Executive Search: Vice President, Institute for Public Service
The University of Tennessee System is committed to attracting visionary leaders who will help advance our mission of education, research, outreach and service across the state of Tennessee. Through our executive search process, we seek candidates who demonstrate a strong commitment to student success, innovation, collaboration and public service. Current leadership search information, candidate resources and opportunities for engagement reflect the University of Tennessee System’s (UT System) commitment to transparency and to building the greatest decade in UT history.
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Position Description | Search Process and Timeline | Search Committee Members | Feedback
Position Background
In 2026, the University of Tennessee established the Division of Government Relations, Economic Development and Public Service (GEPS), bringing together government relations, advocacy, economic development, and the Institute for Public Service (IPS) under a unified structure. This alignment is designed to strengthen coordination, deepen partnerships, and deliver more integrated, solutions-oriented support to communities, government partners, and industries across Tennessee.
IPS serves business and government to improve the lives of Tennesseans. With offices statewide, IPS is the parent organization for agencies providing technical consulting and training to state and local government, law enforcement, and business and industry — staffed by expert consultants and trainers who generate billions of dollars in economic impact each year.
Through GEPS, IPS’s deep expertise in government training and technical assistance is united with public policy support, advocacy, and economic development into a cohesive statewide effort. Read more about GEPS.
Position Summary
The UT System seeks an innovative, collaborative, and experienced leader to serve as vice president for IPS. Reporting to the senior vice president for Government Relations, Economic Development and Public Service and serving on the UT Executive Leadership Council, this statewide role requires a meaningful presence in both Nashville and Knoxville, along with frequent travel across the state. Candidates may be based in either city.
The vice president provides strategic, operational, and financial leadership for IPS — with responsibility for its agencies, programs, and budget — and will drive implementation of the 2026–2030 IPS Strategic Plan. This plan aims to expand the Institute’s impact, reach, and visibility statewide in alignment with the UT System’s Be One UT strategic plan.
As a central component of UT’s outreach and service mission, IPS delivers expert support to governments, industries, and communities across Tennessee. The vice president will advance a coordinated statewide engagement strategy, strengthen partnerships across government and industry, and position UT as a national leader in public service.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership, Operations, and Innovation
- Lead IPS Executive Directors and teams in delivering high-impact programs and services across Tennessee
- Execute the IPS Strategic Plan in alignment with the UT System’s strategic priorities
- Ensure fulfillment of IPS’s statutory responsibilities and organizational excellence
- Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, proactivity, and continuous improvement while honoring the unique strengths and identities of IPS agencies
- Expand the reach, effectiveness, and long-term sustainability of IPS by leveraging university expertise, strengthening partnerships, and identifying new opportunities to serve the state of Tennessee
- Advance a “One IPS” culture that encourages collaboration across agencies, increases awareness of shared capabilities, and strengthens service delivery for communities and industries across Tennessee
Organizational Leadership and Culture
- Build credibility through active listening, transparency, and engagement across IPS agencies and stakeholder groups
- Develop trusted relationships with employees, agency leaders, university leadership, elected officials, government partners, and external stakeholders
- Foster a culture of collaboration, proactivity, accountability, and shared purpose across the Institute
External Engagement and Advocacy
- Serve as the chief ambassador for IPS by communicating its impact, telling its story, and increasing awareness of the Institute’s value across Tennessee and within the University.
- Build strong partnerships with municipal and county organizations, professional associations, and industry partners
- Contribute to UT System leadership through participation on the Executive Leadership Council
- Build visibility and awareness of IPS’s impact and services across Tennessee
Stakeholder Relations
- Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with state, county, and local officials to strengthen partnerships and support IPS’s mission. Preserve and strengthen IPS’s existing relationships while cultivating new partnerships that advance the University’s public service mission
- Engage regularly with business and industry leaders, economic development partners, and law enforcement
- Regularly and proactively collaborate with key state partners, including the Tennessee Comptroller and other key entities in coordination with the Government Relations team
- Enhance IPS’s reputation as a trusted, responsive, and impactful partner in advancing public service across Tennessee
Organizational Excellence
- Strengthen organizational infrastructure to support sustainable growth
- Promote succession planning, leadership development, and employee engagement
- Ensure financial stewardship while pursuing opportunities to diversify resources and enhance operational effectiveness
- Champion technology and process improvements that improve customer service and organizational efficiency
Qualifications:
The Vice President is a high-impact leadership role central to advancing the University of Tennessee’s statewide mission and expanding the reach, visibility, and effectiveness of public service across the state.
