Campus Design Manager - Facilities Services - UTK

University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department
University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department

Design, Operations

Knoxville, TN, USA

Posted on Jul 9, 2026

This mid-level position manages capital and minor projects; develops budgets, conceptual project estimates, and schedules; develops project programs; organizes and actively participates in design/construction teams; reviews design plans and specifications and construction estimates; influences and manages construction budgets (to the extent allowed); observes and reports construction work from project sites; creates, implements, and ensures compliance with campus standards; is familiar with standard design and construction concepts, contractual mechanisms and procedures, practices and understands technical procedures within the architectural/engineering field(s); provides technical guidance and limited design services; seeks additional training in order to enhance or add capabilities; relies on moderate experience and judgment to plan and accomplish tasks; utilizes certain degree of creativity and latitude; works independently with minimal supervision.


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!

This mid-level position manages capital and minor projects; develops budgets, conceptual project estimates, and schedules; develops project programs; organizes and actively participates in design/construction teams; reviews design plans and specifications and construction estimates; influences and manages construction budgets (to the extent allowed); observes and reports construction work from project sites; creates, implements, and ensures compliance with campus standards; is familiar with standard design and construction concepts, contractual mechanisms and procedures, practices and understands technical procedures within the architectural/engineering field(s); provides technical guidance and limited design services; seeks additional training in order to enhance or add capabilities; relies on moderate experience and judgment to plan and accomplish tasks; utilizes certain degree of creativity and latitude; works independently with minimal supervision.
  • Required Education:
    • Bachelor's Degree required, master’s degree preferred

      • Appropriate Licensure in functional areas of architecture or engineering preferred or demonstrate equivalent learning and experience.

  • Required Experience:

    • Minimum of five years in construction or design field required.

      • Greater than eight years in design field with accompanying construction oversight preferred

      • Greater than five years as Registered Design (Architect or Engineer) Professional preferred

  • Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Strong written and oral communications skills

    • Knowledge of good architectural/engineering practices

      • Ability to work and communicate effectively with diverse trades and groups of people

      • Wide-range of knowledge of building systems, components, and construction methods

      • Knowledge of building codes and industry standards

      • Knowledge of construction cost estimation

      • Ability to multi-task effectively

      • Ability to resolve problems quickly and effectively

      • Professionally licensed

        Other Conditions:

        • Valid Driver’s license

        • 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

  • Masters Degree
  • Greater than eight years in design field with accompanying construction oversight; greater than five years as Registered Design (Architect or Engineer) Professional.
  • Appropriate Licensure in functional areas of architecture or engineering preferred, or demonstrate equivalent learning and experience.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Customer focused; detail oriented; collaborative in nature; accomplishment oriented; self-motivated and proactive; good listener; positively persuasive; organized; good communicator.

Work Location

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

Compensation and Benefits

  • UT market range: MR13
  • 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.


  • Manages capital and non-capital projects both major and minor.
  • Responsible for managing the project budget, schedule, and quality with a high degree of customer service.
  • Responsible for accurate reporting and accounting of project progress.
  • Attends design meetings and documents on the topics covered.
  • Schedules and/or attends follow-up meetings as necessary to determine appropriate resolutions to any areas of concern found.
  • Organizes and meets with stakeholders, designers, contractors, and campus customers.
  • Reviews product submittals, potential construction change orders, budget reports, and other related construction documents and provides guidance.
  • Reviews design drawings for technical accuracy and compliance with campus standards.
  • Creates campus standards for areas of technical competence.
  • Organizes and attends drawing reviews and other meetings with appropriate stakeholders, campus constituents, and facilities departments in various disciplines appropriate to the work.
  • Identifies areas for project management process improvement.
  • Performs site observations of ongoing construction projects.
  • Prepares written documentation of such observations and files appropriately.
  • Works with appropriate parties to make corrective actions in a timely manner.
  • Creates conceptual estimates and schedules for potential future projects.
  • Creates and assists with program documents for future projects.
  • Reviews estimates, schedules, and programs (created by other project managers) for technical accuracy/feasibility.
  • Provides technical advice and limited design services; does in-house conceptual estimates
  • Completes feasibility studies for potential projects by internal and external customers.