The Director is the leader and key decision maker of the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt (SSMV) program within the Collaborative for STEM Education and Outreach (CSEO) at Vanderbilt University. Reporting to the Executive Director of the CSEO, this person will lead the day-to-day operations of the SSMV program that offers high school students a four-year, interdisciplinary, research-centered learning experience at Vanderbilt University. The Director will be the lead instructor on the teaching team who administers, implements, and continues to innovate the dynamic curricular framework of the SSMV through coordination and oversight of the teaching team. The Director will develop new programmatic initiatives for the SSMV, will coordinate and oversee these efforts, and will supervise staff to conduct the activities. In addition, this person will be the primary point of contact for SSMV instructors, University volunteers, Metro Nashville Public Schools leadership, program participants, and participant families. The Director will also participate in strategic planning with CSEO leadership and the K-12 community towards providing exemplary programs that advance the missions of the CSEO and its stakeholders. This position is 20% strategy and planning and 80% operational.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage daily and long-term operations of the SSMV program by making decisions about budgets, staffing, and resource allocation

• Lead interdisciplinary scientist teams in development and implementation of curriculum according to program standards and that are based on multidisciplinary STEM topics; incorporate content expertise and experience into the curriculum, as appropriate

• Oversee satisfactory progress of all SSMV students by:

• Proactively identifying issues affecting students and employing resources to address those issues

• Managing the student research component of the SSMV program by directing the process to match students with research labs

• Periodically following up on students’ progress and VU/VUMC faculty participants in this process

• Maintain financial stability of SSMV by pre-approving and monitoring expenses; periodically meeting with AO and CSEO Executive Director to discuss spending, materials and personnel needs; and seeking out external funding sources, including donations, grant proposals, and foundation gifts, all to provide additional programmatic support

• Lead short- and long-term strategic meetings to ensure the current and future existence of the SSMV

• Build and maintain relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders to obtain support for the program as a whole:

• Engage the VU/VUMC research community to participate in programmatic activities, collaborate in developing grant proposals, and create appropriate opportunities in laboratory research for SSMV students

• Maintain relationships with MNPS administration, principals, and teachers to support SSMV students and to preserve a mutually beneficial educational partnership

• Identify and nurture relationships with the greater Nashville community, including SSMV parents, to establish collaborative educational opportunities and to engage stakeholders in supporting the students and the program itself

Qualifications

• Ph. D. or doctorate degree in a STEM or STEM Education discipline from an accredited institution is necessary.

• At least five years of experience as a scientist or engineer in a STEM field is necessary.

• Demonstrated leadership in formal or informal K-12 STEM education is necessary.

• At least 12 months science teaching and curriculum development experience at the middle or high school level is necessary.

• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively with a diverse population is strongly preferred.

• Strong written communication skills including grant writing experience and publication of peer-reviewed manuscripts in STEM journals is strongly preferred.

• Strong time management, organizational and multi-tasking skills, and an eye for detail is preferred.

  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. 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.

  Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.