Director of Community Development

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center :
Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated.

Vanderbilt's mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.

The Vanderbilt Health Executive Search Team is conducting a national search for a Director of Community Development. The Director of Community Development reports to the Senior Director of Development and leads special event fundraising activities that benefit VUMC. The Director collaborates with VUMC leaders and community partners to deliver successful events that grow philanthropic support, amplify awareness of VUMC's mission as a nonprofit academic health system, and identify and cultivate prospects for the annual giving and major gifts pipelines.

Through the exceptional capabilities and caring spirit of its people, VUMC leads in the delivery of exemplary health care, improving the lives of individuals and communities regionally, nationally, and internationally. VUMC Development builds relationships and encourages philanthropic contributions to directly impact today’s work and secure a strong future of service.

First Shift;
Days

• Work with the development leaders to establish measurable goals and objectives aligned with established funding priorities of VUMC.
• Manage and grow a portfolio of third-party and signature event partnerships to increase revenue and brand visibility for VUMC.
• Lead or support all aspects of multiple events – including several that generate $100,000+ each – covering planning, budgets, timelines, vendors, volunteers, day‑of execution, and post‑event analysis.
• Advise event organizers on best practices and ensure appropriate VUMC brand positioning and mission alignment.
• Develop and execute strategic fundraising and stewardship plans to strengthen donor relationships, loyalty, and commitment to VUMC.
• Partner with Corporate and Foundation Relations team members to identify, cultivate, and secure special event sponsor ships with corporate donors, and ensure fulfillment of sponsor benefits.
• Represent VUMC at events and prepare key leaders for event attendance; provide briefings and relay key messages about institutional priorities in written and oral communication.
• In partnership with Development’s Strategic Communications team, manage logistics for public‑facing activities such as check presentations or media events, involving VUMC and/or VUMC Development leadership, and staff from Strategic Marketing or News & Communications as appropriate.
• In coordination with Development Finance, build and manage event budgets; track revenue and expenses; ensure timely reconciliation and reporting.
• In coordination with the Community Development Program Manager, maintain accurate donor and event records and ensure compliance with community event guidelines.
• When appropriate, qualify and refer event donors to Major Gifts to deepen and strengthen their relationship with VUMC.
• Support the overall goals of the major gift team and VUMC Development.
• Travel as required.

• Bachelor's degree and 3 years of relevant experience (e.g., special event fundraising, nonprofit development, corporate sponsor ships).
• Experience may be substituted for education on a 2:1 basis (e.g., 2 years of relevant experience for each year of college not completed).

• 5+ years of special event fundraising experience.
• Demonstrated success in volunteer management, program growth, and event planning execution and evaluation.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to maintain solid working relationships with corporate and community partners, volunteers, and VUMC faculty, staff and leaders.
• Professional attitude; able to exhibit enthusiasm,…