Assistant Director Vol Edge Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration UTK

Reporting to the Associate Director of Vol Edge the Assistant Director of Vol Edge plays a key role in advancing a campus-wide career readiness initiative designed to help undergraduate students engage in high-impact experiences and effectively articulate their skills and competencies. This role supports the development implementation and assessment of Vol Edge contributing to the Division of Student Success goal of ensuring all UT students thrive and graduate with confidence in their next steps. The Assistant Director supervises a full-time Career Educator and a team of student employees and operates in a dynamic environment that requires strong problem-solving adaptability and continuous learning.

Student Outreach & Marketing

• Leads the development and execution of a strategic marketing plan for Vol Edge in collaboration with key partners including OCM DSS Communications and the Faculty Director for Career Readiness supporting the university goal of 100% undergraduate student participation in career readiness and Vol Edge

• Leads a Vol Edge marketing strategy meeting with the Division of Student Success Communications team to align messaging coordinate campaigns and incentives and drive campus-wide engagement

• Integrates student voice into the design and assessment of Vol Edge through focus groups workshops and outreach activities

• Manages the Vol Edge website and related digital and print resources

• Collaborates with the CCDAE social media team to promote Vol Edge

• Recruits students through campus events workshops and targeted outreach efforts

• Builds campus-wide awareness of Vol Edge through presentations and partner engagement

• Serves as a key connector across academic and administrative units to advance campus-wide adoption of Vol Edge

Supervision & Leadership

• Supervises and mentors a full-time Vol Edge Career Educator
• Leads hires and develops a team of student employees supporting program operations (marketing technology assessment etc.)
• Onboards and trains new student staff in coordination with the Assistant Director of Outreach to ensure alignment with Peer Career Advisor (PCA) training
• Integrates competency development into the team experience and ensures students can effectively articulate the value of their experience
• Cultivates a positive team environment and provides opportunities for student professional development

Project Management

• Ensures Vol Edge implementation stays on track and meets key milestones
• Contributes to strategic planning efforts to advance Vol Edge outcomes
• Manages vendor contracts to ensure timely delivery of services and deliverables
• Manages the program budget and reconciles invoices and expenditures
• Leads event planning for Vol Edge and coordinates student outreach for future cohorts

Technology Management & Data

• Oversees data and content within Salesforce to track student engagement and program outcomes
• Conducts student learning outcome assessments related to program components
• Collaborates with partners to provide student participation and learning data to units and university leadership
• Prepares reports and assessments provides recommendations to leadership and implements improvements based on findings

Other department division and professional responsibilities

• Departmental: Assist in planning implementing and staffing other departmental activities events and programs that are in line with the centers mission including career fairs and major events departmental marketing and community outreach.

• Divisional: Participate in division activities that are in line with overall mission of Student Success.

• Professional: Hold membership and participate in professional organizations that are aligned with the center divisions and universitys mission.

Required Qualifications

• Education:

  • Masters Degree

• Experience:

  • Minimum of three years full-time experience in higher education at time of hire. Two years of graduate or part-time work will count as one year of professional experience.

• Knowledge Skills Abilities:

  • Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects involving multiple stakeholders

  • Demonstrated ability to lead teams and cultivate a positive team environment

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to project professionalism in partner interactions

  • Demonstrated ability to gather and analyze data to inform decision-making

  • Proven ability to lead and mentor student employees

  • Experience designing and implementing effective marketing strategies

  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain collaborative professional relationships

  • Demonstrated ability to plan organize and coordinate events and programs

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-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience:

  • Higher education experience

  • Supervision experience

• Knowledge Skills Abilities:

  • Knowledge of career competencies career development theories job search strategies and experiential learning in career readiness

  • Understanding of design thinking principles and student learning theory

  • Familiarity with curriculum development and instructional design practices

  • Knowledge of career services management systems such as Handshake

  • Familiarity with customer relationship management tools such as Salesforce and event management platforms such as Blackthorn

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville TN

• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range:MR11

• Anticipated hiring range:Minimum $61000

• 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. To be assured of full consideration completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted.

• Resume

• Cover Letter

• List of 3 Professional References