Special Projects Coordinator - Center For Global Engagement

Special Projects Coordinator - Center for Global Engagement

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University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Center for Global Engagement

Special Projects Coordinator

Regular Full Time – Non-Exempt

UT Market Range MR6 expected salary $34,000 - $43,000

The Center for Global Engagement, (CGE), is hiring a Special Projects Coordinator to join a team of dedicated professionals who are committed to fostering global awareness and academic, personal and professional growth by offering a broad range of study, intern, research and service-learning opportunities outside the United States.

CGE is comprised of seven units (English Language Institute, the International House, International Student and Scholar Services, Programs Abroad, Communications, Global Security, Risk and Resilience, & Global Research, Innovation and Partnerships) who are responsible for working throughout campus, across Tennessee and around the world to provide enriching and diverse international experiences for faculty, students, and scholars.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) is Tennessee’s flagship university and premier public research institution. We are an R-1 land-grant university with approximately 30,000 students, 9500 faculty and staff, 11 colleges, and over 300 degree programs. There are more than 1600 international students and scholars on the UTK campus. The University is located on a 580-acre campus in the city of Knoxville in eastern Tennessee, near the Great Smoky Mountains. The University of Tennessee Knoxville campus is seeking candidates who can contribute in meaningful ways to the diversity and intercultural goals of the University.

The City of Knoxville is a hidden gem surrounded by eight gorgeous lakes, with a beautiful and walkable downtown, a diverse music scene including internationally recognized festivals, active neighborhoods, unique restaurants, and a robust offering of diverse cultural and outdoor activities. UTK is located within easy driving distance to the Great Smoky Mountains, Atlanta, Nashville, Asheville, Charlotte, Louisville, and Cincinnati. It is only a day’s drive to Memphis, Chicago, and Washington D.C. Knoxville and the surrounding counties have a population of more than 850,000 people.

Position Summary

The Special Projects Coordinator is responsible for the planning, coordination, and assessment of strategic priorities and new initiatives for the Center for Global Engagement. The Coordinator will work closely with the CGE leadership team to identify and support the development and execution of unit strategic priorities and initiatives. The person holding this position will build and foster internal and external partnerships that lead to new collaborations and support existing and new initiatives to aid and accomplish the CGE's goals and strategic plan. As a key priority, the position will develop and lead on-boarding for CGE and coordinate training and professional development programs for all CGE team members with the goal to support and further develop all staff in ways that align with division and university strategic goals and initiatives. The Coordinator will manage committees, focus groups, and student advisory groups that form new initiatives, streamline and improve service opportunities and advise on the global experience. The position will report to the Vice Provost for International Affairs as part of the central administrative office of CGE while working closely with all members of the CGE leadership team in support of the division's strategic global goals and other priorities.

Position Responsibilities

• Facilitates the planning, coordination, execution and monitoring of new initiatives aligned with the University's global engagement plan and vision for the Center for Global Engagement. Includes developing detailed implementation and project plans, budgets, implementation timelines, measurements and assessments, and preparing and presenting briefings for stakeholders.

• Communicates with CGE leadership, division teams, and campus partners to ensure project deadlines and budgets are managed and met.

• Builds and foster both internal and external partnerships that lead to new collaborations and support existing and new initiatives that aid to accomplish the division's goals and strategic plan.

• Supports the Vice Provost, Associate Vice Provost and Directors in organizing and managing committees, focus groups, and work teams related to specific projects and initiatives. Support planning and implementation of staff and division wide meetings.

• Conducts background research, composing briefings, and preparing special reports on a broad range of topics to help inform strategic initiatives.

• Coordinates high-level international delegation visits, complex travel for Global Hubs site visits and events, meetings, communication, documentation and recordkeeping, and follow-up activities.

• Supports student advocacy and outreach

• Assists CGE's efforts in planning large-scale campus events.

• Collaborates closely with the Communications staff in CGE on planning and execution of programming

• Works with budget office to manage and track CGE held research awards and scholarships for students

Education and Experience Required: Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 2 years professional experience including demonstrated success in leading new initiatives and complex projects to achieve measured outcomes. Experience developing and managing strategic stakeholder communication efforts; being an integral part of a dynamic and collaborative team operating in a fast-paced environment that requires a high degree of professionalism and confidentiality in handling sensitive information; working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds; working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and wellbeing.

Education and Experience Preferred: Master’s degree and 3 years professional experience, including demonstrated success in: project management, leading and/or advising on change management strategies, managing high-stakes visible projects within higher education.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Ability to lead new initiatives and complex projects to achieve measured outcomes.

• Ability to manage strategic stakeholder communication and outreach efforts.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, organization skills and detail oriented.

• Ability to collaborate, listen, create and build consensus around new ideas.

• Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and manage multiple projects effectively in a deadline-driven environment.

• Strong research skills: ability to synthesize complex information.

• Ability to collaborate effectively and communicate clearly and professionally with team members and colleagues across departments to achieve common goals.

• Knowledge of MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint, SharePoint, and other Microsoft programs to optimize data gathering and presentation capacity.

• Ability to serve as an advocate for individuals of all ethnicities, genders, ages, and backgrounds.

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

• Ability to interact effectively with diverse populations, including students, faculty, and staff.

• Skilled at maintaining a customer service driven and student focused attitude and approach to project work and relationship building.

• Ability to make well-founded independent decisions within their areas of responsibility.

• Ability to be part of an innovative team that values proactive and solutions-oriented approach to problem-solving and continuous learning.

• Ability to work evenings and weekends occasionally to accommodate collaboration across different time zones. Some international travel may be necessary.

• Knowledge of databases and the process of tracking performance of programs or grants.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred:

• Knowledge of study abroad and student exchanges, international research collaborations, and other international education activities.

• Knowledge of performance tracking databases for grants and programs.

• Skilled at conducting background research and creating research reports or briefings

Applicants should submit a cover letter, CV or resume, names and contact information for three professional references.