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Assistant Director of Special Events & Hospitality - Tennessee Athletics - UTK

University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department

University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department

Administration
Knoxville, TN, USA
Posted on Dec 6, 2025

This position will be responsible for supporting the Senior Director of Special Events & Hospitality in all operational aspects of an on-campus office / operation. It will be expected to fulfill assigned sport-specific roles and duties for premium seating areas at events during multiple sports seasons, as applicable. Recruiting, hiring, training and supervision of interns and game day/event staff will be key. Support in design and production of effective communication media, including services guides, menu portfolios, web-based communication, newsletters and other correspondence will be necessary. Expectations will be to assist with effective communication to the Senior Director of Special Events & Hospitality and within the athletic department regarding the following: presentation of proposed operating budget; provision of pre-season report detailing maintenance and facility problems; provision of post-game reports detailing operational and maintenance issues; presentation of year-end report. Implementation procedures for booking tours in designated athletic facilities, when applicable. The expectation of Tennessee Athletics Event Management leadership will be to establish and maintain positive relations with diverse groups, including donors and seat holders, game day staff, vendors, and university administration. Assist the Athletics department and Senior Director of Special Events at championship/post season, and all other auxiliary and internal / external events, as requested.


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!

This position will be responsible for supporting the Senior Director of Special Events & Hospitality in all operational aspects of an on-campus office / operation. It will be expected to fulfill assigned sport-specific roles and duties for premium seating areas at events during multiple sports seasons, as applicable. Recruiting, hiring, training and supervision of interns and game day/event staff will be key. Support in design and production of effective communication media, including services guides, menu portfolios, web-based communication, newsletters and other correspondence will be necessary.

Required Qualifications

  • Education: Associate’s degree
  • Experience: Relevant customer service/hospitality experience.
  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
    • Ability to lead and communicate effectively with internal units, campus departments, and external representatives.

    • Knowledge of Special Event Industry Standards and NCAA and SEC guidelines as they pertain to collegiate athletic & special events.

    • Knowledge of basic University guidelines and policies in relation to monetary transactions.

    • Ability to manage a staff of up to 60 people in a professional and organized manner.

    • Ability to multitask and complete various ongoing projects within a typical work day.

    • Skills to use computer software, in particular, Microsoft Software Suite (Word, Excel, Publisher, Outlook), as well as Photoshop and Adobe Acrobat.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree.
  • Experience: Experience in event management operations and/or with an NCAA Division I or professional sport setting.
  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
    • Working knowledge of creative platforms.

    • Ability to lead and train part-time and/or full-time staff.

Work Location

  • Knoxville, TN
  • Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

  • UT market range: 09
  • 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

  • List of 3 Professional References

About Tennessee Athletics

Tennessee Athletics Mission, Vision & Core Values

Mission: To lead the way forward in all aspects of college sports

Vision: Deliver an unparalleled student-athlete experience fueled by the relentless pursuit of comprehensive excellence; be bold and innovative in our approach to recruiting and developing well-rounded graduates, championship-driven competitors and world-changing leaders.

Core Values: Vols lead through…
» Academic Success
» Inclusive Preeminence
» Honesty and Integrity
» Competitive Excellence
» Holistic Health and Well-Being
» The Power of Vol Nation


Tennessee Athletics assigned facility premium space / event oversight and support.

  • Support the Senior Director of Special Events & Hospitality in all operational aspects of premium event spaces.

  • Fulfill assigned sport and event-specific roles and duties for premium seating areas at events during multiple sports seasons.

  • Assist the Athletics department and Senior Director of Special Events & Hospitality at championship/post season, and all other auxiliary and internal / external events, as requested.

Tennessee Football Premium (Gameday) Operations Management.

  • Comply with approved budgets for Event Management as approved by Associate AD / Event Management and Senior Director of Special Events & Hospitality.

  • Fulfill assigned premium area roles and duties in premium / seating areas at Neyland Stadium Events including but not limited: to Gates, Club Areas, Suites, and / or as applicable as assigned by the Senior Director of Special Events & Hospitality.

Oversight and supervision of all Tennessee Athletics Special Events Staff. (Intern, part time, and all relevant special and premium event support, accordingly).

  • Recruit, hire, train and supervise all staff, including but not limited to: 1-2 interns, and a game day student and part-time staff.

External Event Recruiting Efforts and Client Customer Service:

  • Actively support the Senior Director of Special Events & Hospitality as it relates to evaluating special event opportunities and relationships in Athletics facilities, while working to retain and build upon those efforts. Provide unparalleled customer service, accordingly.

  • Support in design and production of effective communication media, including services guides, menu portfolios, web-based communication, newsletters and other correspondence will be necessary.

  • The expectation of Tennessee Athletics Event Management leadership will be to establish and maintain positive relations with diverse groups, including donors and seat holders, game day staff, vendors, and university administration

Budget and Post event / Annual Reports; Policies and procedures; Office / Equipment:

  • Communicate successfully with Senior Director of Special Events & Hospitality regarding: presentation of proposed operating budget; provision of pre-season report detailing maintenance and facility problems; provision of post-game reports detailing operational and maintenance issues;

  • Support and formulate implementation procedures and manuals for booking tours in athletic facilities, when applicable.

  • Office / event supply inventory management