Events and Facility Coordinator - Student Union - UTK

University of Tennessee•Knoxville, TN

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position serves as a lead professional staff member responsible for the day-to-day operations, event management, and facility oversight of the Student Union, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all users. The role oversees a functional area (Set-up Team, Big Orange Tickets, Information Desk, etc.), supervises student employees, leading recruitment, training, scheduling, and ongoing development to build a high-performing operational team. Two core functions of the position include advancing campus community and designing and assessing co-curricular learning experiences that foster student engagement, leadership development, and transferable professional skills through Student Union programs, events, and services. The role also cultivates campus and community partnerships, supports marketing efforts, and manages equipment and vendor relations to advance the Student Union's mission.

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, prioritize multiple work responsibilities in time-sensitive situations, work with limited supervision, supervise and delegate work to student staff, exercise good judgment, handle different situations with confidence and leadership, and be flexible
Knowledge of facility and event management, PC and Mac operating systems, and Microsoft Office suite
Strong verbal and written communication skills, customer service skills, and 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.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree
Direct and relevant experience working with multi-functional facilities
Experience building collaborative partnerships
Exposure to College Union programs.
Knowledge of the role of, trends, and best practices related to student union operations, facility management, event management
Knowledge of event management software
Knowledge of audio consoles and systems, and/or theatrical lighting boards and systems

Responsibilities

Provide facility oversight and management for events/meetings scheduled to utilize Student Union space, serving as lead professional staff person when other professional Union 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 (event set-ups, loading dock, Big Orange Tix, Info Desk, Box-Office, Student Building Manager Program, Recreation Area) 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