Assistant Director STAR Team - Enrollment Management - UTK

University of Tennessee; Knoxville (TN); Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Tennessee, Knoxville is seeking an Assistant Director for the STAR Team within the Office of Visitor Center, Enrollment Management. The role leads student leadership programs, builds partnerships, and expands access initiatives to recruit and engage prospective students.

The position emphasizes strategic planning, mentorship, and collaboration across campus to improve access and enrollment outcomes. It offers on-campus duties with flexible hybrid/remote scheduling.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Two years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, student affairs, admissions, enrollment management, student leadership, event management, community engagement, or a related field.
• Experience supervising student employees or student leaders.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the STAR Team student leadership program.
• Recruitment, onboarding, training, leadership development, scheduling, supervision, and performance coaching for STAR Team.
• Develop annual goals and assessment plans aligning STAR Team with Enrollment Management priorities.
• Expand STAR Team's impact through innovative programming and campus partnerships.
• Mentor student leaders and cultivate future leaders within Vol Corps.
• Lead partnerships with Undergraduate Admissions, Regional Recruiters, Access & Engagement, Pre-College Programs, and K-12 partners.
• Plan and implement access-focused campus visit experiences (Middle School Tours, CBO visits, etc.).
• Establish standardized operational models and annual schedules for group tours and access programs.
• Coordinate STAR Team recruitment initiatives and VIP/group experiences with Guest Relations & Group Experiences.
• Develop new programming to connect prospective students with current Volunteers.
• Provide leadership for signature engagement initiatives like Rocky Top Home Sweet Home.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Recruitment

Onboarding

Training

Coaching

Scheduling

Mentoring

Assessment

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The Office of Visitor Center in Enrollment Management at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) invites applications and nominations for our Assistant Director- STAR Team position. We are seeking candidates who can contribute in meaningful ways to enhance the accessibility of higher education, fostering a diverse and inclusive academic environment, and improving the recruitment and graduation of our students. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been ranked by Forbes as one of America's best large employers, as recognized on the 2026 list.

The minimum starting salary for this position is $60,000. Final compensation will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.

This is an on-campus position with some hybrid/remote work schedule flexibility.

Leadership & Program Management

Provide strategic leadership, vision, and oversight for the STAR Team student leadership program by fostering a culture of professionalism, service, and student development.

• Recruitment and selection
• Hiring and onboarding
• Training and leadership development
• Scheduling and supervision
• Coaching and performance management
• Recognition and retention
• Assessment and continuous improvement

Develop annual goals, strategic initiatives, and assessment plans that align STAR Team with VolCorps and Enrollment Management priorities and the University's mission.

Identify opportunities to expand STAR Team's impact through innovative programming, student leadership development, and campus partnerships.

Provide ongoing mentorship to student leaders while cultivating future leaders within Vol Corps.

Access Initiatives & Strategic Partnerships

Serve as the primary Visitors Center liaison with Access & Engagement and lead collaborative initiatives that expand educational access and recruitment opportunities.

Develop and maintain partnerships with:

• Undergraduate Admissions
• Regional Recruiters
• Access & Engagement
• Pre-College Programs
• Academic Colleges
• Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)
• K-12 school partners
• Campus departments supporting recruitment and outreach

Lead the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of access-focused campus visit experiences including:

• Middle School Tours
• Community-Based Organization (CBO) visits
• Access-focused recruitment events
• Special population visit programs
• Flagship recruitment experience

Establish standardized operational models and annual schedules for group tours and access programs while ensuring consistent, high-quality visitor experiences.

Recruitment Programs & Student Engagement

Provide leadership and operational oversight for STAR Team's participation in recruitment initiatives that enhance the prospective student experience.

Coordinate and oversee student involvement in:

• Flagship recruitment programs
• Student Lunch Connections
• Information Sessions
• VIP campus visits
• Group tours
• Recruitment yield events
• Special enrollment initiatives
• Pre-College Programs
• Verto Vols programming (as applicable)

Partner with the Assistant Director for Guest Relations & Group Experiences to support VIP guests, community partners, and specialized group experiences.

Develop new programming that creates authentic connections between prospective students and current Volunteers.

Community Outreach & Signature Initiatives

Provide leadership for STAR Team signature engagement initiatives that extend the University’s recruitment efforts beyond campus.

Serve as program owner for the Rocky Top Home Sweet Home initiative by:

• Developing annual program goals
• Creating training materials
• Establishing participation expectations
• Coordinating communications
• Assessing program outcomes

Prepare STAR Team members and other Vol Corps ambassadors to serve as University representatives while home during fall, winter, and spring breaks by engaging prospective students, families, schools, and communities through authentic storytelling and outreach.

Identify and develop additional community engagement initiatives that support the University's access mission.

Assessment, Reporting & University Service

Develop and maintain assessment measures for STAR Team initiatives using participation data, student feedback, recruitment outcomes, and program evaluations.

Prepare reports that measure program effectiveness and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Support Visitors Center operations and Enrollment Management priorities through participation in university committees, strategic initiatives, recruitment events, and division-wide programs.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Two years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, student affairs, admissions, enrollment management, student leadership, event management, community engagement, or a related field.
• Experience supervising student employees or student leaders.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to in