Director of Design Facilities Services UTK

Reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Planning & Design within Facilities Services at the University of Tennessee Knoxville the Director of Design provides strategic leadership and organizational direction for campus planning design and development efforts. The position serves as the Universitys authority on architecture engineering landscape interiors and design standards advising senior leadership and campus partners. The Director leads the multidisciplinary Design Services organization and oversees master planning feasibility programming and design oversight for capital non-capital and renovation projects ensuring alignment with campus standards sustainability goals regulatory requirements and coordinated campus impacts.

• Establish and communicate vision priorities and performance expectations for Design Services in alignment with institutional goals and Facilities Services leadership
• Translate long-range institutional priorities into actionable strategies for campus design and development initiatives.
• Provide informed recommendations and professional judgment to support executive decision-making.
• Ensure consistent alignment between Design Services activities and approved policies procedures standards and strategic objectives.
• Lead change initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness clarity and service delivery across Facilities Services.
• Lead and manage a multidisciplinary organization including Campus Planning Design Project Management Interior Environments and Landscape and Natural Resources.
• Direct daily operations by assigning responsibilities setting schedules and monitoring workloads across teams.
• Support staff development through mentoring performance feedback and professional growth opportunities.
• Oversee the application interpretation and advancement of campus design standards guidelines and master plans.
• Ensure capital and major renovation projects reflect institutional expectations for quality sustainability constructability and long-term stewardship.
• Coordinate design considerations related to utilities energy systems maintenance access transportation safety and operational continuity.
• Collaborate with Capital Construction and In-House Construction to ensure design intent is clearly communicated and executed.
• Engage Maintenance & Repair and Utilities & Energy staff early to inform design decisions and lifecycle outcomes.
• Serve as a primary point of engagement for campus clients senior administrators and external partners.
• Facilitate effective communication between campus stakeholders and Design Services Construction and Operations teams.
• Build and maintain positive relationships that support trust and long-term partnership across Facilities Services and the University.
• Ensure Design Services delivers consistent professional and high-quality customer service across all initiatives.
• Provide professional oversight and direction for feasibility studies programming design activities and implementation support across campus projects and initiatives.
• Ensure alignment with approved project scopes budgets schedules and delivery expectations.
• Lead design coordination and align design efforts among Facilities Services UT System Dept. of Capital Projects (DCP) and city and state partners to support constructible operationally sound design solutions.
• Identify risks and support mitigation strategies to maintain project momentum quality and safety.
• Monitor project performance to support informed decision-making and timely adjustments.
• Ensure required design documentation and information are properly coordinated and provided to support effective project closeout and transition.

Required Qualifications

• Education:
  • Bachelors degree in Architecture Engineering Landscape Architecture Interior Design or Planning
  • Licensure Required: Registered Architect Professional Engineer Registered Landscape Architect or Registered Interior Designer
• Experience:
  • Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in a professional design field such as architecture engineering landscape architecture interior design or related fields.
  • At least 5 years of experience in major capital and renovation project management.
  • At least 3 years of experience leading design teams including architects engineers landscape architects and/or interior designers.
  • Appropriately licensed design professional in Tennessee or the ability to obtain a license in Tennessee through comity.
• Knowledge Skills Abilities:
  • Ability to lead mentor and develop multidisciplinary teams set priorities and foster accountability and collaboration.
  • Knowledge of architecture engineering landscape interior design and master planning principles including industry best practices.
  • Ability to direct planning programming feasibility studies design and implementation efforts ensuring alignment with institutional goals.
  • Ability to build and maintain effective partnerships across University stakeholders consultants and external partners.
  • Ability to anticipate and respond professionally to the needs of campus clients and partners.
  • Excellent verbal written and presentation skills to convey complex design and operational information clearly to diverse audiences.
  • Ability to evaluate complex issues make sound decisions and align outcomes with institutional priorities.
  • Strong familiarity with building codes accessibility standards sustainability initiatives and environmental regulations.
  • Ability to develop implement and refine processes for efficient high-quality and high-performance results.
  • Demonstrated ability to act transparently uphold professional standards and provide reliable guidance to staff and stakeholders.
• Other Conditions:Valid Drivers license

Work Location

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

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR17
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structurehere
• Find more information on UT Benefitshere

Application Instructions

To express interest please submit an application with the noted below attachments.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

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 Knoxvilles 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.