University of Tennessee

The College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) invites applications for an Assistant Dean of Partnerships and Economic Development (ADPED) to begin as soon as possible. The ADPED is a joint appointment between the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS) and the Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Development (ORIED), split 75/25 respectively. This role will report to the Dean of CECS and the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research & Director of ORIED. This incumbent is central to UTK’s mission of preparing students for the future economy through innovative programs, industry-aligned curricula, and immersive learning.

The ADPED will serve in the Dean’s Executive Cabinet and lead the college to build and expand strategic partnerships, secure workforce development strategies, attract industry investment, and inform educational programs with emerging labor market needs. In addition, the ADPED will work collaboratively with ORIED to coordinate strategies to engage with chambers of commerce, the Tennessee Department of Labor, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, and other statewide organizations to ensure that CECS and ORIED are deeply aligned with state economic development and workforce strategies and can respond with agility to workforce demands. The ADPED will be responsible for hosting, evolving and growing the CECS signature event, Career Catalyst, and manage the numerous industry boards that inform and shape CECS curriculum and student experiences.

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 and Experience:

• Master’s degree required in relevant field
• Minimum of 7 years in economic development, partnerships, or workforce strategy
• Strong track record in funding, relationship-building, and innovation
• Knowledge of workforce systems and curriculum integration
• Proven stakeholder engagement and strategic planning skills
• Familiarity with academic institutions and operations

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

Desired Experience:

• Doctoral Degree in relevant field • Ten years’ experience in economic development, community fundraising, academic advancement, sales, marketing, communications, grants administration, entrepreneurial activities or other similar fields.
• Experience in economic development or industry partnerships role, and knowledge of space-based recruitment and growth strategies including best practices related to alignment with university/organizational missions.
• Experience in working with chambers of commerce and other relevant labor and economic development organizations
• A proven track-record with collaboration at a high level, and the ability to develop large public-private partnerships.
• Demonstrated understanding of the intersections between research, applied science, and industry.
• Knowledge of academic institutions and operations

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability and confidence to ask for and close agreements
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and complex environment with minimal supervision
• Ability to work independently and confidently with senior leadership at UT and in the corporate sector, donors, and volunteers
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to relate to Advancement colleagues, faculty, and staff
• Strong relationship management skills
• High level of professionalism, integrity, good judgment, and the ability to work in a team environment
• Prior knowledge and familiarity with local and national business environments as well as local, state, regional and national research and economic initiatives
• Ability and willingness to travel as necessary
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage stakeholder relationships and engage with industry leaders and groups
• Demonstrated knowledge of the business community, both locally and nationally to be able to identify opportunities
• Demonstrated ability to interact and work collaboratively with faculty and gain knowledge and understanding of university expertise and capabilities
• Demonstrated experience in providing a high level of proactive customer service to internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to deal with confidential and sensitive matters

To Apply:

Screening of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references. All materials must be submitted through the University of Tennessee’s online application system.

About the College:

The College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is at the forefront of changing the future of higher education. It is a first-of-its-kind college created to meet the needs of students seeking a customizable degree path in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and data science that leads to rewarding careers upon graduation. CECS offers timely, innovative, student-centric degrees, minors, and stackable certificates at both undergraduate and graduate levels that address the future talent gap and expose students to experts and disciplines from across campus through a cross-cutting curriculum. CECS utilizes strong industry partnerships to ensure students gain relevant skills and real-world experience, offering for-credit internships and multi-disciplinary projects. CECS emphasizes the cohort experience where students learn and interact with fellow students from across campus and disciplines, allowing them to learn from one another and work together to solve real-world problems.

Who We Are:

We are a small team of energetic, adaptable, and hardworking individuals committed to educational initiatives that will lead to meaningful careers for our students and a positive impact on society. Every member of our team is a valuable collaborator, driven entrepreneur, and proficient multi-tasker dedicated to working together to find innovative approaches to achieving our shared goals. We are fast-moving and growing. Our work is constantly evolving to meet changing needs.

Who We Are Looking For:

We are searching for a pathfinder, problem navigator, and strategy creator who proactively works to make us more efficient and effective through teamwork and collaboration. We need an intentional learner with the intellectual resilience to tackle new challenges, welcoming uncertainty with a growth mindset. We need a seasoned professional who exercises good judgment and can be trusted to provide sound counsel to colleagues and leadership. We need a teammate dedicated to our mission and who shares our values.