Assistant Director, Capital Projects - UT System Administration

University of Tennessee • Knoxville, TN

4d

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Design & Construction supports the Director in managing the planning, design, and construction of capital projects across the University of Tennessee System. This position plays a key leadership role in ensuring the successful execution of projects in alignment with University priorities, regulatory requirements, budget parameters, and scheduling constraints. The Assistant Director helps provide oversight of professional design and construction services, supports strategic planning efforts, and contributes to the continuous improvement of internal project delivery processes in accordance with University and State Building Commission (SBC) policy.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, or engineering and a minimum of five years of progressively responsible project management experience, including design and construction oversight.
• Must be a registered professional as a licensed architect or engineer.
• Direct experience managing large-scale institutional capital projects, preferably in higher education.
• Strong understanding of construction materials and methods, design standards, building codes, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated experience with public sector procurement and construction delivery models, including design-bid-build and CM/GC.
• Strong leadership, negotiation, and decision-making skills, particularly in managing multidisciplinary teams and complex projects.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with institutional stakeholders, external consultants, and contractors.
• Comprehensive knowledge of capital project lifecycle, including facilities programming, design documentation, contract administration, and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High level of organizational ability with the capacity to manage multiple priorities independently.
• Proficiency with project management software and standard office systems.
• Familiarity with Tennessee SBC processes and UT’s capital project guidelines is strongly preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in planning, procurement and installation of movable equipment and contract furnishings for institutional applications.
• Experience and a fundamental understanding of basic real estate transactions and the related legal concepts and terminology.
• Experience and proficiency in design and construction contract review.
• Experience in reviewing capital proposals.
• Familiarity with diverse public higher education facility development needs.
• Knowledge of public higher education capital program processes.

Responsibilities

• Capital Project Design Services Assist the Senior Director in the management and evaluation of professional design services, including oversight of architectural, engineering, and consultant contracts.
• Help ensure projects reflect campus priorities and conform to institutional master plans, space standards, programmatic goals, and approved budgets and schedules.
• Assist the project managers in the preparation and review of all design documents (PV through CDs), bid packages, and construction specifications for code compliance, quality, and alignment with project goals.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop project scopes, RFPs, and selection criteria for design professionals in accordance with SBC and State Architect procedures.
• Participate in and lead design reviews and value engineering efforts; recommend design modifications to mitigate risk and control costs.
• Propose updates to policies, standards, and guidelines to ensure design alignment with UT system goals and architectural integrity.
• Assist the Senior Director in supervising project managers and related staff, setting clear job expectations and evaluating performance in accordance with University procedures.
• Capital Project Construction Services Assist in the solicitation and procurement of construction-related services, ensuring fair and transparent contractor selection in alignment with state policies.
• Assist the Senior Director and project managers in construction project execution, including field observations, contractor coordination, and the administration of RFIs, submittals, change orders, and progress payments.
• Help ensure timely and thorough constructability reviews, minimizing the potential for change orders and claims during construction.
• Assist PMs in project meetings with internal stakeholders, contractors, and consultants to track construction progress and resolve project challenges.
• Participate in closeout coordination, commissioning, warranty follow-ups, and transition to occupancy, ensuring complete and accurate project documentation.
• Assist the Senior Director in overseeing the evaluation and performance management of project management staff through construction.
• General Support to Capital Program and Division Management Support the Senior Director in assessing project manager workloads and assigning project managers to projects.
• Assist in developing reports on project activities.
• Participate in long-range capital planning and the development of physical campus infrastructure plans in coordination with system leadership.
• Advise senior administration and campus leadership on implementation strategies for capital programs, including scheduling, budgeting, and resource management.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and executive briefings on capital project issues for internal and external stakeholders, including Board and State officials.
• Lead or support process improvement efforts across the Office of Capital Projects and in cross-departmental collaboration.
• Help ensure efficient and compliant documentation, records management, and administrative reporting for capital project delivery.

Benefits

• The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits and much more.
• Additionally, Tennessee residents do not pay a state income tax.
• For more information on the University of Tennessee's benefits, visit https://hr.tennessee.edu/benefits/

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager