The Administrative Specialist serves as the central administrative and operational resource for the Jones Center for Leadership and Service, the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life, and the Student Union, ensuring the efficient day-to-day operations of three highly visible departments within the Division of Student Life. This position provides comprehensive administrative support by serving as the primary point of contact for visitors, managing shared communication channels, coordinating office operations, and facilitating business processes related to purchasing, travel, facilities, technology, and financial documentation. The Administrative Specialist coordinates office logistics including space reservations, building access, maintenance requests, supply and equipment management, onboarding support, search coordination, and meeting and event logistics while maintaining exceptional customer service for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners. Working collaboratively with departmental leadership and Student Life Finance and Administration, this role helps ensure operational continuity by coordinating administrative processes, maintaining accurate records, supporting compliance with university policies, and proactively identifying operational needs across the three departments. In addition, the Administrative Specialist contributes to special projects and departmental initiatives and serves as the primary backup to the Administrative Specialist supporting the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Leadership and Engagement, helping ensure seamless administrative support across the Leadership and Engagement portfolio.
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!
Required Qualifications
Education: High school diploma or GED
Experience: 2 years of administrative support experience (bachelor's degree can be substituted for experience)
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple reservations and deadlines simultaneously
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective coordination with diverse campus constituents
Customer service-oriented mindset with a professional, welcoming demeanor.
Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment in a fast-paced event environment
Ability to organize and prioritize multiple responsibilities while managing competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Skill in providing exceptional customer service and interacting professionally with students, faculty, staff, families, alumni, vendors, and community partners
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, while exercising professionalism
Skill in using standard office technologies and business software, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and collaborative platforms
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive information and records
Knowledge of general office administration principles, including records management, scheduling, purchasing, and business correspondence
Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively as a member of multiple departmental teams
Strong attention to detail with the ability to produce accurate work, maintain organized records, and follow established procedures
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
Education: Bachelor's degree
Experience: 2 years administrative support experience in a higher education setting; Experience in crisis management; Experience as an executive assistant.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Knowledge of higher education administrative operations, including organizational structures, policies, and business processes
Knowledge of University of Tennessee administrative systems, such as DASH, Marketplace, Banner, 25Live, TDX, TouchNet, and Microsoft SharePoint
Skill in coordinating financial and operational processes, including procurement, travel, purchasing card reconciliation, and budget tracking
Ability to anticipate operational needs and proactively identify opportunities to improve administrative processes and office efficiency
Skill in coordinating meetings, events, searches, and travel logistics involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
Ability to provide work direction, training, and day-to-day oversight for student employees
Knowledge of facilities, space management, and technology support processes, including maintenance requests, office access, equipment inventory, and space scheduling
Ability to build collaborative relationships across multiple departments while serving as a trusted administrative resource for leadership and staff
Work Location
Compensation and Benefits
Application Instructions
To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before July 26, 2026
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS
FACILTIES, TECHNOLOGY, AND SPACE COORDINATION
TRAVEL AND POSITION SEARCH PROCESS SUPPORT
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS
FACILTIES, TECHNOLOGY, AND SPACE COORDINATION
TRAVEL AND POSITION SEARCH PROCESS SUPPORT