Senior Administrative Officer

Position Summary

The Senior Administrative Officer (SAO) is part of the Office of the Deputy Provost (ODP) at Vanderbilt University (the university). The SAO serves as a key contributor responsible for financial planning, administrative operations, and human resources functions across the Deputy Provost's portfolio, including the Office of Learning Innovation (OLI), the Office of Academic Program Review, Assessment and Accreditation (OAPRAA), the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries (the Libraries), and Vanderbilt University Press (the Press).

The Senior Administrative Officer (SAO) is part of the Office of the Deputy Provost (ODP) at Vanderbilt University (the university). The SAO serves as a key contributor responsible for financial planning, administrative operations, and human resources functions across the Deputy Provost's portfolio, including the Office of Learning Innovation (OLI), the Office of Academic Program Review, Assessment and Accreditation (OAPRAA), the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries (the Libraries), and Vanderbilt University Press (the Press).

Reporting directly to the Chief Business Officer (CBO), the SAO partners closely with university leadership to support strategic decision‑making through budget development, financial forecasting, workforce planning, and operational analysis. The position provides guidance and consultation on financial, administrative, and human resources matters, serving as a liaison between portfolio leadership and central university offices. SAO provides leadership and guidance on a broad range of human resources functions, including talent management, organizational planning, employee relations, recruitment, policy interpretation, and workforce strategy.

The SAO collaborates with managers and leaders to support organizational effectiveness and advance strategic priorities. Working closely with the CBO, Deputy Provost, and other university stakeholders, the SAO helps develop, implement, and monitor financial and administrative processes to ensure compliance with university policies, accounting standards, state and federal regulations, and audit requirements. The position serves as a primary resource on institutional policies and administrative practices and regularly partners with leaders across the university to support effective stewardship of university resources and the achievement of organizational goals.

ODP provides leadership and administrative support for a diverse portfolio of academic and operational units that advance Vanderbilt University’s mission of teaching, learning, research, and scholarship. The Deputy Provost’s units support academic excellence across the university through innovative teaching and learning initiatives, institutional assessment and accreditation activities, scholarly communication and publishing, stewardship of research resources, and the advancement of student, faculty, and institutional success.

The portfolio serves a broad constituency of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external partners and plays a critical role in fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and academic achievement. ODP Provost promotes collaboration across units to strengthen institutional effectiveness, support strategic priorities, and ensure Vanderbilt remains a leader in higher education. Through its collective work, the portfolio advances scholarship, expands access to knowledge, enhances learning experiences, and supports the university’s commitment to excellence in research, education, and service.

• Provides key support for financial planning, resource allocation, and fiscal stewardship…