The Marketing and Communications Strategist is part of the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization (CTTC) team within the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) at Vanderbilt and is a key individual contributor responsible for managing a successful technology marketing and communications outreach program for the office. This consists of gathering and providing metrics data and information about CTTC activities and organizing them for presentation via annual and other periodic reports, marketing campaigns, publications, workshops, social media channels, public presentations or other methods of communication. This position collaborates closely with the OVPRI communications team, along with the central marketing and communications teams at Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center across various schools and departments. This person will work with the CTTC licensing, new venture development, and industry collaborations teams and industry professionals at all levels in developing long-range marketing and outreach goals, generating technology summaries to assist with commercializing Vanderbilt innovations, developing content related to center outcomes and prominent innovations, and raising the profile of Vanderbilt as a leading institution for research translation and innovation. A primary focus of the individual will be to communicate effectively with inventors and with internal stakeholders to disseminate information about reported technologies and the status of such technologies in the pipeline.

The Marketing and Communications Manager must be able to manage/coordinate multiple responsibilities and complex projects. It is essential that this be an individual who can work successfully with faculty, students, staff, external parties, and other CTTC personnel. This position will report directly to the CTTC Director of Operations, with a dotted-line report to the Assistant Provost for Research Strategy.

The Vanderbilt Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization's mission is to provide professional commercialization services to the Vanderbilt community, thus optimizing the flow of innovation to the marketplace and generating revenue that supports future research activities, while having a positive impact on society. We accomplish this by serving as an efficient and effective conduit for the transfer of promising intellectual property to industry; contributing to regional economic development by licensing locally and supporting new venture creation; and encouraging greater translational research collaborations between academia and industry.

The goal of the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) is to promote Vanderbilt’s distinctive research culture, which aspires to improve the human condition through pathbreaking discovery and innovation. In addition to overseeing the university’s research portfolio, the VPRI also oversees the implementation of the university’s new future vision and trans-institutional strategies and works closely with the Provost, academic Deans, Vice Provosts, and faculty at large to advance the quality of research and scholarship university wide. The Office develops strategies and provides services to enhance extramural support for research from all sources including corporate, foundation, federal, and philanthropic; advance a cohesive and vibrant trans-institutional research agenda; and build strategic partnerships around shared priorities in research. The VPRI works with the Vanderbilt University Research Council in advocating for the research and scholarship missions of all disciplines at Vanderbilt.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Marketing and Communications Manager will assist others across the CTTC office in developing and accomplishing short and long-range marketing and outreach goals and other objectives of CTTC through active management of multiple projects in parallel.

Specific tasks will include:

• Creation and presentation/dissemination of CTTC services, accomplishments, events, and other information via online platforms (e.g., website, LinkedIn, YouTube), presentations, academic posters, and printed materials or items (targeted to various constituents), and ensuring materials are updated regularly.

• Developing and disseminating key center marketing and promotion materials, including annual reports, various newsletters, and biweekly activities bulletin – including content creation, design, and layout

• Coordination of CTTC efforts in preparing for and attending relevant industry meetings and conferences

• Generating and selecting content for licensing, new venture development, and operations teams

• Developing and editing video content to market CTTC-managed technologies and core research capabilities of VU and VUMC

• Maintaining CTTC’s electronic content commerce site (VU Innovations)

• Developing and maintaining technology portfolios, new ventures, and industry collaboration efforts, in conjunction with CTTC’s licensing and new ventures teams

• Generation, promotion, and coordination of internal and external events sponsored by CTTC

• Overseeing recognition programs, both for CTTC personnel and for innovative researchers and aspiring faculty entrepreneurs

• Managing CTTC participation in school and institutional educational events, such as resource fairs

• Serving as liaison to the OVPRI communications team and other communications and marketing departments across campus, including coordinating release of technology-related stories with VU and VUMC News and Public Affairs offices

• Providing support for key internal programs, activities, news, and awards promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, e.g. Master Innovator program and Innovation Ambassador program

• Maintaining positive relationships with various constituencies and stakeholders, including all levels of faculty, chairs, deans, center directors, attorneys, and other administrators. Other routine contacts may include state, national, and international businesses, outside law firms, attorneys, and periodic contact with federal and state agencies and officials and foundation representatives.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education (or equivalent experience) is required.

• A minimum of three years of experience in a marketing and/or communications role is required. Five or more years of experience is preferred.

• Experience with communications and public relations.

• Demonstrated video production and editing skills.

• Demonstrated interest in science and technology

• Demonstrated experience with digital marketing strategies and capabilities

• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, prioritize extensive workload, and follow-up consistently with limited or no supervision

• Experience with generative AI tools, such as Chat GPT

• Demonstrated outstanding oral and written communication skills

• Demonstrated outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community of academic and corporate cultures

• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as in a team environment and to work under pressure with tight deadlines

• Exceptional organizational/analytical skills and attention to detail required

• Demonstrated ability to analyze, interpret, and draw inferences from a variety of information sources, act accordingly, and prepare reports

• Demonstrated ability to use independent judgment and manage confidential information

• Progressive experience with database, word processing, presentation and spreadsheet software

• Significant design experience with Adobe Suite – InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Premier

• Experience with WordPress and website management

• Ability to summarize large amounts of information in concise, yet informative and readable format is essential

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education. Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.