Partnerships Coordinator: College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies - UTK

University of Tennessee • Knoxville, IA

13h • Onsite

About The Position

The Partnerships Coordinator supports the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS) by advancing strategic partnerships, strengthening industry connections, and expanding opportunities for students. The role connects college leadership, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders to develop collaborations that support workforce development, inform programs, and contribute to economic development.

Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Partnerships and Economic Development, the coordinator provides administrative and operational support to the Office of Partnerships and Economic Development. Responsibilities combine leadership support—such as preparing presentations and communications, scheduling, and coordinating meetings—with hands-on coordination and management of partnerships, programs, and industry engagement.

The coordinator tracks the college’s partnership ecosystem, including partner engagement, relationship status, alignment with college priorities, and opportunities for deeper collaboration. Through partnership pipeline management, industry research, database administration, and coordinated engagement plans, the role helps move relationships from initial contact to sustained strategic partnerships and supports the processes and follow-through needed as CECS grows.

Requirements

• 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.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without needing employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate relationships with industry, employer, workforce, economic development, and community partners, connecting partner interests with CECS leadership, faculty, staff, and programs.
• Support partner identification, outreach, onboarding, and ongoing engagement; research industry trends and workforce needs to identify collaboration opportunities.
• 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 by coordinating opportunities, introductions, evaluations, and participation tracking with appropriate staff.
• Manage calendars, agendas, meeting logistics, and follow-up.
• Prepare presentations, briefing materials, correspondence, and reports.
• 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.
• 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 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 and 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.

Benefits

• Career development and coaching.
• Continued education.
• Development and training opportunities.
• The university describes its employee values as focusing on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership.

What This Job Offers

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