The Jones Center for Leadership and Service strives to engage students in transformational learning experiences that inspire a commitment to leadership and service.
Position Description
The director of the Jones Center for Leadership and Service (JCLS) provides leadership and a strategic vision by cultivating a culture of leadership development and service across campus. While serving the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus as a consultant and content expert for interdisciplinary leadership and service education and community engagement efforts, the director works to build a strong national reputation for the university’s leadership and service initiatives.
A courtesy faculty appointment in Leadership Studies may be negotiated for exceptional candidates with a strong record of teaching and research.
Application Deadline
For best consideration, applicants should submit an application before March 28, 2025.
Work Location
Onsite/In-person: Knoxville, TN
Compensation
UT market range: MR15
Anticipated hiring salary is commensurate with education and experience.
Benefits
UT offers an extensive benefits package that includes comprehensive health insurance, retirement, paid time off, tuition waivers, and more.
Responsibilities
The director’s primary responsibility is to serve as the senior leader within the Jones Center for Leadership and Service team, providing operational oversight, strategic vision, leadership, and supervision to the staff while also maintaining positive, collaborative relationships across campus, the UT system, and the community. Responsible for the recruitment, selection, training, and effective supervision of 10 professional staff and 150+ student staff
Ignite is a signature program of the JCLS. Watch the Ignite video on YouTube.
- Strong partnerships with local non-profit organizations
- Strong campus support for leadership and general embodiment of the Volunteer spirit and creed
- The university is a large institution with students, faculty, and staff from many areas of the state and world. Engaging such a broad audience in service and leadership opportunities is a key component of the director’s charge.
- Responsible for the recruitment, selection, training, and effective supervision of 10 professional staff and 150+ student staff
- Establish goals, initiatives, priorities, procedures, risk management standards, and assessments for the unit
- Develop and foster interdisciplinary collaborative partnerships with campus partners as well as with community partners, non-profit organizations, and mutual aid agencies to create internal and external opportunities that enhance the academic and co-curricular experience of all Vols
- Serve as an administrative leader of the CliftonStrengths Campus Facilitation Team to assess campus-wide coaching needs and develop a network of coaches that support leadership development
- Coordinate with faculty and academic units related to leadership and community engagement to advance evidence-based practice, curriculum pathways, and research
- Oversee a comprehensive assessment program to evaluate student learning, student development, and stakeholder perceptions and review data for constructive improvements of programs and program organization ensuring consistent reporting, tracking, and evaluation of all department programs
- Serve as a member of the Division of Student Life Leadership Team
- Serve on the campus’s Disaster Relief Management Team and develop and review disaster relief management efforts and volunteer management plans
- Serve on and chair various university and community committees, commissions, and boards to support the leadership development and community engagement for all students at the university
- Develop and implement a strategic plan and direct establishment, implementation, and enforcement of department priorities, policies, practices, and guidelines
- Oversee the annual Leadership and Service Scholarship process, awarding $80,000+ in scholarship funds
- Direct authority to commit funds for leadership and service programming, planning, training and implementation
- Complete HR processes for JCLS staff including providing support, performance evaluations, professional development plans, and managing leave
Qualifications
Experience: 5 years of professional experience working in leadership development, talent management, and/or higher education administration with a commitment to the educational development and success of students; Experience successfully implementing leadership and/or service initiatives; Experience supervising/coaching/evaluating student and/or staff members; Experience in budget/fiscal management, assessment/evaluation, and working with campus/community partners.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Demonstrated knowledge and application of student development, leadership, and service-learning theory and research and their application to professional practice in higher education/students affairs; Ability to manage programs and design curriculum; Strong student advocacy skills of community building, relationships, and rapport with students and campus constituents; Ability to work and collaborate with internal and external constituents to foster positive/productive relationships; Strong interpersonal, listening, presentation, organization, and oral/written communication skills; Ability to demonstrate strong work ethic and initiative and make sound decisions; Knowledge of event and retreat planning, supervision and management; Ability to problem solve and incorporate mattering and belonging principles into decision-making processes.
Experience: 7 years of professional experience in the area of leadership and service; Administrative experience in program planning and student life at the college level; Demonstrated innovation, creativity, and strategic planning from the lens of leadership education; Experience in oversight/coordination and of leadership development and service programming; Experience in development/fundraising/stewardship initiatives and classroom instruction.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Ability to think strategically about the mission of the university and how the JCLS supports this from a macro- and micro-level; Direct coordination and oversight of leadership development and/or service programming; Specialized knowledge of working with academic units/campus partners/external community partners (ex: non-profit partners, mutual aid agencies, educational and government organizations, etc.); Experience in curriculum development and classroom instruction.
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- First-year students tend to plants at the UT Arboritum during an Ignite: 865 service excursion.
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- A first-year student in an apron and gloves stoops low to clean out square cubbies along a wall at The Muse in Knoxville during an Ignite: 865 service excursion.
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- A student smiles at the camera, surrounded by other first-year students as they tend to plants at the UT Arboritum during an Ignite: 865 service excursion.
About the Division of Student Life
The Division of Student Life is comprised of an outstanding group of professionals who create student-centered opportunities that contribute to a transformative Volunteer Experience. These opportunities allow students to grow their skills and knowledge outside of the classroom. From health and wellness to service and engagement, we provide opportunities where students exemplify the Volunteer Spirit, inspiring others to learn, lead, and serve.
Our departments provide essential services that support student success and future growth, fostering engagement, leadership, and wellness while enhancing belonging. Together, they create transformative experiences that help students achieve both academic and personal goals.
About the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
With over 225 years dedicated to education and research, and as one of the 100 largest employers in Tennessee, there is endless potential to discover at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. This advanced academic center comprises 17 degree-granting colleges and schools, 900+ programs of study, 547 graduate programs, and is home to over 7,500 employees statewide who support the continued growth of the state’s flagship land-grant university. The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Anthropological Research Facility, Space Institute, and the UT Institute of Public Service are acclaimed entities of the UT system and with nearby affiliate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Rocky Top is a university on the rise. UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset and with values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovative 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 that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs. Apply today and join the Vol Family for life!
Ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates”, “One of America’s Best Large Employers”, “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.
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.