Director of Systemwide Student Wellness - Academic Affairs, Research and Student Success - UT System Administration

The Director of Student Wellness provides leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for systemwide student wellness initiatives that advance the well-being and success of students across the University of Tennessee System’s campuses and institutes. The director develops and implements, in partnership with the Chief Wellness Officer, a comprehensive, coordinated vision for wellness that supports all 8 dimensions of wellness (i.e., physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, occupational, financial, and environmental).

The director collaborates with campus and system leaders, faculty, staff, and external partners to embed wellness as a core element of the student experience and culture. This position is responsible for collaboration on systemwide goals, supervising students and staff as UT Wellness grows, and, among other key activities, mapping the campus wellness ecosystem and then addressing gaps and opportunities that drive improved outcomes. The focus areas include but are not limited to systemwide contract and tools, new and updated policies, creating scalable and also tailored educational and outreach content, planning and executing educational and training events, and developing and implementing strategic initiatives targeted advance systemwide goals. The role requires expertise and experience in wellness education, independent discretion, creative problem-solving, the ability to manage change and political complexity, and use significant judgment to achieve results.

Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Systemwide Wellness Leadership:

Provide system-wide leadership and coordination of student wellness initiatives across all UT campuses and institutes. Work in collaboration with the Chief Wellness Officer to develop and implement a shared strategic vision for student wellness systemwide, including identifying common priorities, elevating and implementing best practices - tailored to each campus as need, and opportunities for collaboration and information sharing improve wellness outcomes. This work will include conducting thorough and ongoing needs assessments, mapping the wellness ecosystem across the 5 campuses (and comparing those results to peer and aspirational institutions), and creating a robust student wellness data, assessment, and reporting plan that will inform both systemwide and campus-based initiatives to drive positive outcomes.

Systemwide Outreach and Education:

Oversee efforts for systemwide student outreach and education, that would both complement and elevate campus-based efforts. This would include the development, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive student programming.

Systemwide Wellness Initiatives:

Evaluates and directs day-to-day operations, in collaboration with the chief wellness officer, of the UT System's strategic student wellness strategic initiatives and ensures they are in line with the mission and vision of the office and the chief wellness officer's annual goals. The director will work closely with campus leaders, facilitating relevant committees, working groups, and strategic meetings to carry out these initiatives.

Systemwide partnerships and strategic communication and reporting:

Collaborate with relevant university and system coalitions and committees and serve as a liaison with campus/community resources at local, state, and national levels. Establish and maintain a coordinated, strategic partnership between key campus and community stakeholders. Disseminate information on the work and progress of UT Wellness at local, regional, and national meetings and conferences, including preparation of needed materials for the UT Board of Trustees and for the yearly “UT System State of Wellness" report. Help lead, and chair, when necessary, the UT System's Mental Health Collaborative - a standing committee of wellness leaders from each campus, and other relevant systemwide working groups. Select, advice and provide leadership for the UT System Student Wellness Advisory Council - a council made up of at least 2 undergraduate and 2 graduate student representatives from each campus.

Supervision:

Supervise, train, mentor, and hire student employees, staff (when applicable), and volunteers engaged in system-level wellness initiatives (including councils and working groups) contributing to the overall growth and sustainability of UT Wellness. Provide performance management, training, and professional development opportunities to strengthen the capacity of wellness programs across the system.

Masters degree in Public Health, Health Education, Social Work, Behavioral Sciences or related field and a minimum of three years of experience in education or closely related setting

Additional skills, experiences, and qualifications include:

Knowledge of health promotion, prevention, social change models/principles, mental health, crisis, threat assessment, suicide prevention and postvention, opioid overdose and prevention; Knowledge of evidenced based initiatives in higher education for wellness; Outstanding communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills; Demonstrated skills to deal effectively with and build collaborative relationships with all constituents (students, faculty, administration, University staff and other members of the UT system and surrounding community); Strong interpersonal skills, including diplomacy, tact and political savvy; Demonstrated ability in presentation, both oral and written; Display sensitivity to diversity and multicultural issues; Demonstrated ability to positively and effectively lead and facilitate campus and community partnerships; Demonstrated skill and previous experience in event planning, teaching, research, project management, and supervising staff or students. Ability to be flexible, transparent, and a self-starter (this is the first role of its kind); Ability to enhance the visibility and public image of the University and be a leader within the UT System and the state of Tennessee; Ability to maintain confidentiality; Demonstrated ability to think creatively to solve complex challenges; Demonstrated high-level skills in problem-solving and change management; Ability to communicate and collaborate with various offices (academic and non-academic) across the University; Demonstrated knowledge, skill, and abilities with office technology and software (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, scanning, printers, etc); Ability to work independently and with a high-performing team to meet priorities and deadlines; Ability to work in a diverse and collaborative environment; Skills to lead and manage personnel consistently and uniformly in complex and personal situations; Demonstrated ability to motivate teams to meet service and professional development goals.

Preferred Qualifications

Doctoral Degree and supervisory experience with relationship to mental health, outreach/promotion, or similar services; Experience in an educational environment or closely related setting; Previous awareness or work within a system and not just a campus

Additional skills, experiences, and qualifications include:

Demonstrated skills and ability in social media and branding; Skills in assessment methods; Ability to develop strategic plan and implement assessment strategies and reports; Strong analytical skills and the ability to solve complex problems and interpret policy accurately; Ability to use technology in support of training and communication to a wide variety of constituencies; Ability to manage change effectively and build teams to collaborate with university stakeholders; Ability to handle multiple projects and respond effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Application Process
For full consideration, applications should be accompanied by a letter of interest, a resume, and three professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately.

Benefits and Compensation
Compensation for the position is budgeted $80,000 to $100,000.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits and much more. Additionally, Tennessee residents do not pay a state income tax. For more information on the University of Tennessee’s benefits, visit https://hr.tennessee.edu/benefits/