SPA) offices to coordinate IAP affiliate
o Drive engagement strategy for the AI Alumni Network, sustaining relationships with current members and following up with graduating cohorts to grow the network
o Set and execute a quarterly outreach communications strategy for the IAP and AI Alumni Network to keep both communities informed and engaged
o Act as a bridge between new industry affiliates and AI Alumni with the broader VALIANT community and regularly update content on both the IAP and VALIANT AI Alumni Network webpages, including affiliate/member logos and profile information
Develop productive working relationships with faculty and staff across Vanderbilt — both within and beyond the School of Engineering — promoting a unified view of VALIANT's interests and advancing shared engagement and outreach goals
Manage correspondence, relationships, and formal agreements (e.g., MOUs) with local, regional, and international academic institutions to support collaborative programs and identify new partnership opportunities
Organize and coordinate facility tours and interactions between visitors and VALIANT faculty, technical staff, and industry representatives, including preparation of supporting materials and presentations
Consult with VALIANT's Program Manager on the operational and logistical needs of new initiatives, ensuring programs can be implemented successfully and within budget, and collaborate on cross-functional efforts as needed
Serve as a reliable, hands-on team player in support of VALIANT's flagship events (e.g., AI Summer School, Discover AI), assisting as needed with event planning, preparation, and day-of logistics including setup and takedown
Supervisory Relationships:
This position does not have supervisory responsibility.
Education and Certifications
Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., business, communications, engineering, or related discipline)
At least three years of professional experience in relationship management, business development, partnerships, program management, or a related outreach/engagement function
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including senior leaders and subject matter experts
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience developing outreach materials or communications strategies
Proven ability to manage multiple ongoing programs or initiatives simultaneously with a high degree of autonomy
Experience coordinating with internal cross-functional teams or offices to complete administrative processes (e.g., contracts, agreements, or similar coordination work)
Comfort and confidence representing an organization at conferences, events, or other public-facing settings
Current knowledge of, or demonstrated ability to quickly learn, trends and developments in the AI industry
Strong collaborative mindset, with a demonstrated ability to prioritize the center's broader goals alongside individual program responsibilities
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree in a relevant field
Experience working in a higher education, research institution, or university-affiliated setting
Familiarity with industry-sponsored research programs, corporate partnership models, or affiliate/membership programs
Experience managing or growing an alumni network, professional community, or membership-based program
Existing network of contacts within the AI industry or academic research community
Experience with website content management (e.g., updating web pages, member profiles, or similar content)
Experience developing or executing newsletters or other recurring outreach communications