The Director of Housing Services role oversees Housing Services operations across 10 residence halls housing more than 7,000 students, sets departmental goals and service standards, leads long-range facilities planning, and serves on the University Housing Senior Leadership Team. The Director provides strategic oversight of maintenance, preventive maintenance programs, deferred maintenance and assists with capital renewal planning. Manages the Housing Services operating budget, contracts, utilities, procurement, and financial analysis for operational improvements. Additionally, the position supervises and develops a multidisciplinary team (including custodial, maintenance, safety/security, and project roles), promotes accountability and continuous improvement, and ensures compliance with life safety, environmental health, ADA, OSHA, fire safety, and applicable codes and regulations.

Responsibilities

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP: Set and advance department goals, priorities, and long-range operational plans for facilities, maintenance, housekeeping, safety, and building systems.

Establish policies, service standards, and performance metrics, and drive improvements in service, efficiency, sustainability, and asset stewardship.

Serve on the University Housing Senior Leadership Team and lead response during facilities emergencies and disruptions.

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT: Provide strategic oversight of preventive, deferred and continual maintenance, and facility renewal initiatives.

Partner with Student Life Facilities Capital Projects, the Interior Designer/Project Manager, Facilities Services, and P3 housing partners to plan and deliver renovations, space/furniture improvements, and long-range capital renewal priorities.

Monitor building condition assessments and recommend future capital investments to maintain consistent facility standards.

SUPERVISION & COLLABORATION: Provide leadership, supervision, coaching, and performance management for: Maintenance Superintendent, Housekeeping Supervisor, Assistant Director for Safety & Security, Interior Designer/Project Manager, and Special Projects Coordinator.

Establish performance expectations, professional development plans, succession planning initiatives, and employee engagement strategies.

Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, customer service, continuous improvement, and workplace safety.

SAFETY & COMPLIANCE: Provide executive oversight of life safety, security, emergency preparedness, environmental health, and regulatory compliance, ensuring adherence to all applicable federal, state, university, OSHA, fire/ADA, environmental, and building code requirements.

Coordinate emergency response activities involving housing facilities; Oversee building inspections, incident investigations, corrective action planning, and risk mitigation initiatives.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Experience: Eight years of progressively responsible facilities management or operations leadership experience; Five or more years supervising professional staff and managers; Experience managing maintenance operations for multiple facilities or a large campus environment; Experience overseeing capital projects and deferred maintenance programs; Experience managing capital budgets; Experience working collaboratively with centralized facilities organizations and external contractors; Higher education or student housing experience preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong organizational skills and project management skills; Knowledge of facilities management principles, building systems, preventive maintenance, and capital renewal planning; Knowledge of construction administration, renovation planning, and project management; Knowledge of budgeting, financial management, and resource allocation; Knowledge of life safety systems, OSHA regulations, building codes, and regulatory compliance; Knowledge of custodial operations and maintenance best practices; Skill in strategic planning and organizational leadership; Skill in supervising managers and leading multidisciplinary teams; Skill in project management involving multiple stakeholders; Skill in conflict resolution and collaborative problem solving; Ability to develop productive partnerships across organizational boundaries; Ability to analyze operational and financial data to support strategic decision-making; Ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, contractors, consultants, faculty, staff, and students; Ability to manage multiple complex priorities in a dynamic environment.

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

Work Location

Location: University Housing Central Office: Magnolia Hall
Onsite, Hybrid, or Remote: Onsite with occasional weekends, evenings and travel.

Compensation and Benefits

UT market range: MR14
Anticipated hiring range: $85,000 - $106,000. Final salary range to be presented prior to on-campus interview and will be based on education and experience.
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.

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.

Our departments provide essential services that support student success and future growth, fostering engagement, leadership, and wellness while enhancing belonging. Together, they create transformative experiences that help students achieve both academic and personal goals.

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!

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Director of Housing Services - University Housing - UTK