Special Projects Manager - Center for Local Planning (9658)

University of Tennessee; Nashville (TN); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Tennessee's Center for Local Planning (CLP) seeks a Special Projects Manager to lead non-routine and strategic initiatives. You will secure new funding, design statewide training, and manage cross-cutting projects across Tennessee in collaboration with the Institute for Public Service.

This hybrid role involves coordinating with federal, state, and local partners, managing budgets, and reporting to the Executive Director. Public service impact is central to the position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Public Policy, Public Administration, or related field.
• 7+ years related experience including at least 2 years supervisory experience.
• Experience managing grants and special projects in a state/local government, development district, or university context preferred.

Responsibilities

• Research, identify, and analyze potential grant and contract opportunities aligned with CLP's mission and priorities.
• Write and submit competitive grant proposals, including narratives, budgets, logic models, and supporting documentation.
• Oversee the full lifecycle of awarded grants, including compliance monitoring, financial reporting, and deliverable tracking.
• Design, develop, and implement a comprehensive training program for CLP's statewide stakeholders.
• Coordinate logistics for in-person workshops, webinars, and hybrid training events across the state.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Public Policy, Public Administration, or related field

Master's degree in Business, Public Policy, Public Administration, or related field

Job description

In this new position, the Special Projects Manager provides high-level project management, coordination, and technical support for non-routine and strategic initiatives of the University of Tennessee's Center for Local Planning (CLP). The position leads efforts to identify and secure new funding opportunities for the Center for Local Planning and fulfills relevant reporting requirements; designs and implements a comprehensive training program for CLP's statewide stakeholders, including cities, counties, and development districts; and manages cross-cutting projects that advance the Center's mission. The position collaborates with sister agencies within the Institute for Public Service (IPS), provides technical assistance to CLP field staff, and cultivates productive relationships with local government partners across Tennessee. The position will be hybrid in accordance with the University of Tennessee's Hybrid and Remote Work Policy.

Responsibilities

Grant Development & Funding Acquisition

• Research, identify, and analyze potential grant and contract opportunities from federal, state, and private-sector sources aligned with CLP's mission and strategic priorities.
• Write and submit competitive grant proposals, including narratives, budgets, logic models, and all supporting documentation.
• Create detailed budget proposals and perform financial analyses to assess projected expenditures against available funding.
• Oversee the full lifecycle of awarded grants, including compliance monitoring, financial reporting, and deliverable tracking.
• Prepare and submit timely progress reports, financial statements, and closeout documents to funders.
• Interact with federal, state, and local agencies regarding program guidelines, accountability requirements, and funding opportunities.
• Maintain a grants pipeline tracker and calendar of upcoming funding deadlines for the Executive Director.
• Cultivate relationships with program officers at key funding agencies to stay informed of emerging opportunities.
• Identify and recommend fee-for-service and earned-revenue opportunities that diversify CLP's funding base.

Training Program Development & Delivery

• Design, develop, and implement a comprehensive training program for CLP's statewide stakeholders (cities, counties, development districts, and regional partners).
• Conduct needs assessments through surveys, interviews, and stakeholder feedback to identify priority training topics and knowledge gaps.
• Develop training curricula, workshop agendas, instructional materials, and participant resources on topics such as land use planning, zoning administration, comprehensive planning, and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate logistics for in-person workshops, webinars, and hybrid training events across the state, including scheduling, venue/platform selection, registration, and materials distribution.
• Establish and maintain an annual training calendar in coordination with field staff and the Executive Director.
• Evaluate training effectiveness through participant feedback, pre/post assessments, and outcome tracking; use findings to refine programming.
• Explore and recommend technology platforms (e.g., learning management systems, webinar tools) that can scale training delivery and improve accessibility.
• Support the Executive Director in responding to research inquiries and technical assistance requests from state agencies, local governments, and other stakeholders.
• Partner with IPS communications staff and sister agencies to promote training opportunities and share resources.

Strategic Project Management & Stakeholder Engagement

• Assist the Executive Director with nonroutine, strategic, and cross-cutting projects that advance CLP's mission and statewide impact.
• Develop and manage project scopes, deliverables, timelines, and budgets for multiple concurrent initiatives, balancing competing priorities.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for designated projects with external stakeholders, including local elected officials, planning commissioners, and development district staff.
• Build and maintain productive working relationships with cities, counties, development districts, state agencies, and other partners to understand their needs and strengthen CLP's relevance.
• Oversee the development, formatting, finalization, and quality control of policy guides, planning documents, and regulatory materials produced by CLP.
• Work closely with field staff to prepare comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, and other regulatory documents on behalf of partner communities.
• Coordinate with IPS staff to ensure consistency in branding, layout, and presentation across CLP publications.
• Prepare progress reports, presentations, and briefing materials for the Executive Director and partner organizations.
• Lead collaborative efforts with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure project success and quality outcomes.

Management & Administration

• Supervise, direct, train, and evaluate assigned staff; provide hiring recommendations and support professional development.
• Ensure quality of work and timely completion of assigned tasks for subordinate employees; serve as a lead on cross-functional teams as needed.
• Marshal and deploy limited resources to achieve mutually agreed-upon goals and project milestones.
• Monitor and maintain project and program budgets; process transactions, reconcile accounts, and ensure financial compliance within assigned budgetary restrictions.
• Assist the Executive Director in coordinating with IPS agencies and staff on administrative and operational matters.
• Ensure that all forms established and required by the Agency, Institute, or University are correctly completed and that all applicable policies are followed.
• Contribute to CLP's strategic planning efforts, including annual goal-setting, workload assessment, and performance reporting.
• Maintain organized project files, grant records, and institutional knowledge systems to support continuity and accountability.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Public Policy, Public Administration, or related field
• Experience: Minimum seven (7) years related experience including at least two (2) years supervisory experience, preferably in a state or local government, development district, or university context. Previous experience managing grants and special projects required. Proven ability to work collaboratively with public agencies and community stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master's Degree in Business, Public Policy, Public Administration, or related field
• Experience: Experience related to land use or transportation planning in a local, state, or regional context preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Knowledge of and experience working within Tennessee's local government planning framework, including relevant statutes, growth plan requirements, and City, County, and Development District planning activities.

The Institute for Public Service (IPS) supports a formal Alternative Work Arrangement program currently in place. More information can be provided if candidate progresses through the recruitment process.

EOE