Assistant Director, Aerospace & Defense Division, Graduate & Executive Education: UTK

The Assistant Director for the Aerospace & Defense Division is responsible for managing tactical and strategic elements of non-degree education and program operations for the ADMBA (Aerospace and Defense MBA). The role identifies opportunities for program improvement, works with our customer base to recruit executive students, and provides close support of ADMBA faculty and students before and during class and cohort sessions. This position interacts with leadership across GEE and HCB departments, external customers & functions as a key intermediary with FIO, faculty, and students.  The position also supervises two full-time staff - one Program Manager and one Program Coordinator.

• Non-degree Program Strategy, Operations & Executive Student Recruiting
  • Independently analyzes, evaluates and selects courses of action for complex programming that meets customer needs. 
  • Develops strategies for cost management, achieving volume targets, and ensuring compliance with university and college protocols.
  • Provides leadership in direct recruiting of executive students and delivering successful non-degree programming in the Aerospace & Defense division within GEE, assists Executive Director with recruiting ADMBA executive students.
  • Provides leadership in identifying, developing, and maintaining strong relationships with corporate partners of GEE and HCB to ensure healthy class sizes
  • Supervises Aerospace & Defense Division Program Manager and Program Coordinator positions.
  • Works collaboratively with faculty and staff in GEE and HCB departments as needed to meet changing education demands of our customer base
  • Liaises with FIO and admissions offices as required to admit students to degree programs.
• ADMBA Program Operations
  • Provides management of ADMBA cohort operations during RPs 1-5 and travels with the ADMBA cohort   
  • Communicates with cohort executive and working professional students, providing updates on numerous onboarding activities, assignment due dates, tuition payments, international travel preparation, graduation requirements, and other program details/processes as necessary.
  • Works directly with ADMBA Executive Director and Academic Director to update curriculum and plans for next year's cohort operations. Assists program director with faculty pay for teaching services and contributes to positive faculty relationships
• Relationship Management
  • Cultivates strong, professional relationships within HCB, GEE and external resources required to maintain outstanding academic programming
  • Coordinates with program director with faculty pay for teaching services and contributes to positive faculty relationships. 
  • Communicates effectively and credibly with clients, faculty, and staff on the appropriate design, development, and delivery of programs and builds relationships with other internal and external organizations as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Education: 
  • Bachelor’s degree required with business emphasis or related field
• Experience: 
  • At least 7 years experience in an executive and working professional education, leadership development, or related environment.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 
  • Requires the ability to work independently in tactical and strategic areas of program development, execution and overall program financial management. 
  • Possess strong planning, coordination, and interpersonal skills. 
  • Requires building rapport with Aerospace & Defense leaders, GEE leaders, and customer executives at director, vice-president, and C- suite levels.   
  • Also requires business, financial and strategic acumen. 
  • Strong communication skills – both written and verbal. 
  • Ability to quickly build trusting relationships with all levels of leaders. 
  • Understands the interaction between corporate and academic environments.

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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: 
  • Master’s degree preferred in Leadership, Business, Adult Education, Educational Psychology or related field
• Experience: 
  • Project management certification or significant program/project management experience. 
  • Curriculum development experience and strong research background. 
  • Teaching experience at the undergraduate level and in training environments.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilitie