Project Coordinator - Tennessee Reading Research Center - UTK

University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department

University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department

Administration

Knoxville, TN, USA

USD 52k-54k / hour

Posted on May 7, 2026

Position will serve as Project Coordinator for a grant-funded project in the Tennessee Reading Research Center (TRRC) as well as support the business operations of the TRRC. This position will work with the Program Director to fulfill project deliverables, ensure timelines are met, process transactions, and keep documentation. The project involves evaluating the implementation and outcomes of literacy intervention for students in preK-12 school systems. This is a 100% grant / soft funded position.

The Project Coordinator serves as a key team member for a grant-funded project within the Tennessee Reading Research Center and supports the Center’s business operations. Working closely with the Program Director, this position oversees the collection and handling of educational and instructional data in accordance with project, IRB, and funding agency guidelines; selects appropriate approaches to monitor the quality and trustworthiness of data and related project resources; and identifies and resolves issues associated with data collection, handling, and quality. The role prepares progress reports on data tasks, ensures project deliverables are completed on time, conducts quality control checks on reports and resources intended for stakeholders or funders, mentors student staff assigned to the project, and coordinates with internal and external team members as well as other project managers. In addition, the Project Coordinator supports operational and financial processes by processing purchasing and travel transactions, tracking financial data, conducting initial ledger reviews for fee-for-service contracts, assisting with financial record keeping, and supporting proposals for new funding.


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’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!

Position will serve as Project Coordinator for a grant-funded project in the Tennessee Reading Research Center (TRRC) as well as support the business operations of the TRRC. This position will work with the Program Director to fulfill project deliverables, ensure timelines are met, process transactions, and keep documentation. The project involves evaluating the implementation and outcomes of literacy intervention for students in preK-12 school systems. This is a 100% grant / soft funded position.

Required Qualifications

  • Associate's degree in education, business, or related field with 3-5 years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
  • Skills in applying project management principles, methods, and practices.
  • Knowledge of preK-12 education.
  • Ability to plan, prioritize, and balance workload on concurrent projects.
  • Skills in financial management and processes.
  • Ability to develop and present clear, concise information to share with others.
  • Skills in solving complex problems.
  • Ability to collaborate and consult with others.
  • Ability to hold other team members accountable.
  • Strong organizational skills.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Advanced ability to attend to details.
  • Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Ability to use web-based applications for tracking data, information, and reports.

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

  • Certification in project management or teaching.
  • Knowledge of educational and/or reading research.
  • Knowledge of university policies and procedures.
  • Proficient knowledge of DASH or similar business management software.

Work Location

  • Location: Knoxville, TN
  • Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

  • UT market range: MR07

  • Anticipated hiring range: $52,000-$54,000 ($25-$26 per hour)
  • Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
  • Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments.

  • Resume

  • Cover Letter
  • List of 3 Professional References

About The College/Department/Division

The Tennessee Reading Research Center (TRRC) is conducting state-level evaluations of literacy initiatives as well as federally funded research to identify effective literacy instructional practices and improve the determination of students’ literacy outcomes. The projects are led by Professor and Director Dr. Deborah K Reed. The TRRC works with a dynamic team of professional and student staff as well as external collaborators from other universities, state education agencies, and school districts.

Additional Information on all postings provided by UTK


  • Overseeing the collection and handling of educational and instructional data within the project, IRB, and funding agency guidelines
  • Selecting appropriate approaches for monitoring the quality and trustworthiness of the data and any other project resources intended for preK-12 students, educators, research team members, and other stakeholders
  • Identifying and solving problems associated with the data collection, handling, and quality
  • Preparing reports of progress on data tasks
  • Ensuring deliverables are on time
  • Mentoring student staff assigned to the project
  • Coordinating with other internal and external team members
  • Processing purchasing transactions
  • Processing travel transactions
  • Tracking financial data and doing the initial review of ledgers for fee-for-service contracts
  • Assisting with financial record keeping
  • Conducting quality control checks on resources and reports intended for stakeholders or funders
  • Coordinating with other project managers
  • Supporting proposals for new funding