University of Tennessee

Position Summary

The Center for Global Engagement, (CGE), is hiring an Assistant Director for Global Research, Innovation and Partnerships to join a team of professionals who help UTK colleges and departments identify, establish, and strengthen connections with international partners across higher education, industry and government.

Job Description

The Assistant Director for Global Research, Innovation and Partnerships plays a critical role in strengthening international collaborations while ensuring research security and compliance. The AD supports UT's global vision and research innovation by engaging faculty and developing global research initiatives, supporting proposal development, and coordinating strategic international travel briefings. Additionally, this position monitors federal guidance on global research security, implements partner vetting processes, and identifies risks and opportunities for UT's international partnerships. The role also involves administrative oversight of global partnerships, data analysis, and process evaluation to align international engagement with UT's strategic vision.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!

Required Qualifications

• Education:
• A Master's degree is required.
• Experience:
• Minimum five years’ experience in research development, grant writing, academic research and partnership management.
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience managing complex partnerships, coordinating programs, projects, and events.
• Experience with grant proposal development and understanding of solicitations for external funding.
• Experience working with faculty.
• Experience in positions that require a confident, highly engaged self-starter who takes initiative to navigate demanding workload, set and meet milestones and deadlines, build strong professional working relationships to increase effectiveness of collaborative efforts of team environments across multiple units.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work it the United States on a full-time basis without the need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment visa status.

Other Conditions of Employment

Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident in order to be cleared as a Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
• Strong cross-cultural competence and ability in international working environments
• Culturally and internationally astute, with excellent negotiation and relationship-building skills
• Excellent project management skills
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
• Proficiency using MS Office Suite, especially Teams and Sharepoint
• Effective problem-solving and data driven decision-making skills
• High level analytical skills, with ability to write clear and concise reports and create procedural documentation
• Ability to work outside of standard work hours during international and domestic travel.
• Ability to be an independent contributor and a team player

Preferred Qualifications

• Education:
  • Juris Doctorate (JD) or LLM or extensive contract or international agreements experience.
  • Experience in international research and partnership development, faculty development, global risk management in higher education, knowledge and experience in research security as it relates to partnership development.
  • Experience building partnerships with industry partners.
  • Experience working in foundation or international funding agencies.
  • Global living, work, or study experience.
• Experience:
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
• Knowledge of and experience in research security relates to partnership development.
• Knowledge of policies, regulations, and best practices related to international partnerships and contractual agreements.
• Knowledge of donor agency (federal, foundation, and industry) grants processes
• Experience coordinating global higher education programs.
• Multilingual, with the ability to communicate proficiently in English and another language
• Knowledge of the MoveOn software platform

Work Schedule

This is an on campus position with some flexibility for working hybrid/remote schedule. The successful candidate must be willing to work occasionally on weekends evenings, and or overnights while traveling.

Work Location

• 2309 Kingston Pike, Knoxville TN 37919
• This is an on campus position with some flexibility for working hybrid/remote schedule. The successful candidate must be willing to work occasionally on weekends evenings, and or overnights while traveling.

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR14
• Anticipated hiring range: $73,000 - $83,000
• Regular Full Time Exempt
• Benefits include:
• Generous paid leave, accruing up to 24 days of vacation and 12 days of sick leave annually, plus 14 paid holidays and administrative closing days
• Flexible work arrangements, offering a hybrid schedule to most team members
• Education benefits for employees and their dependents at UT System campuses
• Retirement and deferred compensation plans, including 401(k), 403(b), etc.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Employee discounts to attractions, services, and goods

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit a cover letter, CV or resume, names and contact information for three professional references.

About The College/Department/Division

The Center for Global Engagement, CGE is comprised of seven units (English Language Institute, the International House, International Student and Scholar Services, Programs Abroad, Communications, Global Security, Risk and Resilience, & Global Research, Innovation and Partnerships) that are responsible for working throughout campus, across Tennessee and around the world to provide enriching and diverse international learning and research experiences for faculty, students and scholars.

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