The position requires an advanced degree and at least ten years of leadership experience working with state and local government officials in complex organizations; or significant leadership experience in higher education, particularly within a public service or outreach-focused environment.
The successful candidate will be a highly collaborative, relationship-oriented leader who values listening, builds trust through authentic engagement, and is committed to leveraging IPS’s strengths to lead the organization into its next chapter.
Additional qualifications and characteristics include:
Leadership and Strategy
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex organizations and deliver results
- Strong leadership presence with a demonstrated ability to drive strategy and align stakeholders
- Demonstrated servant leadership with the ability to earn trust through authenticity, humility, and transparency
- Experience leading organizational change while preserving institutional strengths and culture
- Unwavering integrity and ethical standards
- Demonstrated ability to inspire, motivate, and elevate high-performing teams
Communication and Influence
- Ability to build trust, influence a broad range of stakeholders, and represent the Institute for Public Service effectively
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
- Demonstrated ability to communicate organizational impact through compelling storytelling and public engagement
- Strong presentation and public engagement capabilities
- Demonstrated ability to effectively champion the University of Tennessee System’s mission and statewide impact
Institutional and Policy Knowledge
- Understanding of legislation and public policy and their impact on public service stakeholders
- Skilled at aligning University capabilities with the evolving needs of government and industry partners
- Deep understanding of the University’s outreach mission, with a clear vision for expanding its impact and reach
- Ability to successfully navigate complex political, governmental, and higher education environments while building consensus across a wide range of stakeholders
- Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply laws, policies, and procedures with sound judgment and consistency
Relationship Building
- Proven ability to establish trust and credibility with employees, government officials, community leaders, and external partners
- Demonstrated success leading through influence rather than authority
- Highly collaborative leadership style with exceptional emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills
- Commitment to visibility and engagement across urban and rural communities throughout Tennessee
Judgment and Execution
- Demonstrated ability to balance strategic vision with operational excellence
- Strong organizational and operational leadership skills
- High integrity and sound judgment in decision-making
- Proven ability to make informed, strategic decisions with openness and accountability
- Experience developing high-performing teams through coaching, empowerment, and succession planning
- Demonstrated ability to delegate effectively, empower leaders, and hold teams accountable for results
Benefits & Compensation:
Compensation for the position will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, and much more. Additionally, Tennessee residents do not pay state income tax.
Search Process and Timeline
To be fully considered for this opportunity, candidates must apply using the University of Tennessee’s online application system using the link below. Internal candidates must apply via Opportunity Marketplace in DASH.
Application materials should include a resume/CV outlining relevant experience, skills, and qualifications and a cover letter highlighting your interest in the role and how your background aligns with the position.
The review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the search concludes. The deadline for full consideration is October 1, 2026. Nominations, recommendations, or inquiries may be made via the search website.
All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission. Learn more.
Search Committee Members
Linda Martin
UT System
Chair
Paul Jennings
Jon Walden
Anthony Haynes
David Connor
Lori Bruce
Marianne Wanamaker
Jim Arnette
Julie High
Dereck Stewart
Johanna Owenby
Amanda Shappard
Bill Fox
Justin Rhinehart
Invitation for Feedback
Your feedback is important to our search process. Take a moment to share your thoughts using our listening survey and help shape the future of IPS.
About the Institute for Public Service
The UT Institute for Public Service provides outreach and assistance to all of Tennessee. Through our agencies and initiatives, we offer technical assistance, training and consulting on a wide variety of services, including:
- Government operations
- Language services
- Law enforcement excellence
- Leadership training
- Manufacturing excellence
- Opioid abatement
- And much more
About the UT System
Through five campuses and two statewide institutes, the University of Tennessee System is improving the lives of Tennesseans today and for future generations. Everywhere you look, the UT System provides education, research and outreach to fulfill our mission and tackle Tennessee’s most pressing challenges.