Program Manager, Center for Renewable Carbon - UTIA

University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is seeking a Program Manager to design, implement, and review strategic projects aligned with CBS Alliance leadership priorities. This role coordinates strategic project work, stakeholder engagement, and event strategy across internal and external partners.

You will manage cross-functional teams, develop documentation, track progress, and optimize operations and travel/logistics.

Qualifications

• Education in a relevant field or equivalent combination acceptable by policy.
• Experience in program coordination, operations, or related fields in higher education or nonprofit.
• Familiarity with project management principles and common tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic project coordination and maintain documentation for decision-making.
• Design and implement projects aligned with CBS Alliance goals and identify gaps.
• Prepare status updates, reports, and presentations for leadership.
• Coordinate events and manage stakeholder communications and follow-up.
• Manage budgets, travel logistics, and internal/external meetings.

Skills

Project coordination

Operations management

Executive support

Stakeholder engagement

Event planning

Communication

MS Office

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Chemistry, Science Education, Science Communication, or related field

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Asana

ClickUp

Smartsheet

Jira

Job description

Job Description

The Program Manager will design, implement, and review strategic projects in line with CBS Alliance leadership priorities. This position serves as a central connector across strategic project coordination, stakeholder engagement, event strategy, operational improvement, and travel/logistics coordination for internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Strategic Project Coordination

• Lead the development and maintenance of comprehensive documentation and communication frameworks that support high-level decision-making across the CBS Alliance.
• Independently design and implement projects that align with strategic goals established by CBS Alliance leadership and proactively identify gaps or misalignments.
• Seek resources to support proposed projects.
• Prepare and present project status updates, reports, and presentations for leadership, synthesizing insights across projects.
• Develop a structured approach for timely project updates, ensuring fluid communication across the team.
• Provide informed recommendations on prioritization and resource allocation to support timely and effective project execution.
• Anticipate risks and implement mitigation strategies to ensure timely delivery of outcomes.
• Provide on-site coordination and execution support to ensure seamless delivery of projects.

Stakeholder Engagement and Event Strategy

• Serve as a primary point of contact for CBS Alliance events and engagements, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and priorities.
• Manage stakeholder communications and lead post-event follow-up to evaluate impact and inform future planning.
• Represent the CBS Alliance at meetings, conferences, and stakeholder engagements, liaising with internal and external professionals to ensure consistent messaging.
• Design and drive the implementation of existing and novel events, including decisions about event structure and engagement objectives.
• Manage an event database that tracks relevant data for event evaluation, longitudinal implementation, and strategy improvement.

Project and Event Management and Operational Improvement

• Implement project management tools and best practices.
• Facilitate accountability across collaborators by tracking progress and surfacing barriers to execution.
• Manage multiple projects and assignments independently or as part of a team.
• Use effective communication methods to foster interaction and collaboration across the University in support of the administrative goals of the CBS Alliance.
• Plan and manage internal and external meetings, both in-person and virtual, including room reservations, catering, parking, and technology setup, with careful handling of high-profile and sensitive engagements.
• Evaluate project and event implementation and develop operational improvements across the CBS Alliance.
• Manage project budgets from initial proposal through implementation and reporting.

Other Duties As Assigned

• Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external traveling stakeholders of the CBS umbrella, managing travel logistics, registrations, reimbursements, and ensuring travelers are successful during all aspects of events.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Chemistry, Science Education, Science Communication, or a related field relevant to project management. An equivalent combination of training and experience may substitute for education where permitted by University policy.
• Experience: 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in program coordination, operations, executive support, project management, higher education, nonprofit administration, or related fields.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Knowledge of project management principles and tools, such as Asana, ClickUp, Smartsheet, or Jira
  • Skill in organizing and managing multiple concurrent projects with attention to detail
  • Ability to analyze project documentation and identify strategic gaps
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Exceptional customer service approach
  • Strong personal initiative
  • Professional writing and proofreading skills
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Outlook
  • Professional integrity with a thorough understanding of confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience:
  • 3+ years of progressively responsible program or project management experience implementing project management tools and tracking progress
  • Experience supporting executives or senior administrators
  • Experience working in an academic environment
  • Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) and/or Certified Administrative Project Manager (CAPM) credential preferred.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Experience with software programs and tools used at UT or in other academic institutions, such as IRIS/Oracle, Cayuse/Huron, Concur Travel, 25Live, Taleo, or similar systems.

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
• Onsite. This position is not listed as eligible for remote work in the announcement template.
• Shift: First Shift

Compensation And Benefits

• UT market range: MR11, Administrative Professional 1
• Anticipated hiring range: Not provided in the position description.
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

About The College/Department/Division

This position is housed in the Center for Renewable Carbon and supports the CBS Alliance, which brings together the CRC, Convergent Research Initiative (CRI), BRIDGES NSF Innovation Engine, and the Biomaterial Governor Chair under a unified Circular Bioeconomy Systems umbrella.

About Us

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.

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