Assistant Director of Pre-College Programs and Strategic Initiatives - UTK

The Office of Pre-College Programs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) invites applications and nominations for our Assistant Director of Pre-College Programs and Strategic Initiatives position. We are seeking candidates who can contribute in meaningful ways to enhance the accessibility of higher education, fostering a diverse and inclusive academic environment, and improving the recruitment and graduation of our students. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been ranked by Forbes as one of America’s best large employers, as recognized on the 2025 list.

The minimum starting salary for this position is $59,332. Final compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

The Assistant Director of Pre-College Programs and Strategic Initiatives is responsible for the planning, coordination, and assessment related to our high school counselor strategic priorities; recruitment of students that participate in pre-college programs sponsored by the University; and for overseeing new strategic initiatives and projects that positively impact enrollment growth. The Assistant Director will work closely with the Undergraduate Admissions Senior Staff to identify and support the development and execution of department strategic priorities and initiatives. They will build and foster internal and external partnerships that lead to new collaborations and support existing and new initiatives to aid and accomplish the department's goals and strategic recruitment plan. As a key priority, the position will develop and lead a school counselor strategy focused on increasing impactful engagement with high school counselors. The Assistant Director will also serve as the liaison in Undergraduate Admissions to the colleges and other departments across campus in coordinating the recruitment of prospective students that attend pre-college programs at the University. In addition, the Assistant Director will work directly with the Associate Director Events & Pre College Programs on strategic initiatives that support our enrollment goals, increase efficiencies, and ultimately better serve key stakeholders. 

This position will report to the Associate Director Events & Pre College Programs, while working closely with all members of the Undergraduate Admissions Senior Staff in support of the department's strategic recruitment plan and other priorities. 

Required Education And Experience:

Bachelor's degree in business, management, communications, government or relevant disciplines. 

• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience.
• Demonstrated success at leading new initiatives and complex projects to achieve measured outcomes.
• Experience developing and managing strategic stakeholder communication efforts.

Preferred Education And Experience:

Master's or higher degree 

• 5 years professional experience, including demonstrated success in project management and change management.
• Experience managing high-stakes, visible projects within higher education.
• Experience leading and/or advising on change management strategies.

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:

• Ability to lead new initiatives and complex projects to achieve measured outcomes.
• Ability to manage strategic stakeholder communication and outreach efforts.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate, listen, create and build consensus around new ideas.
• Knowledge of PowerPoint, and other presentation tools.
• Ability to navigate, advise and lead change management.
• Customer service skills and student focused attitude and approach to project work and relationship building.
• Highly organized and detail orientated.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:

• Knowledge of enrollment management practices, including Undergraduate Admissions, University Registrar, Financial Aid & Scholarships, student services and higher education industry as whole.
• Ability to analyze data for the purposes of measuring program effectiveness and providing return on investment (ROI) summaries.

Benefits:

University of Tennessee employees are eligible for a comprehensive suite of benefits that includes:

• Generous paid leave, accruing up to 24 days of vacation and 12 days of sick leave annually, plus 14 paid holidays and administrative closing days
• Flexible work arrangements, offering a hybrid schedule to most team members
• Education benefits for employees and their dependents at UT System campuses
• Retirement and deferred compensation plans, including 401(k), 403(b), etc.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Employee discounts to attractions, services, and goods

The Division

The Enrollment Management (EM) division comprises more than 190 full-time staff who serve our students through the following departments and functions: Undergraduate Admissions, International Recruitment, Transfer Center, One Stop Student Services, Financial Aid and Scholarships, the Center for Financial Wellness, University Registrar, Pre-college Research Excellence Programs, EM Research & Analytics, EM Communications, and EM Operations. The Division of Enrollment Management is committed to our Vision, Mission and Values. We are passionate about fulfilling our land-grant mission of accessible education and making an impact that will transform lives through the student experience.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is the state of Tennessee’s flagship university and is classified as a Carnegie Research 1 institution. As a land-grant university and as Volunteers, serving our state and nation is key to our mission. UT enrolls over 35,000 students (more than 6000 graduate/professional students) at its Knoxville campus. Led by the example of our Chancellor’s Cabinet and their Principles for Engagement, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, builds and supports an inclusive community that provides opportunities to lead, serve and engage as Volunteers and citizens. We strive to create a welcoming community rich with diverse experiences. We seek colleagues who are committed to teamwork and have a passion for working with and serving all constituents. We especially seek candidates who have an ability to contribute in meaningful ways to the goals of the university.

The Knoxville Community: Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Knoxville has a metropolitan statistical area population of more than 850,000 people. We enjoy a dynamic culture that includes numerous theaters and museums, a vibrant and diverse music scene including a symphony orchestra and an opera company, world-class restaurants, numerous cultural festivals and an active downtown market square. Surrounded by lakes and the Tennessee River, the Knoxville area boasts wonderful year-round water activities, including boating, fishing, and swimming that make for scenic and breathtaking views of the area. Knoxville is located within easy driving distance to Asheville, Nashville, Atlanta, and the Great Smoky Mountains, and a day’s drive to Memphis, Chicago and Washington D.C.

For full consideration, applicants should submit a cover letter detailing relevant experience along with a resume and the name, e-mail address, and telephone number of three to five professional references. References will not be contacted without explicit permission of the candidate.

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!