Special Events Manager - Division of Student Success Strategic Programming

University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 58,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Tennessee, Knoxville is seeking a Special Events Manager to drive high‑impact programs from enrollment through commencement. You will coordinate with alumni, donors, VIP guests, and campus partners to create signature experiences hosted through the Senior Vice Provost Office.

Leadership, risk management, accessibility, and confidentiality are core to this role, with supervision of interns and collaboration across divisions to advance student success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred in related field.
• 3 years of campus event planning, alumni engagement, or high‑profile events.
• Ability to coordinate complex partnerships with diverse audiences.
• Strong event planning, communication, and confidentiality skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of event and special program development for the Division of Student Success.
• Coordinate with campus partners, alumni, donors, VIP guests, and stakeholders.
• Oversee planning, vendor relations, staff, and day‑of execution for events.
• Navigate VIP protocol, risk management, accessibility, and confidentiality.

Skills

Event planning

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Communication

Confidentiality

Student development

Stakeholder engagement

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

Special Events Manager - Division of Student Success Strategic Programming - UTK

Knoxville, TN, United States

The Special Events Manager plays a critical role in the development of major programs and special events from enrollment to commencement and beyond for the Division of Student Success and the Office of the Provost. The Manager leads the coordination and planning of high-impact programming initiatives for the Division, including recruitment initiatives, alumni and donor engagement, engagement of special populations, and signature stakeholder experiences hosted through the Senior Vice Provost Office.

Event Planning & Program Development

• Reporting to the Director of Strategic Programming, the Special Events Manager will lead in the oversight of all aspects of event and special program development (receptions, donor engagement, professional development series, speakers, recruitment programs, etc) for the Division of Student Success, including an expansive portfolio of high-profile, high-visibility events and cross-divisional partnerships.
• The manager will be the primary point of contact for divisional programs and signature events in partnership with collaborative units in engaging alumni, prospective families, VIP guests, and other stakeholders.
• The incumbent will work with campus partners (Office of the Chancellor, Student Life, Athletics, UTPD, etc.) to develop programs for special populations and strategic initiatives, and will manage all stages of the event planning process, including program development, vendor relationships, communication, staff oversight, and day‑of execution.
• The manager is responsible for appropriately navigating and planning for VIP protocol, reputational risk management, safety planning, accessibility, confidentiality, and complex vendor management in all events and programs.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as Programming representative partnering to lead event strategy for Elite Honors Recruitment committees.
• Lead Senior Vice Provost signature events, stakeholder experiences, and hospitality protocol for the Division.
• Collaborate across the Division and University as a key programming representative. Represent the Division as a liaison with various campus partners.

Supervision

• Supervision of student interns.
• Indirect supervision of student leader group.
• Assist with recruitment and selection of professional and student staff.

Assessment, Data, & Technology

• Conduct assessment and data analysis of office programs and publications;
• Participate in self-study and program review process w/ peer/aspirational institutions;
• Work with team to identify trends and suggestions for improvements to programs, publications, and event scheduling software.
• Contribute to print and online publications and website in collaboration with the division.

Office Responsibilities

• Contribute to shared program development in the office and committee work, including but not limited to materials management, assessment/data analysis of programs, student and staff searches, professional development, and expansion of programming.
• Attend all meetings and trainings.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s Degree
• Experience:
  • 3 years of experience working in the area of campus event planning, alumni engagement, advancement, or high-profile event planning.
  • Experience coordinating major events with university administrators, organizational leaders, and high-profile guests.
  • Direct experience coordinating complex partnership events for diverse audiences.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Event planning skills
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Demonstrated leadership ability
  • Proven superior work ethic
  • Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to maintain professional confidentiality
  • Commitment to the educational development of students
  • Ability to relate effectively with students, parents, alumni, organizational leaders, and other University partners as a representative of the Division

Preferred Qualifications

• Education:
  • Master’s Degree
    • Hospitality, Higher Education Administration, College Student Personnel, or Student Affairs related from an accredited institution
• Experience:
  • Certified Special Events Professional preferred;
  • 5-8 years experience working in event planning, alumni engagement, or advancement;
  • Management of high profile events on a college campus;
  • Experience with relevant technology programs (CRM, Survey software, etc.)
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Specialized knowledge of hospitality and event best practices

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN
• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR08
• Anticipated hiring range: $58,000 - $60,000
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

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.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!

EEO/AA STATEMENT / NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.

Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), ADEA (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the (EEO). Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the EEO office.