University of Tennessee
Director, HCB, Anderson Center (ACEI) - UTK
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States, 37955
Director, HCB, Anderson Center (ACEI) - UTK
Knoxville, TN, United States Job Description
The Director of the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (ACEI) serves as the strategic and operational partner to the Executive Director, translating vision into action across the Center’s programs, partnerships, and initiatives. The Director provides day‑to‑day strategic leadership for ACEI’s programs, systems, and operations, ensuring that the Center runs efficiently, delivers high-quality experiences, and achieves measurable impact aligned with its mission and strategic goals. The Director independently manages and executes the operations of the Center by defining, implementing, and revising operational policies and guidelines for the ACEI. This position plays a central role in leading and managing ACEI’s portfolio of student and faculty programs, competitions, accelerators, and community partnerships. The Director oversees staff and operations, builds scalable systems and processes, supports donor and external engagement, and ensures alignment between strategic priorities and execution. The ideal candidate combines strong strategic and operational expertise, data‑driven decision‑making, and relationship‑building skills, and thrives in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment. Responsibilities
Oversee design, execution, and continuous improvement of ACEI’s programs, workshops, speakers, and signature events, including, but not limited to: Startup Coaches, pitch competitions (including Vol Court, the Graves Business Plan Competition, and the Boyd Venture Challenge), Startup Studio, Meet the Founder, Founder Fridays, Startup Straight Talk, ACEI Fellows, etc. Develop, manage, and report on program timelines, budgets, staffing, and performance metrics. Engage with UT faculty, colleges, and research centers to expand entrepreneurship initiatives and interdisciplinary collaboration. Identify, monitor, and report to ACEI and HCB leadership the operational perspective on strategies, changes, and issues necessary to enhance the overall effectiveness of ACEI service to the student learning opportunities. Operations, Systems, and Impact Measurement
Serve as ACEI’s operational backbone, ensuring effective systems for scheduling, budgeting, communications, and performance tracking. Design and implement scalable infrastructure to support organizational growth and continuous improvement. Build and maintain data systems to measure ACEI’s reach, outcomes, and economic impact. Produce dashboards and impact reports to inform strategy, donor relations, and funding opportunities.
Strategic Planning
Partner with the Executive Director to develop and implement ACEI’s strategic plan, goals, and performance measures. Develop and execute data collection procedures, and provide operational insights to inform strategic initiatives, grant proposals, and university-wide entrepreneurship efforts. Identify and implement opportunities to enhance programs and improve impact.
Budget Management
Participate in annual planning, budget development, and reporting processes. Develops and administers budgets, ensuring appropriate classification of expenses, accurate forecasting, and compliance with fiscal policy. Oversee management and appropriate expenditures of funds for all program‑related events, services and operations.
External Relations & Partnership Management
Collaborate with the Executive Director and HCB Advancement to support donor cultivation, alumni engagement, and corporate partnerships. Design, implement, and oversee operations for ecosystem partnerships, including contracts, communications, and shared initiatives. Represent ACEI at high‑profile community and university events, public presentations, recruiting events, career fairs, ecosystem meetings, etc.reinforcing UT’s leadership role in the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications Education:
Bachelor’s degree required in Business, Entrepreneurship, Higher Education Administration, Operations Management, or related field Experience:
Minimum 5–7 years of progressive experience in program or operations management within higher education, entrepreneurship, innovation, or economic development settings. Proven ability to manage complex projects and multiple stakeholders while maintaining high standards of quality and timeliness. Experience supervising staff, managing budgets, and building efficient systems.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills. Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and maintain confidentiality. Ability to work effectively across organizational functions including marketing, administration, and executive leadership Ability to understand and navigate university entrepreneurship ecosystems including academic programs, research commercialization, and community partnerships Ability to implement process improvements and organizational changes while maintaining program continuity Ability to achieve program goals within budget and resource limitations through creative problem‑solving Ability to maintain high‑quality participant experience across all programs and touchpoints
Preferred Qualifications Education:
Master’s degree preferred in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Higher Education, or Public Administration Experience:
Experience in startup ecosystems, accelerators, or innovation centers. Demonstrated ability to design and implement impact measurement frameworks and use data to inform strategy. Familiarity with CRM systems, project management tools, and survey platforms. Knowledge of donor relations, alumni engagement, and advancement practices in higher education.
Work Location Location: Knoxville, TN Onsite Compensation and Benefits UT market range: 14 Find more information on the UT Market Range structurehere Find more information on UT Benefitshere Application Instructions To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. Resume List of 3 Professional References 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! Job Info
Job Identification 6292 Job Category Administrative Posting Date 12/18/2025, 01:00 PM Job Schedule Full time Locations 1000 Volunteer Boulevard, Knoxville, TN, 37996, US EEO/AA STATEMENT / NON-DISCRIMINATIONSTATEMENT 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 veteranstatus. 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 EEOoffice .
