What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of the James Lawson Institute position at Vanderbilt University?
Position Summary
To honor the legacy of Reverend James Lawson, the Director of the James Lawson Institute for the Research and Study of Nonviolent Movements (JLI) nurtures evidence-based research and education rooted in nonviolent strategies; creates and deepens partnerships in the Nashville community and beyond; and develops leaders equipped to contribute to a thriving society. The Director encourages faculty, staff, and students to find new meaning in the Nashville civil rights movement and the legacy of Reverend Lawson’s teachings to make a positive impact. Reporting to the Dean of the Vanderbilt Divinity School, the Director oversees all aspects of the James Lawson Institute, including event programming, the JLI fellowship program, fundraising, budget management, and strategic planning. Through the work of this position, the office supports and nurtures the mission of the Divinity School and those individuals, groups, and associations that comprise the Divinity School, the University, and the broader professional community.
About the Work Unit:
The Divinity School administrators and staff comprise a team committed to excellence in theological education. From different composite areas: admissions, community life, academics, special programming, communications, theological and religious library resources, and development and alumni relations, each person contributes to an innovative and collegial environment. The unit as a whole is committed to the mission of both the University and the Divinity School. We make equity, diversity, and inclusion a priority from a theological foundation of social justice, and we seek to lead the nation in the care, preparation, and professional qualification of our students to the religious and theological professions.
In a global and multi-religious world, the Divinity school seeks to fulfill the following objectives:
- to engage in theological inquiry;
- to help persons prepare for the practice of Christian ministry and public leadership;
- to encourage personal and spiritual formation;
- to prepare agents of social justice; and
- to educate future scholars and teachers, locally and globally.
Direct Programming
- Represents the Institute and provides strategic leadership in developing and communicating the Institute’s mission and how it relates to the broader vision for the Vanderbilt Divinity School and University at large.
- Coordinates with community partners and an advisory council to design, coordinate, and deliver university-wide, city-wide, and national events related to civil rights and social justice.
- Invites visiting scholars and thought leaders to advance dialogue and showcase new perspectives.
- Collaborates with area high schools to offer programming in nonviolent strategies.
- Works with the VDS Communications team on strategy and design for marketing and web presence for events.
- Executes programming in a coordinated and logistically sound manner to maximize impact. This includes, but is not limited to securing reservations and catering, sharing information about the offerings with internal and external stakeholders, submitting events to relevant calendars, and development of surveys and implementation of post-event evaluations.
- Establishes, maintains, and manages internal and external relationships with multiple levels of individuals and organizations to facilitate best practices in programming.
Strategic and Financial Planning
- Manages day-to-day operations and administration of JLI, including supervision of staff and student fellows.
- Guides strategic planning for the institute and provides an annual report to the Institutional Planning Committee.
- Maintains an understanding of university and departmental financial policies related to area such as travel, procurement, expense, and time reporting to ensure compliance and proper stewardship of university resources.
- Provides financial oversight for the institute, including full responsibility for the preparation and management of relevant budgets to ensure proper stewardship of University resources.
- Exercises independent judgment in performing essential administrative and management functions related to the Institute.
- Assists Associate Dean of Development and Alumni Relations with fundraising efforts to supplement JLI funding, including major and small grant applications.
- Ensures adherence to University policies and procedures.
Needs Assessment and Research
- Conducts regular needs assessments to identify programming that meets the diverse needs of the campus and larger community.
- With the Associate Director of Lifelong Learning, identifies new JLI-related lifelong learning offerings with broad reach in the community.
Supervisory Relationships:
This position has supervisory responsibility of the JLI Program Coordinator and the student fellows. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Vanderbilt Divinity School Dean.
Education and Certifications:
- A master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is necessary.
- A doctoral degree (PhD, DMin, or equivalent) is preferred.
Experience and Skills:
- A minimum of seven years of relevant experience in higher education, congregational work, nonprofit management, or community organizing is necessary.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills are necessary.
- Excellent networking and community building skills are necessary.
- Demonstrated financial and budget management skills are necessary.
- Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills are necessary.
- Demonstrated supervisory skills, along with the ability to engage, develop and motivate staff is necessary.
- Experience in grant writing and fundraising is preferred.
- Experience in conflict resolution and/or restorative justice techniques is preferred.
- Experience with programs related to social justice is strongly preferred.
