Senior Program Director Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN (NOW HIRING)

The Program Administrator, IBEP & IED serves as the assistant to the Director of the Heath Integrated Business & Engineering Program (Heath IBEP) and the assistant to the Edwards Assistant Dean and Director of Integrated Engineering Design (IED). This position is responsible for coordinating and supporting the daily operations of the office, including organizing and leading special and recurring projects and coordinating programs and events. Heath IBEP is an integrated program between the Tickle College of Engineering and the Haslam College of Business, which requires additional communication and coordination across both colleges.
Responsibilities
Program Coordination & Support (30%)
Serve as a primary representative of the programs to faculty, staff, students, parents, university partners, and other stakeholders. Track program metrics, maintain records, and use systems like Navigate, Banner, Slate, and Qualtrics to support data-driven reporting. Partner across teams to keep admissions, scholarships, and communications running smoothly, while continuously identifying ways to improve program operations.
Annual Recruitment (25%)
Own the recruitment calendar and materials from start to finish - coordinating classroom visits, info sessions, and candidate interviews alongside a student-led recruitment team. Manage the full applicant lifecycle, from scheduling interviewers to sending acceptance and decline notifications.
Event & Activity Planning (25%)
Bring program events to life, from kickoffs and senior design showcases to advisory council meetings and guest speaker visits. Handle logistics end-to-end - venues, catering, invitations, budgets - and serve as the go-to liaison for guests and participants on event day.
Finance & Operational Support (20%)
Provide fiscal and purchasing support, including expense reconciliation and reporting while adhering to policy. Manage calendars, travel arrangements, and communications for program directors, and keep program inboxes, phone lines, and recurring meetings running smoothly. Provide backup supervision for student employees, and support college-wide administrative needs as they arise.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications

• Education and Experience:
  • High school diploma with minimum of 5 years of experience supporting a large office or in program management in an office environment, and a minimum of 1 year medium to large scale events and/or support experience;
  • Or bachelor's degree and a minimum of 3 years' experience coordinating or managing a large office or in program management in an office environment, and a minimum of 1 year medium to large scale event planning experience.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Ability to exercise sound judgment
  • Ability to learn and use a variety of software systems
  • Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills, customer service skills, and ability to interact with a diverse group of individuals
  • Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office products, especially Outlook, Work, Excel, Teams, and Share Point
  • Flexible, adaptable, and dependable
  • Must be able and willing to work and travel locally for occasional early mornings, nights, and weekends
  • Must be able to multi-task multi-competition deadlines
  • Professional attitude and demeanor
  • Strong administrative skills, including excellent analytical, written and verbal communication, and organizational skills
  • Strong understanding of confidential issues
  • Strong understanding of working in administrative support role for academic leadership
  • Time management, organizational skills, and attention to detail
  • Skilled in Microsoft Office 365, Google Applications, and Adobe Acrobat

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

• Experience:
  • Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) or Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification,
  • Program Management Professional (PgMP), or ability to obtain.
  • Experience working in higher education and with students.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Knowledge of UT policies, programs, and systems
  • Knowledge of UT Computer Programs such as IRIS, Banner, Grades First, and Canvas
  • Strong organizational and project management skills
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office and survey applications such as Qualtrics, Survey Monkey, etc.

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville
• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR09
• Anticipated hiring range: $58,000 - $63,000
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions
For full consideration, applicants must electronically submit a letter of interest, resume, and the name, address, email, and phone number of three professional references.

• Resume
• Cover Letter

About The Department
The Integrated Engineering Design Kao Innovation & Collaboration Studio aims to provide resources to students in the form of technology, tools, and knowledge in order to help them materialize their ideas. Here, students can turn their ideas into projects, and through collaboration with staff and other students these projects will become reality. The Kao ICS is student-led with staff ready to help you create everything from 3D printing parts to programming microcontrollers.
The Heath Integrated Business and Engineering program unites students and knowledge in two of UT's outstanding academic colleges, the Tickle College of Engineering and Haslam College of Business. The program pairs an industry-focused curriculum with immersive, professional, co-curricular experiences to graduate leaders with a comprehensive, systems-thinking approach to breaking down silos and solving challenges. In short, graduates will understand the intersections between business and engineering, bringing depth and value to both fields from day one.
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!