About The Role

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville invites applications for the Executive Director for Financial Strategy and Operations in the Division of Student Life. Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Student Life and serving on the Student Life Executive Leadership Team, the Executive Director is the division's senior financial and operational leader.

The Executive Director provides strategic leadership for financial planning, budgeting, resource allocation, operational effectiveness, and technology strategy while serving as a trusted advisor to the Vice Chancellor. The position ensures sound financial stewardship, compliance, and alignment of resources with divisional priorities and student success goals and advances operational excellence and long-term organizational sustainability through collaboration with campus partners. The position provides oversight for a Student Life budget exceeding $90M to $100M and leadership for financial, technology, and administrative functions supporting the division.

Strategic Financial Planning, Budgeting, and Resource Allocation

Leads financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation, including annual operating budgets and multi-year financial plans aligned with divisional and institutional priorities.
Advises senior leadership on financial implications of strategic investments, organizational initiatives, and emerging opportunities.
Oversees financial modeling, scenario analysis, Student Programs and Services Fee (SPSF) planning, and long-range fiscal sustainability efforts to support informed decision-making and responsible stewardship of divisional resources.

Operations, Organizational Effectiveness, and Business Strategy

Leads initiatives to improve operational performance, organizational effectiveness, and administrative efficiency in ways that align business processes, staffing models, and strengthen resource deployment with strategic priorities.
Guides workforce planning, organizational design, and process improvement initiatives that enhance service delivery, optimize resources, and strengthen organizational capacity.
Develops performance metrics and operational analytics to support evidence-based decision-making, continuous improvement, and organizational performance.

Executive Leadership, Supervision, and Strategic Partnerships

Serves as a key member of the Student Life Executive Leadership Team and principal advisor to the Vice Chancellor on financial strategy, operational effectiveness, resource allocation, organizational sustainability, and administrative innovation.
Supervises the Director of Student Life Finance and Administration and the Director of Student Life Technology and provides leadership, mentorship, and direction that fosters accountability, innovation, continuous improvement, and high performance.
Build collaborative relationships with campus leaders, administrative partners, and external stakeholders to advance divisional goals and institutional priorities.

Financial Stewardship, Compliance, and Risk Management

Oversees financial reporting, internal controls, policy compliance, risk management, and the financial health and appropriate use of institutional, auxiliary, fee, and gift funds.
Oversee audit coordination and compliance reviews and ensures implementation of financial policies and procedures.
Ensures adherence to university, state, federal, and UT System requirements while promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainable use of resources.

Technology Strategy and Data-Informed Decision Support

Provides strategic oversight of Student Life technology initiatives and data-informed decision-making efforts.
Ensures technology investments align with divisional priorities and support operational effectiveness and organizational goals.
Promotes technology solutions that enhance efficiency, service delivery, and overall organizational performance.
Provides leadership on emerging technologies, data strategy, process automation, and artificial intelligence applications that improve organizational effectiveness and enhance service delivery.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of strategic financial planning, budgeting, organizational effectiveness, student affairs administration, higher education operations, university policies, and applicable federal and state regulations.
Ability to think strategically, lead complex organizations, and translate institutional priorities into effective financial and operational plans.
Strong skills in communication, financial analysis, personnel management, and organizational leadership, with the ability to manage budgets, personnel, programs, facilities, and operations in a complex regulatory and political environment while fostering collaboration, accountability, and innovation.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in finance, budgeting, operations, administration, strategic planning, or organizational management.
Experience with financial oversight, resource allocation, program or operational management, and collaboration with multiple stakeholders.
Demonstrated experience leading projects, initiatives, or teams in a complex organizational environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced degree.
Seven (7) or more years of experience in higher education, student affairs, finance, operations, administration, or a related field, with progressive leadership and administrative responsibility.
Experience overseeing multiple functional areas, including financial management, business operations, technology, human resources, facilities, or auxiliary services.
Demonstrated success advising senior leaders, leading organizational change, managing complex budgets, and aligning resources with strategic and operational priorities.

Compensation and Benefits

UT Market Range: 17

Anticipated Hiring Range: $150,000-$155,000

The University of Tennessee offers a competitive benefits package, including paid vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, education benefits, retirement plans, and medical, dental, and vision insurance.

Application Process

To express interest, please apply through the University of Tennessee application system and submit a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without the candidate's permission.

For full consideration, completed applications and all requested materials should be submitted by Sunday, October 18 .

For confidential inquiries or nominations, please contact Anthony Lanagan, Executive Recruiter.