Assistant Dean for Finance, Administration & Operations - College of Communication & Information - UTK

University of Tennessee • Knoxville, TN

16h • $125,000 - $140,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s College of Communication and Information (CCI) is seeking an experienced leader to serve as Assistant Dean for Finance, Administration, and Operations. Serving as the College’s chief officer for business, operations, and human resources, this position reports directly to the Dean and provides the strategic oversight necessary for the College’s continued growth. In this role, you will manage the essential functions of the College—from navigating the Budget Allocation Model (BAM) and long-range capital planning to coordinating the faculty and research investments that drive our mission. You will act as a key liaison for the Dean and the College Leadership Team, while leading a dedicated eight-person staff across finance, HR, IT, and facilities. We are looking for a collaborative leader who brings strong financial acumen, a commitment to transparency, and a focus on professional development for our administrative teams.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or other related field.
• Multiple years of accounting or finance experience in a complex organization including management/oversight of multiple units.
• Experience supervising associates at various levels of engagement.
• Advanced knowledge of university mission alignment and entrepreneurial strategy, with the proven ability to lead change management, inspire team development, and cultivate trust across high-performing units.
• Expert-level skill in financial forecasting, budget planning, and data analysis, combined with the ability to produce high-accuracy audits and compelling policy documents that secure institutional funding.
• Exceptional ability to influence stakeholders and build consensus within a collaborative environment, underpinned by unwavering integrity, a resilient work ethic, and superior communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Related experience at an academic institution.
• Knowledge of university & college accounting principles.
• Skilled in using DASH or Oracle-based enterprise resource planning systems.

Responsibilities

• OFAO Team Leadership: Directs the Office of Finance, Administration, and Operations by leading and developing three direct reports and their respective teams and functions to ensure a culture of high performance, fiscal accountability, and adherence to university compliance standards while optimizing administrative efficiency.
• Strategic Fiscal Leadership: Develops and manages annual and long-range academic budgets, creating multi-year projections and BAM-based financial strategies to support enrollment and research growth.
• IT & Facilities Management: Directs the IT and Facilities teams to oversee capital planning, infrastructure investment, and the security of all college-owned labs and production spaces.
• Talent & Personnel Strategy: Oversees HR strategy in areas of recruitment, compensation, and staff development, serving as the final decision-maker on all key human resources initiatives and personnel actions.
• Executive Representation: Serves as the Dean’s representative on building task forces and university-wide committees, acting as a subject matter expert for campus leadership.
• Strategic Planning & Analytics: Develops sophisticated analytical tools to measure financial performance and advises leadership on the fiscal impact of new academic programs.
• Collaboration & Compliance: Partners with central University HR and Business and Finance offices to ensure unified priorities and strict adherence to mandatory regulations and audit requirements.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager