Strategic Projects Manager, Athletics Communications

The Athletics Communications Strategic Projects Manager serves as a key member of the Athletic Communications team within Vanderbilt University���s Division of Communications and Marketing. This position provides day-to-day project management and operational oversight for strategic communications initiatives, campaigns, and projects that enhance the visibility and reputation of Vanderbilt University’s athletics program.

Working collaboratively with communications specialists, social media professionals, and colleagues across Communications & Marketing and Athletics, the Strategic Projects Manager ensures projects are effectively planned, executed, and evaluated. Key responsibilities include managing timelines, delegating tasks, tracking milestones, analyzing data, preparing reports, and supporting budget management and stewardship. This role plays a critical part in delivering innovative communications strategies that strengthen Vanderbilt Athletics’ distinctive brand.

Reporting directly to the Director of Operational Excellence in Communications & Marketing, this position does not have supervisory responsibility. This role requires high attention to detail, expertise in communications planning and project management, and the ability to work in close collaboration with a team. This role also requires the ability to report to work in-person on the Vanderbilt University campus.

Vanderbilt’s Communications and Marketing team is a fast-paced, highly collaborative group that serves as the central hub for strategic messaging and storytelling across the university. The division partners with leaders and departments across campus to design integrated campaigns and innovative communications solutions that advance Vanderbilt’s academic mission, research goals, and community impact. The Athletics Communications unit plays a vital role in this work—amplifying the university’s story through the lens of sport, student-athlete achievement, and team success.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan and manage high-impact strategic communications projects for Vanderbilt Athletics that require cross-team collaboration across Communications and Marketing and with other areas of the university, including Athletics, and Development and Alumni Relations.

• Work with Athletic Communications and Communications and Marketing leadership and team members to develop and implement strategic communications plans for each varsity sport. Drive and monitor plans, timelines and workflow through successful completion.

• Coordinate a communications calendar for all Athletic communications. Manage key performance indicators and measurement tools for Athletic communications.

• Analyze and interpret data and information and make appropriate recommendations based on findings.

• Serve as lead and subject matter expert for the office’s project management system, tracking all projects and proactively working to ensure project progress.

• Source, hire and manage payment for freelance creative staff.

• Write and create monitoring