Academic Program Manager Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN (NOW HIRING)

Job Description
This position reports directly to the Senior Director of Academic Operations and provides administrative and programmatic leadership for curriculum-focused initiatives. The role is responsible for guiding and supporting all academic operations related to new and existing programs which includes program development and revisions through the full proposal process.
The position collaborates across all units within CECS by leading and facilitating new and existing academic initiatives. In addition, the role supports the implementation and continuous improvement of academic programs to ensure alignment with institutional goals and regulatory requirements. The position also serves as CECS's primary liaison to the Registrar's Office, provides support for institutional effectiveness efforts, and implements all scheduling of course timetables.
Responsibilities
Curriculum Development & Program Approval

• Guides development of new programs and implementation of existing programs in alignment with state, university, and college-level approval processes while ensuring compliance with institutional policies and procedures.
• Maintains familiarity with the UTK, UT System, and Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) policies, procedures, and timelines related to the approval of new academic programs.
• Serve as a resource to college leadership regarding academic program development procedures and approval requirements.
• Conduct feasibility studies for proposed academic programs using the Lightcast platform, including labor market analysis, workforce demand projections, competitor analysis, and enrollment trend evaluation.
• Researches, compiles, and analyzes critical information and data to support program launches and assessments, ensuring accuracy and timely completion of deliverables.
• Assist with the preparation, coordination, and submission of Letters of Notification (LONs) and New Academic Program Proposal (NAPP) documents for new degree and certificate programs.
• Oversees workflow related to SACSCOC accreditation activities by coordinating accreditation processes, drafting and compiling accreditation materials and supporting documentation, collaborating with academic and administrative stakeholders to ensure compliance with accreditation requirements, and facilitating the timely submission of materials to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

Curriculum Workflow & Academic Records

• Administers the college's curriculum workflow by entering approved proposals into Modern Campus Curriculum (MC Curriculum), serving as the primary point of contact with the Registrar's Office for curricular matters, and coordinating proposal implementation to ensure timely and accurate catalog updates.
• Identifies and facilitates curricular revisions.
• Oversees the process for VolCore designation, provides direction and faculty support to complete applications, revises and submits the applications, and manages all communication with VolCore representatives.
• Serves as primary liaison for CECS with the Registrar's Office.

Course Scheduling & Operations

• Manages the college's course scheduling workflow by coordinating with academic and administrative stakeholders to develop, align, and submit course schedules in Banner 9, facilitating schedule revisions and approvals, and ensuring the accurate and timely publication of course offerings each term.
• Identifies critical issues including potential scheduling conflicts and provides solutions to resolve issues.
• Oversees daily academic operations and activities of new and existing programs.
• Sets priorities for managing and implementing new and existing programs.
• Assists in reviewing operating practices and procedures in areas such as workflow, reporting procedures, or expenditures for new and existing programs.

Graduate Admissions & Stakeholder Coordination

• Coordinates the college's graduate admissions process by serving as the primary liaison to the Graduate Admissions Office; manages application workflows in Slate, facilitates timely review of applicant materials by academic program stakeholders, monitors application status, and ensures admission decisions are submitted accurately and within established deadlines.
• Attends meetings, such as academic operations, campus units, and curriculum committee meetings, and provides administrative oversight and support.

General Administrative Support

• Supports events for outreach, recruitment, and retention to publicize CECS and its programs for both internal and external stakeholders as requested by the Dean, Assistant Deans and Directors.
• Support efforts in coordinating CECS signature events including Campus Catalyst and Career Catalyst.
• Support student events including orientation sessions, commencement, and other CECS-sponsored activities as needed.
• Provides data and resources on CECS programs to internal and external stakeholders, serves on campus committees as needed
• Maintains advisory boards members information and oversees its maintenance

Qualifications
Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's Degree required
• Experience: Minimum 2 years of experience in an academic administrative role or academic advising
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  
  • Effective project management and organizational skills.
  • Knowledge of developing programs and activities.
  • Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with all levels of faculty, staff, students, and families.
  • Ability to devise, develop, collect and analyze data and reports.
  • Solid experience in Microsoft Office products, including the ability to generate tables in excel, create presentations in Power Point, and generate professional documentation and communication in Word.
  • Demonstrate awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals with diverse identities and lived experiences.

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.
Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master's Degree
• Experience: 5 years or more of experience in an academic administrative role or academic advising
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  
  • Knowledge and prior use of UT internal software systems
  • Knowledge of html and other web creation and maintenance tools
  • Social media skills

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN
• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: 07
• Anticipated hiring range: $55,000-$65,000 depending on experience
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions
To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before 6/19/2026
About the College:
The College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is at the forefront of changing the future of higher education. It is a first-of-its-kind college created to meet the needs of students seeking a customizable degree path in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and data science that leads to rewarding careers upon graduation. CECS offers timely, innovative, student-centric degrees, minors, and stackable certificates at both undergraduate and graduate levels that address the future talent gap and expose students to experts and disciplines from across campus through a cross-cutting curriculum. CECS utilizes strong industry partnerships to ensure students gain relevant skills and real-world experience, offering for-credit internships and multi-disciplinary projects. CECS emphasizes the cohort experience where students learn and interact with fellow students from across campus and disciplines, allowing them to learn from one another and work together to solve real-world problems.
Who We Are:
We are a small team of energetic, adaptable, and hardworking individuals committed to educational initiatives that will lead to meaningful careers for our students and a positive impact on society. Every member of our team is a valuable collaborator, driven entrepreneur, and proficient multi-tasker dedicated to working together to find innovative approaches to achieving our shared goals. We are fast-moving and growing. Our work is constantly evolving to meet changing needs.
About Us
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!