Director of Design - Facilities Services - UTK

Reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Planning & Design within Facilities Services at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the Director of Design provides strategic leadership and organizational direction for campus planning, design, and development efforts. The position serves as the University’s authority on architecture, engineering, landscape, interiors, and design standards, advising senior leadership and campus partners. The Director leads the multidisciplinary Design Services organization and oversees master planning, feasibility, programming, and design oversight for capital, non-capital, and renovation projects, ensuring alignment with campus standards, sustainability goals, regulatory requirements, and coordinated campus impacts.

• Establish and communicate vision, priorities, and performance expectations for Design Services in alignment with institutional goals and Facilities Services leadership
• Translate long-range institutional priorities into actionable strategies for campus design and development initiatives.
• Provide informed recommendations and professional judgment to support executive decision-making.
• Ensure consistent alignment between Design Services activities and approved policies, procedures, standards, and strategic objectives.
• Lead change initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness, clarity, and service delivery across Facilities Services.
• Lead and manage a multidisciplinary organization including Campus Planning, Design Project Management, Interior Environments, and Landscape and Natural Resources.
• Direct daily operations by assigning responsibilities, setting schedules, and monitoring workloads across teams.
• Support staff development through mentoring, performance feedback, and professional growth opportunities.
• Oversee the application, interpretation, and advancement of campus design standards, guidelines, and master plans.
• Ensure capital and major renovation projects reflect institutional expectations for quality, sustainability, constructability, and long-term stewardship.
• Coordinate design considerations related to utilities, energy systems, maintenance access, transportation, safety, and operational continuity.
• Collaborate with Capital Construction and In-House Construction to ensure design intent is clearly communicated and executed.
• Engage Maintenance & Repair and Utilities & Energy staff early to inform design decisions and lifecycle outcomes.
• Serve as a primary point of engagement for campus clients, senior administrators, and external partners.
• Facilitate effective communication between campus stakeholders and Design Services, Construction, and Operations teams.
• Build and maintain positive relationships that support trust and long-term partnership across Facilities Services and the University.
• Ensure Design Services delivers consistent, professional, and high-quality customer service across all initiatives.
• Provide professional oversight and direction for feasibility studies, programming, design activities, and implementation support across campus projects and initiatives.
• Ensure alignment with approved project scopes, budgets, schedules, and delivery expectations.
• Lead design coordination and align design efforts among Facilities Services, UT System Dept. of Capital Projects (DCP), and city and state partners to support constructible, operationally sound design solutions.
• Identify risks and support mitigation strategies to maintain project momentum, quality, and safety.
• Monitor project performance to support informed decision-making and timely adjustments.
• Ensure required design documentation and information are properly coordinated and provided to support effective project closeout and transition.

Required Qualifications

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design, or Planning
  • Licensure Required: Registered Architect, Professional Engineer, Registered Landscape Architect, or Registered Interior Designer
• Experience: 
  • Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in a professional design field such as architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, interior design, or related fields.
  • At least 5 years of experience in major capital and renovation project management.
  • At least 3 years of experience leading design teams, including architects, engineers, landscape architects, and/or interior designers.
  • Appropriately licensed design professional in Tennessee, or the ability to obtain a license in Tennessee through comity.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 
  • Ability to lead, mentor, and develop multidisciplinary t