Operations Coordinator, Arena - Tennessee Athletics - UTK

University Of Tennessee College
University Of Tennessee College

Operations

Knoxville, TN, USA

Posted on Aug 11, 2026
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The Operations Coordinator supports daily operation functions of Food City Center, which hosts a variety of concerts, special events, and is home to the University of Tennessee Men’s and Women’s basketball and volleyball teams. This role provides hands-on support of all building conversions and facility upkeep while ensuring a safe and efficient operation. This position plays a critical role in all venue conversions and event setups, supporting overnight transitions between all basketball games, concerts, university commencement, and special events hosted at Food City Center. Attention to details and proper pre-planning is a key component of this position.

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!
The Operations Coordinator supports daily operation functions of Food City Center, which hosts a variety of concerts, special events, and is home to the University of Tennessee Men’s and Women’s basketball and volleyball teams. This role provides hands-on support of all building conversions and facility upkeep while ensuring a safe and efficient operation. This position plays a critical role in all venue conversions and event setups, supporting overnight transitions between all basketball games, concerts, university commencement, and special events hosted at Food City Center. Attention to details and proper pre-planning is a key component of this position.

Required Qualifications

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Event/Facility Management, Sports Management, Business, or related field.
  • Experience: 1 or more years’ related experience (can include Graduate Assistantships/Internships) in a multi-purpose, live entertainment venue.
  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

    • Superior interpersonal and strong written and oral communication skills

    • Ability to function in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, handle multiple tasks at one time, meet deadlines

    • Ability to be self-motivated with strong leadership abilities and organizational skills

    • Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office required

    • Working knowledge of operational equipment including but not limited to: forklift, pallet jacks, scrubbers, floor buffers, mechanical lifting devices, staging, retractable seating risers, basketball floors

    • Ability to follow written instruction, interpret CAD drawings and blueprints

    • Ability to work a flexible schedule including early mornings, days, evenings, overnight, weekends, holidays, extended (long) workdays and extended number of days

    • Ability to climb stairs and lift 40 lbs. unaided

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: Forklift certification.
  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

    • Highly skilled in understanding client needs, and problem-solving in a fast-paced, high-stress environment.

Work Location

  • Knoxville, TN
  • Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

  • UT market range: 08
  • 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.

  • Resume

  • Cover Letter

About Tennessee Athletics

Tennessee Athletics Mission, Vision & Core Values

Mission: To lead the way forward in all aspects of college sports

Vision: Deliver an unparalleled student-athlete experience fueled by the relentless pursuit of comprehensive excellence; be bold and innovative in our approach to recruiting and developing well-rounded graduates, championship-driven competitors and world-changing leaders.

Core Values: Vols lead through…
» Academic Success
» Inclusive Preeminence
» Honesty and Integrity
» Competitive Excellence
» Holistic Health and Well-Being
» The Power of Vol Nation

  • Oversee the operation of event conversions, i.e. basketball floor, volleyball floor, stages, tables, and chairs and overnight changeovers.

  • Assume management responsibility for all services and activities involved in the operation of event setup and tear down in Food City Center.

  • Assign work activities, monitor workflow, identify and resolve common operational issues.

  • Review, coordinate, and organize all aspects of the conversion plans with a focus on efficiency and cost effectiveness.

  • Recruit, train, motivate and evaluate operations staff; provide and coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures.

  • Assign appropriate changeover personnel to accurately and efficiently set-up, tear down for all event needs.

  • Collaborate with arena management and other stakeholders (OVG360, Aramark, Promoters, Athletics, etc.) to develop and coordinate proper event setups based on needs of events arena users.

  • Research, review and recommend equipment, materials and supplies required to improve operations while operating within an established annual budget.

Apply now
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