Vice President, Institute for Public Service

In 2026, the University of Tennesseeestablishedthe Division of Government Relations, Economic Development and Public Service (GEPS), bringing together government relations, advocacy, economic development, and the Institute for Public Service (IPS) under a unified structure. This alignment is designed to strengthen coordination, deepen partnerships, and deliver more integrated, solutions-oriented support to communities, government partners, and industries across Tennessee.

IPS serves business and government to improve the lives of Tennesseans. With offices statewide, IPS is the parent organization for agencies providing technical consulting and training to state and local government, law enforcement, and business and industry — staffed by expert consultants and trainers who generate billions of dollars in economic impact each year.

Through GEPS, IPS’s deep expertise in government training and technical assistance is united with public policy support, advocacy, and economic development into a cohesive statewide effort. Read more about GEPS.

The UT Systemseeksan innovative, collaborative, and experienced leader to serve as vice president for IPS. Reporting to the senior vice president for Government Relations, EconomicDevelopment and Public Service and serving on the UT Executive Leadership Council, this statewide role requires a meaningful presence in both Nashville and Knoxville, along with frequent travel across the state. Candidates may be based in either city.

The vice president provides strategic, operational, and financial leadership for IPS — with responsibility for its agencies, programs, and budget — and will drive implementation of the 2026–2030 IPS Strategic Plan . This plan aims to expand the Institute’s impact, reach, and visibility statewide in alignment with the UT System’s Be One UT strategic plan .

Asa central componentof UT’s outreach and service mission, IPS delivers expert support to governments, industries, and communities across Tennessee. The vice president will advance a coordinated statewide engagement strategy, strengthen partnerships across government and industry, and position UT as a national leader in public service.

Key Responsibilities:

Qualifications :

The Vice President is a high-impact leadership role central to advancing the University of Tennessee’s statewide mission and expanding the reach, visibility, and effectiveness of public service across the state.

The position requires an advanced degree and at least ten years of leadership experience working with state and local government officials in complex organizations; or significant leadership experience in higher education, particularly within a public service or outreach-focused environment.

The successful candidate will be a highly collaborative, relationship-oriented leader who values listening, builds trust through authentic engagement, and is committed to leveraging IPS’s strengths to lead the organization into its next chapter.

Additional qualifications and characteristics include:

Benefits & Compensation:

Compensation for the position will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, and much more. Additionally, Tennessee residents do not pay state income tax.

The deadline for full consideration is October 1, 2026 .

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission. Learn more.

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Bill Fox

Special Advisor to the Chancellor …

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The UT Institute for Public Service provides outreach and assistance to all of Tennessee. Through our agencies and initiatives, we offer technical assistance, training and consulting on a wide variety of services, including:

Through five campuses and two statewide institutes, the University of Tennessee System is improving the lives of Tennesseans today and for future generations. Everywhere you look, the UT System provides education, research and outreach to fulfill our mission and tackle Tennessee’s most pressing challenges.