Assistant Dean of Partnerships and Economic Development: College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies - UTK

The College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) invites applications for an Assistant Dean of Partnerships and Economic Development (ADPED) to begin as soon as possible. The ADPED is a joint appointment between the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS) and the Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Development (ORIED), split 75/25 respectively. This role will report to the Dean of CECS and the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research & Director of ORIED. This incumbent is central to UTK’s mission of preparing students for the future economy through innovative programs, industry-aligned curricula, and immersive learning. 

The ADPED will serve in the Dean’s Executive Cabinet and lead the college to build and expand strategic partnerships, secure workforce development strategies, attract industry investment, and inform educational programs with emerging labor market needs. In addition, the ADPED will work collaboratively with ORIED to coordinate strategies to engage with chambers of commerce, the Tennessee Department of Labor, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, and other statewide organizations to ensure that CECS and ORIED are deeply aligned with state economic development and workforce strategies and can respond with agility to workforce demands. The ADPED will be responsible for hosting, evolving and growing the CECS signature event, Career Catalyst, and manage the numerous industry boards that inform and shape CECS curriculum and student experiences.

Leadership and Strategic Engagement

• Serve as the principal architect of strategic partnerships that connect CECS with industry, public agencies, nonprofits, and innovation hubs.
• Work within a campus-wide network of industry engagement and partnership development representatives to coordinate collaborative efforts that grow UT’s ecosystem of partners.
• Lead efforts to secure and grow industry investments in CECS programs, research initiatives, and student-centered learning experiences.
• Oversee and expand CECS’s signature Career Catalyst event, positioning it as a marquee talent showcase and networking platform.
• Build and manage CECS Program Advisory Committees and expand the Board of Visitors.
• Support the establishment of CECS Government Advisory Board.
• Seek and lead proposals for joint funding and grants.
• Liaise regularly with chambers of commerce, the Tennessee Department of Labor, and regional economic development organizations.
• Track trends and Inform CECS and ORIED leadership of state priorities and economic signals.
• Lead or support large multidisciplinary initiatives that support the research enterprise and align with the CECS mission. 

 

Program Development & Planning       

• Collaborate with CECS faculty on curriculum development.
• Shape and expand programs like RISE, PATH, and industry-driven projects.
• Identify internship opportunities and oversee credit bearing internship processes for CECS students.
• Lead and deliver on workforce development partnerships, establish MoUs, and monitor agreements for workforce development.
• Oversee capstone project ideas and industry connections for investment and mentorship opportunities.
• Co-develop and monitor success metrics for applied learning initiatives and workforce training programs.
• Partner with government agencies and workforce councils to enhance CECS training and curriculum initiatives.
• Support CECS Career pathway initiatives for future careers and serve as a liaison between CECS, K-12, community colleges and employers.
• Partner with government agencies and workforce councils.
• Participate in CECS major events. 

 

Partnership Management & Communication 

The Director will have primary responsibility for certain stewardship/fulfillment activities. This includes on-campus site visits by corporate leaders, and coordination activities with individuals covering a broad area (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Institutes, centers, colleges, etc.). As a Primary Relationship Manager on assigned relationships, the director will allocate time to support the needs of the company, and when appropriate develop and help set milestones, create meeting schedules, identify engagement teams and help direct the contracting process. The Director will also engage regularly with Center for Career Development internal and external stakeholders to ensure the working conditions meet the college's academic goals.

• Act as the relationship manager for strategic CECS-ORIED partners
• Maintain presence in regional business and policy communities.
• Collaborate with communication and advancement offices.
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