Director, Next Steps

Peabody College of Vanderbilt University invites applications for the staff position of Director of Next Steps at Vanderbilt. This 4-year inclusive higher education program provides neurodiverse students with an inclusive, transformational post secondary education in academics, social and career development, and independent living.  Launched in 2010, and housed in the Department of Special Education, Next Steps at Vanderbilt consistently provides graduates with a solid foundation in lifelong learning through immersion in the exceptional academic opportunities of our highly ranked university.  

The Director will direct the implementation of all components of the Next Steps at Vanderbilt, an inclusive higher education program. This entails oversight of the recruitment and skills development of the programs’ student body. In addition, the Director leads the building of public awareness activities, and the selection and hiring processes of staff members. Externally, the Director collaborates with campus/community leaders, the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, the Tennessee Alliance for Inclusive Higher Education, and state partners to expand the opportunities afforded Next Steps and new programs in our state and region.

We are seeking an emerging or established leader who is committed to inclusive higher education and has the relevant educational and professional experiences to direct this innovative program. The Director is responsible for overseeing all components of Next Steps at Vanderbilt, including hiring, managing, and assisting Program staff to recruit Next Steps at Vanderbilt students; ensure a high-quality Program that is responsive to student needs; engage Vanderbilt students, staff, and faculty in the Program; and increase awareness of the Program in our local and state communities, and the national network of inclusive post-secondary education programs. The Director will work in partnership with Vanderbilt University administrators, faculty, staff, students, and development officers, as well as with community and state partners. Such collaborations build on the broad-based support for Next Steps at Vanderbilt on and off our campus and ensure that the Program adheres to the highest standards of inclusive practices for neurodivergent, post-secondary students. The director will also work with the Business Offices of the Department of Special Education and the Dean of Peabody College to develop and oversee the budget of the program.

For over five decades, the Department of Special Education has been a prominent leader for individuals with disabilities, working with their families, and the schools and agencies that serve them. The Next Steps program at Vanderbilt reflects the Universities’ commitment to diversity in the pursuit of excellence in learning and discovery. Vanderbilt University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer; people of color, women, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Duties and Responsibilities 

• As the leader of the Next Steps program, the Director will work in partnership with Vanderbilt administrators, faculty, staff, and students; community partners; and state partners in a collaborative manner to ensure that the promotion of the highest inclusive practices are developed and implemented on our campus and beyond. This means being the point of contact for members of the Next Steps Steering committee (high level VU administrators and partners with NS leadership that meet bi-monthly), the Next Steps Advisory Council (a volunteer advisory group comprised of community members and NS leadership staff that meets quarterly to raise funds and awareness for Next Steps), and Departmental/College leaders.
• Continual oversight and attention to the details of the development and implementation of the foundational components of the Next Steps’ program of study which includes person-centered planning, academics, career development, campus life supports, and residential life to confirm accountability of a unified program.
• Coordinate the team response to student challenging behavioral situations and concerns as needed. This includes following university policy to notify the correct chain of command and departments and offices. 
• Facilitate the recruitment, selection, and hiring processes for a highly qualified staff member to join the team
• Ongoing communications with all staff members to monitor workplace satisfaction and to provide needed supports that will help to promote a healthy, productive workforce
• Attention and adherence to best practices in the field of inclusive higher education articulated by Think College and other disability organizations to ensure that Next Steps at Vanderbilt remains a competitive program that reflects best practices
• Provide expertise and management of partnerships and collaborations with external entities that impact Next Steps at Vanderbilt and the TN IHE Alliance , this includes but is not limited to the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (VKC UCEDD), the TN Department of Education, Human Services/Vocational Rehabilitation, TN Council on

Developmental Disabilities, Disability Rights Tennessee, the TN Student Assistance Corp., TN Higher Education Commission, TN Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, the Arc TN and area chapters of the Arc, area school systems

• Review of internal and external data and understand how data can be used to help create programs and initiatives that will enhance the college experiences for students enrolled through Next Steps
• Coordinate the creation of relevant content, and the frequent updates of material for public awareness in printed and online formats, this includes revisions to the Next Steps website.
• Lead internal and external work groups to proactively address priority issues impacting inclusive higher education opportunities in our state and region to ensure our voice and the voice of our students and families are represented
• Manages a $500,000 annual budget for Next Steps at Vanderbilt
• Coordinate fundraising priorities with the Dean of Peabody College and the office of Development and Alumni Relations
• Oversee procedure and policy manual and calendar updates 
• With respect, compassion, and professionalism lead discussions with families to ensure their interests and input is heard and to implement the policies and procedures of our program
  • Frequent family meetings
  • Discussions about student conduct concerns o Payment of tuition concerns o Student self-advocacy
  • Other areas as needed

Supervisory Relationships:

• This position does have supervisory responsibility for all the Next Steps at Vanderbilt staff; seven full-time staff and two part-time staff. There are also supervisory responsibilities for the graduate assistants that are assigned to Next Steps. 

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or equivalent experience) and 5-7 years relevant experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disability is necessary  

The following are required

• Strong project management skills
• Excellent collaboration skills and relationship management abilities
• Working successfully as a team and individually
• Excellent communication and writing skills
• Ability to build positive working relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to prioritize and manage work effectively
• Exceptional customer service and representation of Next Steps at Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt University
• Team and personnel management
• Budget management
• Representation of the program to University and external parties including families, news media outlets, and state and national professional organizations § Ensuring work is detailed, accurate and timely

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. 

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.