Operational and Travel Support Specialist: Tickle College of Engineering - UTK

Job Description

This Operational and Travel Support Specialist serves as a key administrative operations support within the Tickle College of Engineering (TCE), reporting directly to the Administrative Services Manager (ASM). The position is responsible for providing direct administrative, operational, and event management support in cross-functional office areas. This role is the primary point of contact for TCE administrative units' office's travel needs. As the primary point of contact for designated units, this role is responsible for managing complex assignments, performing high volume purchasing, and providing high-level administrative support to senior leadership, including but not limited to the Kao Innovation Collaboration Studio (KICS), Interdisciplinary Senior Design Program (ISD) and the office of Engineering Professional Practice (EPP). This person interprets policies, procedures, regulations, and rules and assists faculty, staff, students, and contingent workers in understanding these requirements. All duties and responsibilities are expected to be completed with minimal oversight or supervision.

Responsibilities

Travel Policy Guidance & Customer Support

• Advise on travel policies and procedures for assigned units, answers travel-related questions, and troubleshoots system issues by coordinating with appropriate university offices.
• Stays current on policy and system updates, recommends process improvements to ASM, and communicates changes while supporting training and compliance efforts.

Fiscal Program Support (Designated Units)

• Manages and supports fiscal operations including budget tracking, reconciliation, purchasing, accounts payable/receivable, payroll tracking, vendor setup, contract coordination, and compliance with university financial policies.

Event & Administrative Support

• Provides broad administrative support including office operations, communications, visitor engagement, supply management, parking coordination, service requests, hiring support, meeting coordination, and student-related administrative tasks.
• Coordinates and executes training sessions, program events, recruiting activities, and college-wide events while managing logistics, marketing coordination, and recordkeeping.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years' experience coordinating or managing a large office supporting executive leadership style roles
• Minimum of 1 year medium to large scale event planning experience.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong understanding of confidential issues
• Analytical and strong attention to details
• Sociable and welcoming to internal and external constituents
• Dependable, flexible, and adaptable
• Prior event planning experience
• Must be able to multi-task
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and ability and willingness to quickly learn and use similar new tools
• Ability to interact with a diverse group of individuals
• Excellent customer service skills

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• 5+ years of experience coordinating or managing a large office
• 2+ years planning medium-to-large-scale events
• Experience in higher education is preferred

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of UT policies
• Experience in an academic setting
• Must be able and willing to work and travel locally for occasionally early mornings, nights, and weekends

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN
• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR06
• Anticipated hiring range: $55,000 - $60,000
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments.

• Resume
• Cover Letter

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!