The Executive Administrative Assistant serves as the trusted partner and primary administrative professional supporting the Vice Provost and Founding Dean of the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS). This highly visible position requires exceptional judgment, discretion, professionalism, and executive presence while serving as the central coordinator for the Dean's Office. The role extends well beyond traditional administrative support by anticipating needs, proactively managing priorities, protecting the Dean's most valuable resource, time, and ensuring the Dean's attention remains focused on advancing the college's mission, people, partnerships, and strategic vision.

This position serves as the Dean's trusted assistant on administrative operations and is a critical contributor to the continued success of one of the university's fastest growing and most innovative colleges. As the Dean's principal administrative partner, the Executive Administrative Assistant exercises independent judgment in managing competing priorities, coordinating complex calendars, preparing executive materials, and facilitating interactions with university leadership, faculty, staff, students, donors, industry partners, government officials, and external stakeholders. The successful candidate will think strategically, anticipate challenges before they arise, and ensure every interaction reflects the professionalism and excellence of the Dean's Office.

The ideal candidate is an experienced executive support professional with demonstrated experience supporting senior executives, preferably within higher education. This individual possesses exceptional organizational skills, emotional intelligence, awareness of complex organizational structures and operations, and the maturity to confidently navigate complex situations while representing the Dean with professionalism, diplomacy, and sound judgment. The successful candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, excels at managing multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously, and consistently demonstrates initiative by solving problems before they become obstacles.

Required Qualifications

• Education and Experience:

  • Bachelor's degree and 5 years of progressively responsible administrative experience or

  • In lieu of a Bachelor's, 7 total years of progressively responsible administrative experience

  • Experience supporting senior executives, presidents, vice presidents, deans, or other executive leaders

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Superior-level customer service experience required

  • Exceptional and professional written and verbal communication to various audiences including ability to draft high-level correspondence

  • Demonstrated ability to manage executive calendars involving numerous competing priorities

  • Outstanding organizational, planning, and project coordination abilities

  • Proven ability to anticipate executive needs, exercise independent judgment, and solve problems proactively with a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement

  • Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines in a growing environment

  • High degree of professionalism, emotional intelligence, diplomacy, and executive presence

  • Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise sound judgment

  • Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, calendaring systems, and collaboration technologies

  • High attention to detail

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

• Education and Experience:

  • Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree or more than 5 years of administrative office experience

  • CAP certified (Certified Administrative Professional)

  • Experience with Higher Education practices and UT policies and procedures

  • Experience with existing campus platforms: DASH, Canvas, Interfolio, Banner, etc

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN, UTK Campus

• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR08

• Anticipated hiring range: $55,000-65,000, depending on experience

• 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

To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before August 10, 2026.

About the College:

The College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is at the forefront of changing the future of higher education. It is a first-of-its-kind college created to meet the needs of students seeking a customizable degree path in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and data science that leads to rewarding careers upon graduation. CECS offers timely, innovative, student-centric degrees, minors, and stackable certificates at both undergraduate and graduate levels that address the future talent gap and expose students to experts and disciplines from across campus through a cross-cutting curriculum. CECS utilizes strong industry partnerships to ensure students gain relevant skills and real-world experience, offering for-credit internships and multi-disciplinary projects. CECS emphasizes the cohort experience where students learn and interact with fellow students from across campus and disciplines, allowing them to learn from one another and work together to solve real-world problems.

Who We Are:

We are a small team of energetic, adaptable, and hardworking individuals committed to educational initiatives that will lead to meaningful careers for our students and a positive impact on society. Every member of our team is a valuable collaborator, driven entrepreneur, and proficient multi-tasker dedicated to working together to find innovative approaches to achieving our shared goals. We are fast-moving and growing. Our work is constantly evolving to meet changing needs.

• Serve as the primary executive support professional to the Vice Provost and Founding Dean, managing complex calendars, priorities, travel, correspondence, and daily operations.

• Coordinate executive meetings, prepare agendas and materials, document action items, and ensure timely follow-through on strategic initiatives.

• Anticipate needs, manage competing priorities, solve problems proactively, and exercise sound judgment in handling confidential and sensitive matters.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the Dean's Office, building positive relationships with university leadership, faculty, staff, students, and external partners.

• Draft and prepare executive correspondence, reports, presentations, briefing materials, and other official communications on behalf of the Dean.

• Conduct research, compile information, and provide administrative support for strategic projects and college initiatives.

• Coordinate executive travel, reimbursements, financial transactions, and business operations in compliance with university policies.

• Manage logistics and hospitality for VIP visitors, executive meetings, and special events while supporting college-wide programs and initiatives.

• Oversee administrative resources, including conference room scheduling and reserved parking, while supporting efficient office operations.

• Continuously improve administrative processes and provide operational support to advance the mission and strategic priorities of the College.