The Partnerships Coordinator will play a pivotal role in shaping and advancing strategic partnerships for the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS), one of the fastest-growing colleges on campus. Through this work, the Partnership Coordinator will support the college’s continued growth, strengthen industry connections, and expand opportunities for students. Bringing organization, curiosity, and relationship-building skills, the coordinator will advance engagement with industry, employers, and the community. By connecting college leadership, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders, this role will turn promising connections into meaningful collaborations that strengthen workforce development, inform programs, and support economic development.

Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Partnerships and Economic Development, the coordinator provides dedicated administrative and operational support to the Office of Partnerships and Economic Development. This position combines proactive leadership support, including presentations, communications, scheduling, and meeting coordination, with hands-on coordination and management of partnerships, programs, and industry engagement.

The coordinator helps CECS understand and advance its partnership ecosystem by tracking who is engaged, where relationships stand, how partners align with college priorities, and where opportunities exist for deeper collaboration. Through partnership pipeline management, industry research, database administration, and coordinated engagement plans, the coordinator helps move relationships from initial connection to sustained strategic partnership. As CECS expands, this role builds the processes, strengthens the connections, and ensures the follow-through needed to support a growing network of partners and initiatives.

Partnership and Industry Engagement

Coordinate relationships with industry, employer, workforce, economic development, and community partners, connecting their interests with CECS leadership, faculty, staff, and programs.

Support partner identification, outreach, onboarding, and continued engagement; research industry trends and workforce needs to identify opportunities for collaboration.

Coordinate the College’s Board of Visitors, Government Advisory Board, and Program Advisory Committees, including membership records, meetings, materials, and follow-through on recommendations.

Support employer partnerships for internships, capstones, mentorships, applied learning, and the CECS PATH Certificate, coordinating opportunities, introductions, evaluations, and participation tracking with appropriate staff.

Manages calendars, agendas, meeting logistics, and follow-up.

Prepare presentations, briefing materials, correspondence, and reports.

Workforce, Economic Development, and College Growth

Coordinate workforce training, employer engagement, and economic development initiatives that support CECS growth and respond to industry needs.

Support employer consultations, enrollment, and participation in collaboration with staff responsible for program delivery, registration, and financial administration.

Track project timelines, deliverables, employer feedback, and outcomes; improve processes to support an expanding portfolio of partnerships and programs.

Partnership Operations, Events, and Reporting

Manage partnership databases, ecosystem mapping, and pipeline tracking to document relationships, commitments, engagement levels, next steps, and opportunities for deeper collaboration or reengagement.

Coordinate with the CECS Finance, Administration, and Operations Office on all partnership agreements and memoranda of understanding, including document routing, records, renewals, milestones, and reporting requirements.

Coordinate partner participation in Career Catalyst, Tailgate, RISE Basecamps, Workforce Wednesdays, and other CECS events, including invitations, speaker materials, hospitality, and participation tracking.

Coordinate partner communications, recognition, and stewardship with college communications staff to highlight collaborative successes and sustain engagement.

Track performance indicators and prepare reports on partnership activity, workforce and economic development outcomes; maintain workflows and tools that improve efficiency and responsiveness.

Maintain confidential records and organized systems, exercising discretion, initiative, and sound judgment.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree or 4 years of relevant experience in program or project coordination, external relations, workforce development, or a related setting.

Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities, deadlines, and stakeholder needs.

Strong written and verbal communication skills and experience preparing professional presentations and correspondence.

Proficiency with office productivity software, spreadsheets, presentation tools, databases, and shared collaboration systems.

Ability to handle confidential information, exercise sound judgment, and work independently and collaboratively.

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:

Master’s degree in a related field.

Experience in higher education, industry partnerships, employer engagement, workforce development, or economic development.

Familiarity with relationship management systems, partnership agreements, and database administration.

Experience coordinating advisory boards, committees, or external events.

Experience tracking partnership engagement, preparing reports, and supporting organizational or program growth.

Work Location

Location: Knoxville, TN, UTK Campus

Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

UT market range: MR07

Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here

Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

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

Resume

Cover Letter

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 to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

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!