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Knoxville, TN, United States Job Description
The Director of the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (ACEI) serves as the strategic and operational partner to the Executive Director, translating vision into action across the Center’s programs, partnerships, and initiatives. The Director provides day‑to‑day strategic leadership for ACEI’s programs, systems, and operations, ensuring that the Center runs efficiently, delivers high-quality experiences, and achieves measurable impact aligned with its mission and strategic goals. The Director independently manages and executes the operations of the Center by defining, implementing, and revising operational policies and guidelines for the ACEI. This position plays a central role in leading and managing ACEI’s portfolio of student and faculty programs, competitions, accelerators, and community partnerships. The Director oversees staff and operations, builds scalable systems and processes, supports donor and external engagement, and ensures alignment between strategic priorities and execution. The ideal candidate combines strong strategic and operational expertise, data‑driven decision‑making, and relationship‑building skills, and thrives in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment. Responsibilities
Oversee design, execution, and continuous improvement of ACEI’s programs, workshops, speakers, and signature events, including, but not limited to: Startup Coaches, pitch competitions (including Vol Court, the Graves Business Plan Competition, and the Boyd Venture Challenge), Startup Studio, Meet the Founder, Founder Fridays, Startup Straight Talk, ACEI Fellows, etc. Develop, manage, and report on program timelines, budgets, staffing, and performance metrics. Engage with UT faculty, colleges, and research centers to expand entrepreneurship initiatives and interdisciplinary collaboration. Identify, monitor, and report to ACEI and HCB leadership the operational perspective on strategies, changes, and issues necessary to enhance the overall effectiveness of ACEI service to the student learning opportunities. Operations, Systems, and Impact Measurement
Serve as ACEI’s operational backbone, ensuring effective systems for scheduling, budgeting, communications, and performance tracking. Design and implement scalable infrastructure to support organizational growth and continuous improvement. Build and maintain data systems to measure ACEI’s reach, outcomes, and economic impact. Produce dashboards and impact reports to inform strategy, donor relations, and funding opportunities.
Strategic Planning
Partner with the Executive Director to develop and implement ACEI’s strategic plan, goals, and performance measures. Develop and execute data collection procedures, and provide operational insights to inform strategic initiatives, grant proposals, and university-wide entrepreneurship efforts. Identify and implement opportunities to enhance programs and improve impact.
Budget Management
Participate in annual planning, budget development, and reporting processes. Develops and administers budgets, ensuring appropriate classification of expenses, accurate forecasting, and compliance with fiscal policy. Oversee management and appropriate expenditures of funds for all program‑related events, services and operations.
External Relations & Partnership Management
Collaborate with the Executive Director and HCB Advancement to support donor cultivation, alumni engagement, and corporate partnerships. Design, implement, and oversee operations for ecosystem partnerships, including contracts, communications, and shared initiatives. Represent ACEI at high‑profile community and university events, public presentations, recruiting events, career fairs, ecosystem meetings, etc.reinforcing UT’s leadership role in the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications Education:
Bachelor’s degree required in Business, Entrepreneurship, Higher Education Administration, Operations Management, or related field Experience:
Minimum 5–7 years of progressive experience in program or operations management within higher education, entrepreneurship, innovation, or economic development settings. Proven ability to manage complex projects and multiple stakeholders while maintaining high standards of quality and timeliness. Experience supervising staff, managing budgets, and building efficient systems.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills. Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and maintain confidentiality. Ability to work effectively across organizational functions including marketing, administration, and executive leadership Ability to understand and navigate university entrepreneurship ecosystems including academic programs, research commercialization, and community partnerships Ability to implement process improvements and organizational changes while maintaining program continuity Ability to achieve program goals within budget and resource limitations through creative problem‑solving Ability to maintain high‑quality participant experience across all programs and touchpoints
Preferred Qualifications Education:
Master’s degree preferred in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Higher Education, or Public Administration Experience:
Experience in startup ecosystems, accelerators, or innovation centers. Demonstrated ability to design and implement impact measurement frameworks and use data to inform strategy. Familiarity with CRM systems, project management tools, and survey platforms. Knowledge of donor relations, alumni engagement, and advancement practices in higher education.
Work Location Location: Knoxville, TN Onsite Compensation and Benefits UT market range: 14 Find more information on the UT Market Range structurehere Find more information on UT Benefitshere Application Instructions To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. Resume List of 3 Professional References 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! Job Info
Job Identification 6292 Job Category Administrative Posting Date 12/18/2025, 01:00 PM Job Schedule Full time Locations 1000 Volunteer Boulevard, Knoxville, TN, 37996, US EEO/AA STATEMENT / NON-DISCRIMINATIONSTATEMENT 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 veteranstatus. 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 EEOoffice .
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