This position serves as a key administrative operations support within the Tickle College of Engineering (TCE), reporting directly to the Administrative Services Manager (ASM). The position is responsible for providing direct administrative, operational, and event management support in cross-functional office areas. This role is the primary point of contact for TCE administrative units’ office's travel needs. As the primary point of contact for designated units, this role is responsible for managing complex assignments, performing high volume purchasing, and providing high-level administrative support to senior leadership, including but not limited to the Kao Innovation Collaboration Studio (KICS), Interdisciplinary Senior Design Program (ISD) and the office of Engineering Professional Practice (EPP). This person interprets policies, procedures, regulations, and rules and assists faculty, staff, students, and contingent workers in understanding these requirements. All duties and responsibilities are expected to be completed with minimal oversight or supervision.
Travel Policy Guidance & Customer Support
Advise on travel policies and procedures for assigned units, answers travel-related questions, and troubleshoots system issues by coordinating with appropriate university offices.
Stays current on policy and system updates, recommends process improvements to ASM, and communicates changes while supporting training and compliance efforts.
Fiscal Program Support (Designated Units)
Manages and supports fiscal operations including budget tracking, reconciliation, purchasing, accounts payable/receivable, payroll tracking, vendor setup, contract coordination, and compliance with university financial policies.
Event & Administrative Support
Provides broad administrative support including office operations, communications, visitor engagement, supply management, parking coordination, service requests, hiring support, meeting coordination, and student-related administrative tasks.
Coordinates and executes training sessions, program events, recruiting activities, and college-wide events while managing logistics, marketing coordination, and recordkeeping.
Required Qualifications
High school diploma with 6 years of experience coordinating or supporting a large office supporting executive leadership style roles, and a minimum of 1 year medium to large scale event planning experience
Or bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance or a related field with a minimum of 2 years’ experience coordinating or supporting a large office supporting executive leadership style roles, and a minimum of 1 year medium to large event planning and/or support experience.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong understanding of confidential issues
Analytical and strong attention to details
Sociable and welcoming to internal and external constituents
Dependable, flexible, and adaptable
Prior event planning experience
Must be able to multi-task
Proficient in Microsoft Office and ability and willingness to quickly learn and usesimilar new tools
Ability to interact with a diverse group of individuals
Excellent customer service skills
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:
Bachelor’s degree with5+ years of experience coordinating or supporting a large office, and 2+ years planning medium to large event planning and/or support experience.
Experience in higher education is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
Knowledge of UT policies.
Experience in an academic setting.
Ability and willingness to work and travel locally occasionally early mornings, nights, and weekends.
Work Location
Location: Knoxville, TN
Onsite
Compensation and Benefits
Application Instructions
To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments.
Resume
Cover Letter
