Project Manager: Office of Innovative Technologies - UTK

The Project Manager leads multiple complex IT projects within the Office of Innovative Technologies (OIT), ensuring successful delivery across scope, schedule, budget, risk, and quality. Partners with university stakeholders to plan, execute, and monitor projects while supporting continuous improvement of project management processes and tools.

• Manage multiple large, complex, and high-visibility technology projects across OIT involving internal teams and external stakeholders 

• Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans, including scope, schedule, budget, resources, and risk management 

• Lead cross-functional project teams (ranging from 4 to 50 members), assigning tasks and monitoring progress toward deliverables and timelines 

• Collaborate with leadership and UT departments/campuses to allocate resources and align priorities 

• Track and manage project budgets ranging from tens of thousands to low millions 

• Communicate project status, risks, and outcomes clearly and regularly to stakeholders 

• Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks and issues; documenting and tracking throughout the project lifecycle 

• Anticipate challenges and proactively propose and evaluate solutions with project teams 

• Facilitate effective meetings and decision-making discussions by presenting options and trade-offs 

• Work closely with vendors and consultants to ensure successful project execution 

• Maintain project momentum by managing dependencies, risks, and stakeholder commitments 

• May mentor staff and project managers on project management practices and tools (including PPM systems) 

• Research, recommend, and implement improvements to project management methodologies and processes 

• Analyze project successes and failures to identify opportunities for continuous improvement 

• Perform other related duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's Degree

• Experience: 

   

  • Minimum five years professional experience managing IT projects or project management in another field with demonstrated track record of delivering projects on time, within budget and scope, and to stakeholders’ satisfaction.

  • Experience and education equivalent to the Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP) credential are required.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Strong knowledge of industry-standard project management principles and practices 

  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously 

  • Proven ability to lead teams and hold team members accountable for project outcomes 

  • Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills 

  • Ability to anticipate, assess, and mitigate risks to minimize impact 

  • Skilled in evaluating project budgets, schedules, costs, benefits, and feasibility 

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills 

  • Effective time management and organizational skills 

  • Ability to facilitate productive meetings and drive decision-making 

  • Strong customer service orientation and stakeholder management skills 

  • Ability to foster collaboration, teamwork, and a solution-oriented mindset 

  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools 

  • Ability to document and analyze project performance, including successes and failures

 

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 in information technology, information systems, project management, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Experience:

  • Active Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is strongly preferred. 

  • Certified Scrum Master (CSM) or Certified SAFe Scrum Master (SSM) is preferred. 

  • Experience working in a higher education/university environment preferred. 

  • Minimum five years’ experience in the IT industry with experience managing IT projects such as software development, system building and integration, data wiring, software implementation, and networking.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Experience mentoring or coaching project managers or staff on best practices 

  • Familiarity with Project Portfolio Management (PPM) tools 

  • Experience driving project management process improvements and methodology enhancement

  • Demonstrated ability to operate as a strategic partner and trusted advisor to leadership 

  • Experience leading projects involving multiple institutions, campuses, or external partners 

  • Strong ability to frame decisions by presenting options, trade-offs, and recommendations 

  • Experience working with vendors and external consultants in project delivery

 

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN

• Hybrid

 

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR14

• Anticipated hiring range: $88,000 - $117,000 depending on qualifications and experience

• 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

 

To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before June 15, 2026.

 

About The Division

The primary mission of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is to move forward the frontiers of human knowledge and enrich and elevate the citizens of the state of Tennessee, the nation, and the world. As the preeminent research-based land-grant university in the state, UTK embodies the spirit of excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, creative activity, outreach and engagement attained by the nation’s finest public research institutions.

The Office of Innovative Technologies (OIT) seeks to support the university’s mission by providing customer-driven IT services in a consistent and credible manner.

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!