The Director of Business Development plays a pivotal role in advancing the growth and impact of Vanderbilt Executive Education by developing strategic relationships with organizations seeking transformational leadership and professional development solutions. Working closely with the Senior Director, faculty, Learning Engagement Managers, and university partners, this position serves as a trusted advisor to corporate and organizational leaders, helping them identify learning solutions that address evolving business challenges and leadership priorities.
This role is responsible for cultivating new organizational relationships, expanding existing partnerships, and guiding prospective clients through the development of customized executive education engagements. Success requires exceptional relationship management, strong business acumen, thoughtful communication, and the ability to represent Vanderbilt University with professionalism and credibility among senior executives and organizational leaders.
The successful candidate will contribute to the continued growth of Executive Education while helping organizations develop leaders, strengthen capabilities, and achieve meaningful business outcomes through Vanderbilt's world-class educational expertise.
The Owen Graduate School of Management (OGSM) is a professional school at Vanderbilt University, located in Nashville, Tennessee, focused on graduate-level business education. OGSM’s mission is to create opportunities for its faculty, staff, and students to discover, grow, and thrive in business and beyond. OGSM recognizes discovery in traditional forms, such as scholarly research, intellectual curiosity, and curricular learning. But it also celebrates discovery unique to the human experience, that is, the art of becoming, which is lived through a desire to connect with others, to find meaning in work and relationships, and to create something new. OGSM sees transformation as foundational.
The Owen Executive Education, established in 1991, offers open-enrollment, certificate, and custom education experiences for practicing managers in a wide array of industries and topics. Business acumen, innovation, strategy, change management, operations, negotiations, and leadership are relevant interest areas for many of our clients. Our top priority is exceeding our clients’ expectations for learning impact, value, and relevance.
Please Note: This position, while based in Nashville, may require travel to meet with clients, attend conferences, and represent Vanderbilt Executive Education throughout the region.
Strategic Business Development and Client Engagement
Solution Development and Partnership Growth
Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement
Relationship Management and Market Development
Serve as a trusted representative of Vanderbilt University by maintaining strong relationships with organizational leaders, alumni, community partners, and key stakeholders.
Monitor market trends, leadership challenges, and organizational development priorities to inform business development strategies and future program opportunities.
Maintain accurate records of client interactions, engagement activities, proposals, and business development efforts within the CRM system.
Collaborate closely with Marketing, Learning Engagement, faculty, and Executive Education leadership to strengthen market awareness and support strategic growth initiatives.
Operational Excellence and Team Collaboration
Contribute to annual business development planning, forecasting, and performance reporting.
Maintain a disciplined and organized approach to managing opportunities and client communications.
Demonstrate sound judgment, professionalism, and responsiveness while representing Vanderbilt University.
Foster collaborative relationships across the Executive Education team and contribute to a culture of service, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Supervisory Relationships
This position does not have supervisory responsibility and reports directly to the Senior Director, Executive Education.
Education & Qualifications
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education is preferred.
Demonstrated success developing strategic business relationships within a consultative, client-focused environment.
Experience working with senior executives, organizational leaders, or complex institutional clients.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, presentation, and proposal development skills.
Strong business judgment with the ability to understand organizational challenges and connect clients with meaningful solutions.
Experience managing multiple opportunities simultaneously while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and follow-through.
Ability to collaborate effectively across faculty, leadership, and operational teams within a matrixed organization.
Proficiency with CRM platforms and Microsoft Office applications.
Willingness to travel throughout the region as needed to support client engagement and business development activities.
At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.
We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.
