Tennessee Nuclear Network (TN) Director / Program Director

Classification & Compensation

Status: Full-time, Exempt
• Work Location: On-site (non-hybrid, non-remote)
• Salary Range: $95,000 - $120,000 yearly

The East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC) brings industry, academia, and government together to share information, foster collaboration, and advocate for federal missions that drive regional economic growth. Through weekly programs and signature events, ETEC convenes leaders and partners to strengthen East Tennessee's economic competitiveness and innovation ecosystem.

ETEC is a private, independent, regional, 501(c)(6) nonprofit membership organization founded in 1973. Today, ETEC represents more than 400 member organizations and manages a robust annual calendar of meetings, conferences, and special events across East Tennessee and beyond.

About the Tennessee Nuclear Network (TN)

The Tennessee Nuclear Network (TN) is a statewide initiative led by the East Tennessee Economic Council that brings together nuclear-focused and adjacent companies, government partners, academic institutions, and workforce organizations to support collaboration, innovation, and economic growth across Tennessee's nuclear ecosystem.

TN builds on decades of leadership in the Oak Ridge Corridor while engaging partners statewide to advance workforce development, industry coordination, public engagement, and policy alignment. www.TNnuclear.org.

The TN Director is responsible for the coordination, and momentum of the Tennessee Nuclear Network. This role manages the initiative-its priorities, progress, and outcomes-while working collaboratively with ETEC staff who support execution across communications, operations, events, and membership.

This is a hands-on leadership role in a small, highly collaborative team. The Director is expected to personally produce work, not simply coordinate or delegate it. Success in this role requires comfort operating in complexity, strong judgment, and the ability to move diverse stakeholders forward through influence rather than authority.

Why This Role Matters

This position offers the opportunity to lead a visible, high-impact statewide initiative at the intersection of industry, workforce, and economic development-while working in a collaborative environment where leadership is trusted and ideas turn into action.

Key Responsibilities:

Initiative Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as the primary internal leader and steward of the TN initiative
• Translate Executive Committee guidance into annual priorities, workplans, and measurable outcomes
• Keep TN aligned with ETEC's mission and broader economic development goals
• Regularly brief the President & CEO and both ETEC and TN Executive Committee on progress, risks, and opportunities

Governance & Committee Management

• Manage the TN Executive Committee and other standing committees
• Prepare agendas, discussion materials, and decision summaries
• Track actions and follow up to ensure commitments lead to outcomes
• Recruit and onboard committee members in coordination with ETEC leadership

Program & Initiative Development

• Lead the planning and coordination of TN programs, initiatives, and recurring meetings
• Draft first versions of plans, frameworks, timelines, and proposals for new initiatives
• Identify gaps, emerging needs, and opportunities across workforce, industry, policy, and public engagement

Stakeholder & Partner Engagement

• Serve as a primary point of contact for TN member companies and partners
• Build and maintain relationships with industry, government, academic, and workforce stakeholders
• Represent TN in meetings, briefings, and collaborative settings as appropriate
• Be the public voice of the initiative to outside entities, could include some travel
• Collect and submit progress reports to key stakeholders

Internal Coordination

• Coordinate TN work across the ETEC team, ensuring clarity of roles, timelines, and expectations
• Work closely with communications staff on messaging, positioning, and visibility (content execution handled by ETEC staff)
• Partner with operations and events staff to support logistics and member experience

Required:

• 7+ years of senior level experience leading complex programs, initiatives, or partnerships
• Experience working with multi-stakeholder groups (industry, government, academia, nonprofits)
• Demonstrated ability to create structure, synthesize input, and move work forward
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Comfort operating in a small, fast-moving organization
• Strong project management and organizational skills

Preferred:

• Experience in economic development, energy, workforce development, policy, public-private partnerships, or a related field
• Familiarity with Tennessee's economic or workforce landscape
• Experience reporting to boards or executive committees