Assistant Director of Project Management
University Of Tennessee College
The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Assistant Director of Project Management for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Reporting to the Director of Project Management, the Assistant Director of Project Management is responsible for the day-to-day execution of projects within Advancement’s Office of Communications and Donor Experience.
This intermediate level role will ensure that strategic communications and marketing initiatives—ranging from major fundraising campaigns to promotion of alumni and athletic engagement events—are planned, coordinated, and delivered on time and at a high standard of quality. Successful candidates will have a passion for clear communication and organized project planning and find reward in setting others up for success.
The Assistant Director of Project Management is responsible for the day-to-day execution of projects within Advancement’s Office of Communications and Donor Experience.
Required Education and Experience
The candidate who fills the Assistant Director of Project Management position is required to have:
A bachelor’s degree
3+ years of professional experience in project management, communications, marketing, public relations, or related fields
A working understanding of marketing and communications specialties (writing, editing, design, print production, web, social media, video/photo, news media, etc.)
A valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record is required due to travel responsibilities of the position. UTFI reserves the right to consider all appropriate circumstances. In general, any significant driving offense less than 12 months old will eliminate the application from consideration for the position.
Note - Candidates holding a graduate degree must have at least 1 year of experience.
Preferred Education and Experience
In addition to meeting the required qualifications, the preferred candidate will have:
Experience with project management software
Experience working in advancement and/or higher education
The ability to lead individuals who are not direct reports
A master’s degree
Self-motivation and high capability of working independently but also within groups
A highly organized, detail-oriented work style and ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously
A collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset and a commitment to advancing the mission of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Application Process: Priority will be given to applications received on or before March 18th via our DASH application system. Applications must include a completed candidate profile, cover letter, and resume. Candidates selected to move forward in the evaluation process will be asked to provide contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without explicit permission of the candidate.
When determining minimum qualifications, only information entered into the candidate profile can be considered. Please ensure your candidate profile is completed in its entirety as it relates to qualifying education/work experience.
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 visa status.
Questions about the search may be directed to hr@utfi.org.
Target Start Date: May 2026
Benefits: The Foundation’s greatest asset is our team. Foundation 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 one optional remote day per week
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
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The Foundation: The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that serves as the preferred channel for private contributions benefiting students and faculty within the UT System. With a vision of being one of the top-performing advancement organizations in higher education, UTFI is committed to enhancing the educational landscape across the University of Tennessee campuses.
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been advancing knowledge and enriching lives since its founding in 1794. Tennessee’s flagship public research university, UT Knoxville is a diverse community whose shared commitment to discovery, creativity, and education combines with a tradition of service and engagement to carry the Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. UT’s campus—home to more than 36,000 students and 9,000 faculty and staff members—is part of the vibrant city of Knoxville, located on the Tennessee River with the Great Smoky Mountains nearby.
The UT System: The University of Tennessee System is comprised of campuses at Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski, Martin and the Health Science Center at Memphis; the Institute of Agriculture; and the Institute for Public Service.
The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law.
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Project Leadership & Execution: Lead weekly project team meetings, including agenda preparation, facilitation, and follow-up tasks and conversations. Use knowledge and understanding of communications specialties (writing, design, web, social, etc.) to coordinate across the team and increase project cohesion, ensure clarity of responsibilities, identify risks, and prevent missed deadlines. Regularly review project setup and oversee active project timelines and dependencies to maintain alignment across communications initiatives. Ensure team members and partners are clear on the scope of work and have the information and content necessary to execute. Partner with the Director to structure and document complex project launches, organize mid-project support meetings, and participate in post-project debriefs to capture insights and improve future performance.
Process Improvement & Systems Leadership: Model and support best practices in use of project management software (currently Teamwork), encouraging consistent adoption across the team and providing training on technical usage to staff members. Recommend and implement refinements to project workflows, documentation standards, and tracking systems based on execution insights.
Stakeholder Communication & Partner Engagement: Ensure internal and external partners receive timely, clear updates on project milestones, timelines, and deliverables using tools such as Jotform, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams. Surface patterns, opportunities, and concerns that inform strategic partner conversations led by the Director.