Director of Tennessee Center for Local Governance - Baker School - UTK

The Director will build a new Tennessee Center for Local Governance at the Baker School. With support from the Dean and Baker School faculty, the Director will set vision, strategic direction, and administrative and thought leadership to support the Center's mission: strengthening subnational government capacity by applying Baker School expertise to the needs of local and state governments and mission-aligned non-profits. The Director will work closely with Baker School faculty and public-sector leaders to design research partnerships, translate Baker faculty scholarships into practical tools, and create high-impact experiential learning opportunities for students. The position emphasizes relationship-building, research translation, evidence-based policy making and teaching and mentoring. The Director will both lead independent research and help structure research projects and relationships led by affiliated Baker faculty.

Academic Programs and Outreach

• Works with Baker School faculty, leaders from nonprofits and local and state government officials to identify, design, and sustain long-term applied research partnerships and projects.

• Coordinates strategic research initiatives drawing on faculty expertise across the Baker School.

• Translates faculty research into public goods for use by leaders in public and nonprofit organizations including policy briefs, toolkits, frameworks, and implementation resources.

• Oversees the development of data products and research dissemination tools (e.g., dashboards, reports, web-based resources) that serve as ongoing assets for local, state, and nonprofit partners.

• Teaches and/or co-teaches courses, seminars, or workshops at the Baker School, as appropriate.

• Mentors students in applied policy research, professional communication, and public-sector problem solving.

• Work in conjunction with program directors to design and oversee consulting and capstone projects for undergraduate and graduate students, offered as coursework and/or extracurricular programming.

• Oversees professionally focused programming, including internships, public-sector consulting clubs, speaker series, and practitioner panels.

Program and Operations Management

• Provides overall leadership and strategic direction for the Center.

• Directs the day-to-day operations of the Center, ensuring alignment with the Baker School’s academic mission and strategic priorities.

• Supervises professional staff and student employees; provides training, mentoring, and performance feedback.

• Plans, prioritizes, and manages programmatic activities to ensure goals are met and projects are successfully executed.

• Develops and implements unit policies, procedures, and workflows that support applied research, teaching, and engagement activities.

• Evaluates program effectiveness and implements improvements to research initiatives, academic programming, and external partnerships.

• Builds and sustains strong relationships with local and state policy leaders, serving as the primary liaison between the Center, faculty, students, and external partners.

• Ensures compliance with applicable university, state, and federal rules and regulations.

Business and Financial Management

• Oversees the Center’s budget, including planning, allocation, and monitoring of resources to support academic programs and strategic initiatives.

• Supports the development and management of external funding, including grants, contracts, and sponsored research agreements.

• Provides oversight of fiscal policies, transactions, and reporting in collaboration with Baker School administration.

• Allocates resources strategically to support faculty research partnerships, data product development, and student consulting initiatives.

• Ensures responsible stewardship of financial resources and compliance with university policies and applicable legal requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, or a related field

• Experience:

  • Minimum of 10 years of leadership experience in local or state government, public administration, or a related field

  • Demonstrated success managing complex stakeholder environments and advancing strategic initiatives

  • Experience developing partnerships with public and nonprofit sector stakeholders

  • Experience managing budgets, projects, or externally funded initiatives

  • Experience teaching, facilitating executive education, or mentoring early-career professionals

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Strong knowledge of state and local governance structures

  • Proven ability to build and sustain relationships with public-sector and community partners

  • Ability to translate research and data into actionable tools and recommendations

  • Strong communication skills, including the ability to convey complex ideas clearly

  • Experience designing and executing applied research projects

  • Strong organizational and project management skills

  • Ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines

  • Demonstrated ability to teach, mentor, or coach students

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: Ph.D. in Public Policy, Public Administration, or a related field

• Experience:

  • Experience working with Tennessee local governments

  • Demonstrated success in grant writing, fundraising, or contract management

  • Experience leading cross-sector or multi-jurisdictional collaborations

  • Experience leading student consulting teams or client-based learning environments

  • Teaching experience at the undergraduate or graduate level

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Knowledge of government operations, policy processes, and administrative decision-making

  • Experience developing academic or externally funded research agendas

  • Advanced skills in research design, data analysis, or policy evaluation

  • Familiarity with research-practice partnerships

Work Location 

• Location: Knoxville, TN

• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits 

• UT market range: MR14

Application Instructions 

To express interest, please apply with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials.

• Resume

• Cover Letter

About the College

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is the state’s flagship research institution, a campus of choice for outstanding undergraduates, and a premier graduate institution. As a land-grant university, it is committed to excellence in learning, scholarship, and engagement with society.

The Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs was established in 2023 to honor the distinguished life and legacy of Howard H. Baker Jr., a former U.S. Senator, Senate Majority Leader, White House Chief of Staff, and Ambassador to Japan. Located in a 51,000-square-foot purpose-built facility, the Baker School evolved from the Baker Center, which for over twenty years has operated as a leading think tank producing research, public engagement programming, and student-focused initiatives.

Today, the Baker School is expanding its impact through new academic degree programs and the development of independent research centers, including the Tennessee Center for Local Governance. The School also houses the Institute of American Civics, which promotes civic knowledge and engagement among University of Tennessee students and communities across the state.

We are a dynamic, collaborative, and mission-driven team dedicated to advancing research, education, and public service that addresses real-world challenges at the local, state, national, and global levels. As a fast-growing and evolving organization, we value innovation, teamwork, and the contributions of each team member in moving the Baker School forward.