Administrative Associate - College of Communication & Information - UTK

This position serves as the first point of contact for the Office of the Dean, providing a welcoming and professional presence for students, families, faculty, staff, and visitors. The role supports the Dean’s suite through in-person, virtual, and telephone interactions, ensuring a positive and responsive experience for all stakeholders. Responsibilities include managing and directing inquiries from a wide range of individuals, including university and college administrators, faculty, staff, students (current and prospective), and external partners. The position exercises sound judgment in routing questions, providing information, and connecting individuals with the appropriate resources or personnel. In addition to front-facing responsibilities, this role supports administrative operations for the Office of the Dean, including logistical support for college-wide events, accounts payable functions, and travel reconciliation in alignment with university policies and procedures. This position reports to the Executive Assistant to the Dean and works collaboratively with the Dean, the Office of Finance and Administration, and other college partners to support the overall operations and mission of the College.

• Acts as the primary point of contact for the Dean’s suite, managing all forms of communication and welcoming a wide range of university stakeholders.
• Provides essential business support to the Dean and office leadership, including document preparation, scheduling, and office organization.
• Coordinates all department-level ordering, accounts payable, and travel reconciliation.
• Supports logistical requirements for college-wide events, including catering, venue preparation, and materials production.
• Ensures the professional appearance and functional readiness of the Dean’s suite and common areas through daily inspections and facility maintenance tracking.
• Provides administrative support for sensitive faculty processes, including tenure, promotion, and annual evaluations.
• Serves as a representative for the Office of the Dean, directing inquiries to appropriate personnel and stepping in to cover duties during staff absences.
• Other related duties as assigned by the Dean and Executive Assistant to the Dean.

Required Qualifications: 

• High school diploma with 1+ years of experience coordinating or managing a large office

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel)

• Strong attention to detail

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to prioritize work with time-sensitive deadlines

• Ability to interact with a diverse group of individuals

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of experience coordinating or managing a large office

• Experience in an academic environment

• Knowledge of UT policies

• Knowledge of UT ERP systems (DASH)

• Proven experience in handling confidential issues

 

Work Location: On site in Knoxville, Tennessee.

 

Compensation and Benefits: The anticipated starting salary for this position is $40,000 - $45,000 depending on the selected candidate’s experience, qualifications, and suitability.

Application Process: The anticipated start date for this position is as soon as April 6, 2026. For full consideration, applicants must provide a resume and cover letter. Finalists will be required to provide 3 professional references. All applicants must apply online to be considered for this position. 

 

The College: 

 

CCI is part of a Land Grant Institution embedded in communities to make those communities a better place. Our alumni, students, faculty, and staff strive to positively impact the lives of people in our state through our teaching, scholarship, creative work, and through our engagement and service. CCI as a college is well poised to deliver upon all of those areas to become the most nationally distinctive but locally relevant College of Communication and Information in the country.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service. 
UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy