Reporting to the Extension Dean, the Director of Extension Operations serves as the strategic leader guiding statewide operational excellence and alignment with UT Extension’s long-term vision. This position provides decisive leadership and direction for Extension operations across 95 counties, three 4-H Youth Development Centers, Lone Oaks Farm, and three regions, ensuring cohesive execution of strategic priorities. The Director shapes and drives operational strategies, fosters organizational effectiveness, and advances workforce and program development to strengthen statewide impact. In collaboration with centralized university functions (e.g., HR, ITS, Facilities, Communications, Finance), this role establishes unified systems, policies, and decision frameworks that translate strategic vision into measurable results and sustained institutional success. Direct reports include 10 EESD staff members and 3 Regional Directors.

Screening of applicants’ credentials will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

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Reporting to the Extension Dean, the Director of Extension Operations serves as the strategic leader guiding statewide operational excellence and alignment with UT Extension’s long-term vision. This position provides decisive leadership and direction for Extension operations across 95 counties, three 4-H Youth Development Centers, Lone Oaks Farm, and three regions, ensuring cohesive execution of strategic priorities. The Director shapes and drives operational strategies, fosters organizational effectiveness, and advances workforce and program development to strengthen statewide impact.

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Required Qualifications:

• Education:

  • Master’s Degree in agriculture, education, Extension education, family and consumer sciences, organizational leadership, or a related field.

• Experience:

  • Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in Extension or a related educational organization, including supervisory experience.

• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

  • Demonstrated experience in strategic and operational planning, personnel and performance management, and budget oversight.

  • Proven ability to build effective partnerships with university units, county governments, and stakeholders.

  • Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

  • Knowledge of federal and university reporting requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education:
  • Doctorate preferred.
• Experience:
  • Experience as a Regional Director, County Director, or other senior Extension administrative role.
• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
  • Familiarity with Tennessee’s Extension structure, county-based educational delivery, and UT Extension reporting systems (e.g., SUPER).
  • Experience leading training initiatives and strategic HR-related programming.

UT Extension
308C Morgan Hall
Knoxville, TN 37996

Phone: 865-974-7476
Email: aaron.smith@utk.edu
Website: http://utextension.tennessee.edu

Work Location:

• University of Tennessee Knoxville

Compensation and Benefits:

• Starting Salary Based on Education & Experience

• Benefits: Group hospitalization and life insurance; State Retirement; Workers’ Compensation; sick and annual leave; numerous University of Tennessee and state benefits programs, including liberal time off for holidays, and longevity pay after three years of service; reimbursement for official travel. Find more information on UT Benefits here.

Application Instructions:

For best consideration applicants should submit the materials below

1. letter of interest,
2. a resume or curriculum vitae including a list of 3 – 5 professional references,
3. and official or unofficial transcripts showing degree(s) conferred.

About The College/Department/Division:

UT Extension provides a gateway to the University of Tennessee as the outreach unit of the Institute of Agriculture. It is a statewide educational organization, funded by federal, state and local governments, that brings research-based information about agriculture, family and consumer sciences, and resource development to the people of Tennessee where they live and work.

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Operational Leadership:

• Provide strategic leadership for statewide Extension operations, overseeing planning, performance, and continuous improvement across county offices.

• Partner with Regional Directors to advance institutional priorities through actionable strategies.

• Collaborate with university units to align resources, systems, and technology with organizational goals.

• Lead workforce planning and organizational design and supervise and develop high-performing teams aligned with strategic priorities.

Personnel Development and Staff Support:

• Lead UT Extension’s professional development, talent management, and onboarding strategies in alignment with workforce and organizational goals.

• Oversee staff development, county staffing and compensation decisions, and employee relations in collaboration with UTIA HR and Regional Directors.

• Provide strategic direction for the New Employee Orientation Conference to ensure an effective and engaging onboarding experience.

Organizational Communication and Liaison:

• Serve as a strategic liaison between UT Extension and UTIA, UTK, UT System, and key administrative partners, providing executive oversight of operational priorities.
• Represent UT Extension at the federal, regional, and national levels to advance policy, partnerships, and organizational objectives.
• Lead Extension’s participation in system-level planning, reporting, and administrative functions, and provide executive input on operational policies, risk management, and strategic engagement with county governments and executive committees.

Compliance and Oversight:

• Lead UT Extension’s compliance with federal and civil rights requirements.
• Oversee civil rights audits and use findings to inform policy and continuous improvement.
• Guide recruitment strategy and reporting to strengthen outreach, access, and organizational effectiveness.

Special Projects and Leadership Support:

• Represent UT Extension in regional and national leadership initiatives, providing executive guidance to the Dean and contributing to strategic decision-making.
• Lead statewide initiatives and special projects, including evaluation and accountability systems, aligned with UT Extension’s long-term goals.