Assistant Director For Student Advocacy Center for Student Advocacy UTK

Reporting to the Director of Student Advocacy the Assistant Director provides leadership and operational oversight for the Center for Student Advocacy. The position helps set goals and priorities; develops and implements policies and procedures; supervises professional and student staff; and supports key functional areas including the Tennessee Family Experience and Student Government Association (SGA) advising. The Assistant Director leads outreach and partnership initiatives and collaborates closely with Student Life Communications to support strategic communications efforts. The position also represents the center on university teams and committees.

Administration:

• Provide vision leadership and oversight of Center services and programs; support budgeting and policy/procedure development; Partners with Student Life Communications on Tennessee family communication strategies; serve as a primary consultant for family advocacy; participate in Center leadership; support recruitment hiring and training of student coordinators; ensure compliance with best practices; prepare reports as requested.

Communication Outreach and Partnerships:

• Partners with Student Life Communications to coordinate public relations and communications (including coordinating web updates reports and publications); grow Student Advocacy through campus and community outreach and partnerships; serve on and chair select university teams.

Personnel Management:

• Supervise professional coordinator staff and student coordinators; provide direction/feedback on expectations and procedures; develop professional development opportunities (e.g. NASPA AHEPPP SACSA SEC Exchange); assist with annual intern/practicum recruitment.

Education and Programming:

• Develop coordinate and implement Tennessee Family Experience initiatives focused on communication advocacy social programming and volunteer opportunities; assist with other Center programming/education; review and advise Student Government Association outreach and programming.

Advising:

• Serve on the SGA advisement team; advise SGA legislative functions; advise student leaders on policies/procedures; empower student leaders and advocate for students; attend meetings and programs; maintain strong collaborative relationships with SGA university leadership and supporters.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Masters degree in higher education student affairs counseling public administration or a related field. (By start date spring 2026 graduates encouraged to apply.)
• Experience: Four (4) years of related work experience. 2 years of graduate assistantship can count as 1 year of experience.
• Knowledge Skills Abilities: Strong interpersonal communication (oral/written) and listening skills; ability to collaborate with internal and external constituents and foster positive productive relationships; ability to make sound decisions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience: Experience in a higher education environment; experience advising student organizations; experience in case management; demonstrated commitment to the educational and holistic development of students.
• Knowledge Skills Abilities: Knowledge of trends/issues affecting students and families (including legal issues programming and national trends); knowledge of student development and learning theory and application; knowledge of assessment practices (learning outcomes and reporting); strong presentation organization and supervision/management skills.

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville Tennessee
• Onsite Hybrid or Remote: Onsite (campus-based). Occasional evening/weekend hours and occasional overnight travel may be required.

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR10
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structurehere
• Find more information on UT Benefitshere

Application Instructions

To express interest please submit an application with the noted below attachments.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

About the College/Department/Division

The Division of Student Life is comprised of an outstanding group of professionals who create student-centered opportunities that contribute to a transformative Volunteer Experience. These opportunities allow students to grow their skills and knowledge outside of the classroom. From health and wellness to service and engagement we provide opportunities where students exemplify the Volunteer Spirit inspiring others to learn lead and serve.

Our departments provide essential services that support student success and future growth fostering engagement leadership and wellness while enhancing belonging. Together they create transformative experiences that help students achieve both academic and personal goals.