Events and Facility Coordinator - Student Union - UTK
Job Overview
Employment Type
Full-time
Work Schedule
Standard Hours
Flexible
Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Retirement Plan
Paid Time Off
Professional Development
Employee wellness programs
Tuition Assistance
Job Description
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is a renowned flagship land-grant institution, established in 1794, that serves over 38,000 students and 10,000 employees statewide. Known as the Volunteers, the university community upholds a proud tradition of leadership, service, and innovation. UT Knoxville offers an array of more than 900 programs across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools, holding the highest Carnegie classification for research activity. The university has strong ties with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, further enhancing its commitment to academic excellence, experiential learning, and impactful community engagement.
The Division of Student Life at UT Knoxville plays a pivotal role in fostering student development beyond academics through comprehensive student-centered opportunities. These programs encourage students to embody the Volunteer spirit by inspiring leadership, service, and engagement. The Student Union, a central hub campus facility, complements this mission by providing a welcoming space that supports community building, student learning, and a sense of belonging. The Student Union hosts vital campus units including the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life, the Jones Center for Leadership and Service, the Dean of Students Office, and several career and engagement centers.
The position available is a lead professional staff role dedicated to managing the day-to-day operations, event management, and facility oversight of the Student Union. This role is critical in ensuring a safe, efficient, and welcoming environment for all users and facilitating smooth operations within the busy campus venue. The professional staff member will oversee a designated functional area such as Set-up Team, Big Orange Tickets, or Information Desk while supervising and developing a team of over 100 student employees. Responsibilities include recruitment, training, scheduling, evaluation, and coaching to cultivate a high-performing operational workforce that excels in customer service and leadership.
The role also emphasizes the strategic advancement of student engagement and co-curricular learning outcomes through Student Union programs, events, and services. The successful candidate will design, implement, and assess events and learning experiences that foster leadership development, civic responsibility, and transferable professional skills. Collaboration with campus partners, student organizations, and other Student Union staff is essential for creating educational and inclusive environments that promote community connectedness and student success.
Additionally, this position requires managing equipment inventories, vendor relations, marketing support, and ensuring that the Student Union facilities meet safety and security standards. The role helps maintain consistent service quality by collaborating with other professional staff and addressing operational challenges swiftly and creatively, enhancing the overall student experience.
This full-time role offers the opportunity to work at the heart of campus life at the Student Union, located at 1502 Cumberland Ave, Knoxville, TN. Some remote work may be permitted depending on the event schedule. UT Knoxville provides competitive compensation within their UT market range (MR08) and a comprehensive benefits package. The university values work-life balance, professional development, and a supportive employee community, making it an excellent place for career growth and meaningful contribution to the campus community.
Candidates interested in this role should submit a resume, cover letter, and list of three professional references by July 5, 2026, to ensure full consideration. The University of Tennessee encourages applications from individuals who are legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.
By joining UT Knoxville, the selected candidate will become part of an award-winning workplace known for being one of America’s Best Large Employers, Best Workplace for Women, and Best Place for Working Parents. The university’s commitment to innovation, inclusiveness, and leadership development creates a dynamic environment where employees can thrive and contribute to shaping future leaders and changemakers.
The Division of Student Life at UT Knoxville plays a pivotal role in fostering student development beyond academics through comprehensive student-centered opportunities. These programs encourage students to embody the Volunteer spirit by inspiring leadership, service, and engagement. The Student Union, a central hub campus facility, complements this mission by providing a welcoming space that supports community building, student learning, and a sense of belonging. The Student Union hosts vital campus units including the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life, the Jones Center for Leadership and Service, the Dean of Students Office, and several career and engagement centers.
The position available is a lead professional staff role dedicated to managing the day-to-day operations, event management, and facility oversight of the Student Union. This role is critical in ensuring a safe, efficient, and welcoming environment for all users and facilitating smooth operations within the busy campus venue. The professional staff member will oversee a designated functional area such as Set-up Team, Big Orange Tickets, or Information Desk while supervising and developing a team of over 100 student employees. Responsibilities include recruitment, training, scheduling, evaluation, and coaching to cultivate a high-performing operational workforce that excels in customer service and leadership.
The role also emphasizes the strategic advancement of student engagement and co-curricular learning outcomes through Student Union programs, events, and services. The successful candidate will design, implement, and assess events and learning experiences that foster leadership development, civic responsibility, and transferable professional skills. Collaboration with campus partners, student organizations, and other Student Union staff is essential for creating educational and inclusive environments that promote community connectedness and student success.
Additionally, this position requires managing equipment inventories, vendor relations, marketing support, and ensuring that the Student Union facilities meet safety and security standards. The role helps maintain consistent service quality by collaborating with other professional staff and addressing operational challenges swiftly and creatively, enhancing the overall student experience.
This full-time role offers the opportunity to work at the heart of campus life at the Student Union, located at 1502 Cumberland Ave, Knoxville, TN. Some remote work may be permitted depending on the event schedule. UT Knoxville provides competitive compensation within their UT market range (MR08) and a comprehensive benefits package. The university values work-life balance, professional development, and a supportive employee community, making it an excellent place for career growth and meaningful contribution to the campus community.
Candidates interested in this role should submit a resume, cover letter, and list of three professional references by July 5, 2026, to ensure full consideration. The University of Tennessee encourages applications from individuals who are legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.
By joining UT Knoxville, the selected candidate will become part of an award-winning workplace known for being one of America’s Best Large Employers, Best Workplace for Women, and Best Place for Working Parents. The university’s commitment to innovation, inclusiveness, and leadership development creates a dynamic environment where employees can thrive and contribute to shaping future leaders and changemakers.
Job Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree
- Experience in event operations or facility management
- 4 years’ facility management experience may substitute for degree
- Ability to work with diverse constituencies
- Ability to prioritize multiple work responsibilities in time-sensitive situations
- Ability to work with limited supervision
- Ability to supervise and delegate work to student staff
- Ability to exercise good judgment
- Ability to handle different situations with confidence and leadership
- Ability to be flexible
- Knowledge of facility and event management
- Knowledge of PC and Mac operating systems
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Strong customer service skills
- Strong 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
Job Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree
- Experience in event operations or facility management
- Ability to supervise and delegate work to student staff
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Strong customer service skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Knowledge of facility and event management
- Knowledge of PC and Mac operating systems
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
Job Duties
- Provide facility oversight and management for events/meetings scheduled to utilize Student Union space, serving as lead professional staff person when other professional 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
- Supervise an operational functional area within the student employment team 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
- 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
- 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
Job Criteria
Experience
Mid Level (3-7 years)
Job Location
Your Profile Is Visible To Hiring Managers Across OysterLink.
We'll match you with best jobs
Get job offers faster
Search For More Opportunities:
How Candidates Get Hired Faster
Apply to 2–3 similar roles
Complete profile & get best matches
Check new opportunities daily
