Partnerships Coordinator: College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies - UTK

University of Tennessee•Knoxville, TN

1d•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 provides administrative and operational support to the Office of Partnerships and Economic Development and helps connect college leadership, faculty, and staff with industry, employer, workforce, economic development, and community stakeholders. Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Partnerships and Economic Development, the coordinator combines leadership support—including presentations, communications, scheduling, and meeting coordination—with hands-on coordination of partnerships, programs, and industry engagement. The position tracks partner relationships, alignment with college priorities, and opportunities for deeper collaboration through partnership pipeline management, industry research, database administration, and coordinated engagement plans. The coordinator also supports workforce training and economic development initiatives, employer partnerships and applied learning opportunities, advisory boards and committees, partnership agreements, CECS events, partner communications, and reporting. The role maintains confidential records and organized systems while helping improve processes as CECS expands its portfolio of partnerships and programs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or four years of relevant experience in program or project coordination, external relations, workforce development, or a related setting.
Strong organizational skills and 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.
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

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 their interests with CECS leadership, faculty, staff, and programs.
Support partner identification, outreach, onboarding, continued engagement, and research into industry trends and workforce needs.
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.
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, and improve processes supporting partnerships and programs.
Manage partnership databases, ecosystem mapping, and pipeline tracking, documenting relationships, commitments, engagement levels, next steps, and opportunities for 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.
Track performance indicators and prepare reports on partnership activity and workforce and economic development outcomes; maintain workflows and tools to improve efficiency and responsiveness.
Maintain confidential records and organized systems, exercising discretion, initiative, and sound judgment.