What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sr. Director of Competition & Regulatory Policy, Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator position at Vanderbilt University?
The Sr. Director of Competition and Regulatory Policy is part of the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator (VPA) in the Law School at Vanderbilt University and is the leader responsible for the development and implementation of the policy agenda and research portfolio associated with the Project on Networks, Platforms, and Utilities and related antimonopoly policy efforts. The Sr. Director will spend a significant amount of time providing strategic policy guidance and programmatic oversight of key VPA priorities. This position will function independently and be a decision-maker with supervisor responsibilities. This position reports to the Faculty Director of VPA
Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead Development and Implementation of Policy Agenda and Research Portfolio (40%)
• Independently spearhead the formulation and execution of a comprehensive policy agenda focused on industrial policy and economic security, addressing supply chain disruptions, domestic production, trade conflicts, economic sanctions, and state capacity
• Collaborate closely with the faculty director and executive director to shape and advance the IPES policy framework.
• Exercise independent judgment in essential administrative and management functions related to the IPES project.
• Supervise, mentor, and coordinate workflow for VPA staff and fellows to effectively execute the IPES agenda.
• Oversee public relations, media, and internal/external communications in collaboration
• Ensure project management of key initiatives, maintaining administrative accuracy and integrity across VPA operations.
• Advise on significant components of the VPA budget ($1M) in consultation with the executive director.
• Cultivate and expand strategic relationships with local, regional, and national partners, stakeholders, and funders, representing VPA in external engagements. - Administer Production of Research and Policy Communications (40%)
• Direct the research, drafting, and dissemination of white papers, academic publications, and other policy documents that align with VPA priorities.
• Oversee the creation of policy briefs and other communications, including press releases, social media content, and op-eds, to promote VPA’s initiatives on industrial policy and economic security.
• Provide leadership and direction to policy analysts in their research and writing efforts. - Strategic Direction for VPA Policy Agenda and Communications (10%)
• Offer strategic counsel to the faculty director and executive director on VPA’s mission and program administration, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. - Administer Programming and Public Outreach (10%)
• Oversee the planning and execution of conferences, events, and other programming related to the IPES portfolio.
• Support broader programming initiatives across the VPA as needed.
• Organize and facilitate meetings and briefings with academics, public officials, and other key stakeholders.
Supervisory Relationships:
This position will have eventual supervisory responsibility with oversight of the day-to-day work product of junior staff and policy analysts and will directly manage junior staff within their verticals; the position reports to the Faculty Director of VPA.
Qualifications:
• A master’s degree in legal studies or the equivalent, and/or a minimum of 5-10 years of experience is required.
• Experience in a higher education setting is preferred.
• Candidates should have an interest in economic policy, political economy, regulation, and/or law.
• Demonstrated high levels of integrity, honesty, and openness to create strong and enduring collaboration with key leaders across the institution and community is necessary.
• Executive level interpersonal and communication skills with ability to effectively relate to and promote diversity and inclusion is necessary.
• Ability to demonstrate maturity, creativity and initiative in expanding the Law School’s presence locally and nationally is necessary.
• Ability to make sound administrative/procedural decisions using a high level of discernment is necessary.
• Ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects is necessary.
• Ability to provide technical advice and information to staff in area of expertise is necessary.
• Relocation to Nashville is strongly preferred, but remote work with occasional travel may be possible, on a case-by-case basis.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
