Multiple positions are available.

This position serves as a lead professional staff member responsible for the day-to-day operations, event management, and facility oversight of the Student Union, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all users. The role oversees a functional area (Set-up Team, Big Orange Tickets, Information Desk, etc.), supervises student employees, leading recruitment, training, scheduling, and ongoing development to build a high-performing operational team. Two core functions of the position include advancing campus community and designing and assessing co-curricular learning experiences that foster student engagement, leadership development, and transferable professional skills through Student Union programs, events, and services. The role also cultivates campus and community partnerships, supports marketing efforts, and manages equipment and vendor relations to advance the Student Union's mission.

Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree

Experience: Experience in event operations or facility management. 4 years’ facility management experience may substitute for degree

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Ability to work with diverse constituencies, prioritize multiple work responsibilities in time-sensitive situations, work with limited supervision, supervise and delegate work to student staff, exercise good judgment, handle different situations with confidence and leadership, and be flexible; Knowledge of facility and event management, PC and Mac operating systems, and Microsoft Office suite; Strong verbal and written communication skills, customer service skills, and interpersonal skills.

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: Master’s degree

Experience: Direct and relevant experience working with multi-functional facilities; Experience building collaborative partnerships; Exposure to College Union programs.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Knowledge of the role of, trends, and best practices related to student union operations, facility management, event management; Knowledge of event management software; Knowledge of audio consoles and systems, and/or theatrical lighting boards and systems

Work Location: Student Union at The University of Tennessee, 1502 Cumberland Ave, Knoxville, TN, 37912

Some remote work may be permitted when events schedule permits

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR08
• 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. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before July 5, 2026

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

About The College/Department/Division

The Division of Student Life is comprised of an outstanding group of professionals who create student-centered opportunities that contribute to a transformative Volunteer Experience. These opportunities allow students to develop their skills and knowledge outside of the classroom. From health and wellness to service and engagement, we provide opportunities where students exemplify the Volunteer Spirit, inspiring others to learn, lead, and serve.

The University of Tennessee Student Union partners with students to provide services and an intentional use of space to promote community, student learning and development, as well as a sense of belonging. The Student Union offers students the opportunity to eat, study, work, and relax in the heart of campus. It houses our Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life, the Jones Center for Leadership and Service, the Dean of Students Office, the Center for Student Engagement, the Visitors Center, the Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration, the VolShop, and VolTech.

(50%) FACILITY OPERATIONS, EVENT MANAGEMENT, AND ADMINISTRATION:

• Provide facility oversight and management for events/meetings scheduled to utilize Student Union space, serving as lead professional staff person when other professional Union staff are unavailable
• Coordinate with other Student Union professional staff to maintain continuity/ consistency of Union services, operations, and event support
• Engage in pre-event planning by providing consultation, guidance, and direction to users regarding event logistics, facility policies, and available resources
• Provide/facilitate event support including audio-visual, technical, and event furniture set-up for Student Union users
• Supervise an operational functional area within the Student Union (event set-ups, loading dock, Info Desk, Box-Office; Student Building Manager Program, Recreation Area)
• Assist with event crowd management
• Monitor services, safety, and security of Student Union to ensure a welcoming environment for all users
• Identify and resolve immediate operation issues within the facility
• Diffuse difficult situations with creative problem solving, making exceptions to policies/practices/procedures when appropriate
• Clear and secure Student Union at closing, ensuring all facility spaces are locked
• Analyze, enforce, and make recommendations regarding building policies and procedures that enhance the student experience and support the mission of the Student Union

(20%) PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT AND STUDENT STAFF DEVELOPMENT:

• Supervise an operational functional area within the student employment team (event set-ups, loading dock, Big Orange Tix, Info Desk, Box-Office, Student Building Manager Program, Recreation Area) and ensure effective event support services, and operations throughout the Student Union
• Assist with the coordination of the student employee program including recruitment, hiring, training, scheduling, supervision, and evaluation of 100+ student employees
• Develop and facilitate comprehensive training programs focused on operational procedures, customer service, leadership development, risk management, problem-solving, and student learning outcomes
• Ensure appropriate testing and training on all technical systems, procedures and policies
• Provide ongoing coaching, mentoring, and developmental feedback to student employees to support both job performance and personal growth
• Manage the student staff budget, approve payroll, develop/maintain operating and training manuals, and provide direction to building facility and custodial services staff

(20%) STUDENT LEARNING, DEVELOPMENT, AND CO-CURRICULAR ENGAGEMENT

• Design, implement, and assess co-curricular learning experiences that occur through Student Union programs, services, facilities, and signature events
• Collaborate with campus partners, student organizations, and Student Union staff to develop educational opportunities that promote student engagement, leadership development, belonging, civic responsibility, and/or transferable professional skills
• Integrate student learning outcomes into Student Union programs and event experiences and assess the effectiveness of these experiences in advancing student development goals
• Serve as an educator by facilitating reflection, coaching, and experiential learning opportunities for student employees and student leaders involved in Union operations and programs
• Contribute to the planning, execution, and evaluation of Student Union signature events, ensuring these initiatives intentionally support student learning, community building, and co-curricular development
• Utilize assessment data and student feedback to improve programs, services, and learning outcomes associated with Student Union initiatives

(10%) OUTREACH & OTHER:

• Interact with students, faculty, staff, and guests
• Collaborate with the marketing and communication team in order to effectively communicate and market opportunities connected to the Student Union
• Build positive working relationships with campus and community partners by managing on-site facility and customer relations issues, conflicts, and problems
• Serve on university/division committees and initiatives
• Maintain equipment inventory control system for building furnishings, AV technical equipment, and Student Union art gallery collection
• Assist with research and development of proposals for purchase of new equipment and serve as liaison to vendors during installation of new equipment