Assistant Director of Operations – Facilities Services - UTK

The Assistant Director of Operations supports the Director of Operations in carrying out departmental responsibilities and advancing the overall effectiveness of the Operations unit. This role oversees staff and manages operational functions across campus, including landscaping, arboriculture, turf maintenance, pest control, event management, environmental services, and moving services. The position authorizes expenditures within established limits and manages recordkeeping, correspondence, staff supervision, budget support, and departmental coordination. Regular interaction with students, faculty, administrators, and other stakeholders is required, as well as communication with parents, visitors, contractors, and vendors.

• Assists the Director in the fulfillment of his duties.
• Develops department goals and objectives based on interpretation of institutional policy and goals. 
• Initiates change in, or develops new policies, and procedures and/or methods. 
• Analyzes long-range impact of decisions and plans. 
• Ensures the most effective operations of the division through program development, process improvement using industry “best practices”, and coordination/integration of processes with other divisions or departments. 
• Participates in divisional, departmental, and interdepartmental committees to address problems and facilitate information exchange about programs, problems, etc.
• Provides information to others to explain and clarify any issues or requests. 
• Participates in periodic management meetings to keep top management informed of any problems or concerns.
• Review design criteria for new building projects and renovation of campus structures. 
• Work with designers and contractors to ensure that all projects are completed to campus standards. 
• Review new construction and generate a list of any deficiencies found during review for repair by contractors.
• Defines and achieves financial targets in support of business goals of the institution and department.
• Assist in preparing annual operating budgets for the department including direct labor, material, supplies, services, equipment maintenance and replacement. 
• Oversees budget execution and adjusts as necessary.
• Coordinate activities between Facilities Operations and other Facilities Services groups. 
• Establish performance goals and measure and evaluate success of assigned area of responsibility. 
• Administering employee performance evaluations, executing disciplinary measures and promoting adherence to the University standards.
• Leading Facilities Operations personnel in preventative and reactive maintenance strategies.

Required Qualifications

• Education:       
  •  High School Diploma or GED
    • TN Department of Agriculture C03 certification

• Experience: 

  •  Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in grounds management

    •  5+ years of supervisory experience required.

     

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 

  • Strong organizational, interpersonal, communication and problem-solving skills

  • Supervisory, leadership experience, project management and decision-making skills

  • Ability to respond to continually changing priorities and coordinate multiple projects

  • Continuously observe and evaluate operations to identify problems and/or opportunities for improvement 

  • Knowledge and understanding of OSHA safety standards to ensure departmental compliance for employee safety and required training 

  • Computer skills (Outlook, Excel, Word)

 

• 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.

 

• Other Conditions: Valid Driver’s license

 

Work Location

• University of Tennessee – Knoxville, TN Campus
• This is an on-site position

 

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR14
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

 

About The College/Department/Division

UT Facilities Services is responsible for the care and keeping of more than 300 facilities and utilities systems in and around Knoxville. As the University of Tennessee Knoxville’s largest non-academic department, team members are responsible for facilities maintenance and repair, custodial needs, landscaping and lawncare, utility work, in-house and capital construction projects, facilities planning and design, environmental initiatives, pest control, campus event services, and facilities administration functions for both the flagship campus and the agricultural institute.  The Facilities Services staff provides around-the-clock coverage to ensure students, staff, faculty, and fans have a consistent and positive experience every time they step foot on Rocky Top. 

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!