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

University of Tennessee•Knoxville, TN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

Master's Degree
Minimum of three years’ full-time experience in higher education at time of hire
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

Nice To Haves

Higher education experience
Supervision experience
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

Responsibilities

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
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
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
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
Assist in planning, implementing, and staffing other departmental activities, events, and programs that are in line with the center's mission, including career fairs and major events, departmental marketing and community outreach
Participate in division activities that are in line with overall mission of Student Success
Hold membership and participate in professional organizations that are aligned with the center, division's and university's mission