The posting
Job Description
The Director of Sorority and Fraternity Life provides strategic leadership for the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life and the university’s sorority and fraternity community. The director establishes the vision and strategic direction of the department; leads and develops a multi-level professional staff; and provides oversight for departmental operations, financial and physical resources, sorority and fraternity housing and facilities, assessment, policy, and compliance.
The director provides leadership for initiatives that advance student and organizational development, leadership, belonging, scholarship, healthy relationships, and responsible decision-making. The position also provides strategic oversight for health, safety, risk reduction, and compliance and works collaboratively with campus and external partners on prevention education, crisis response, student wellness, and emerging issues affecting the sorority and fraternity community.
As a primary university representative for sorority and fraternity life, the director develops strong partnerships with students, chapter advisors, alumni and house corporation leaders, inter/national organizations, parents and families, university leaders, and community stakeholders. The director uses assessment, data, research, and emerging professional practices to guide decision-making, demonstrate impact, and continually strengthen the sorority and fraternity experience at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Responsibilities
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP & ADMINISTRATION
- Provide vision, strategic direction, and executive leadership for the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life
- Develop strategic plan and direct the establishment, implementation, and enforcement of department priorities, policies, practices, and guidelines
- Ensure department compliance with university policies/procedures
- Monitor emerging issues, trends, research, legislation, and professional standards affecting higher education and recommend responses from the sorority and fraternity life community
- Lead efforts relation to community growth, chapter expansion/extension, recognition, and long-term organizational excellence
- Provide strategic direction for a comprehensive developmental experience for sorority and fraternity members, chapter leaders, governing councils, and advisors
- Ensure departmental initiatives advance leadership, belonging, scholarship, service, organizational effectiveness, healthy relationships, and responsible decision-making
HEALTH, SAFETY, COMPLIANCE, & FACILITY OVERSIGHT
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight for health, safety, risk reduction, compliance, and fraternity and sorority housing and facilities
- Ensure departmental practices and programs comply with applicable federal and state laws and University policies
- Collaborate with campus and external partners on prevention education, organizational accountability, crisis response, student wellness, and emerging health and safety concerns
- Provide strategic oversight of sorority and fraternity housing and facilities, including housing contracts, billing/collections, inspections, facility operations/maintenance, capital planning, and development of house directors
- Partner with University entities, house corporations, and other stakeholder groups to promote safe, well-maintained, and sustainable residential environments.
PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
- Establish priorities for recruitment, selection, and training of staff
- Supervise, evaluate, and assess staffing needs and recommend appropriate appointments ensuring organizational effectiveness
- Provide direction and feedback to staff regarding work expectations and procedures
- Develop staff capacity and succession planning
- Coordinate efforts of staff toward completion of the department’s mission
EXTERNAL RELATIONS & CAMPUS PARTNERSHIPS
- Establish and maintain good strategic relationships and collaborations with chapter advisors, alumni and house corporation leaders, (inter)national headquarters, parents and families, university leaders and campus partners, and relevant community stakeholders
- Serve as primary university resource and representative on topics related to sorority and fraternity life
- Communicate the contributions, outcomes, opportunities, and challenges of the fraternity and sorority community to internal and external audiences
FISCAL & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
- Provide strategic oversight of departmental financial and physical resources
- Develop annual department revenue/expenditure budgets, advocating for and securing funding for the effective operation of the department
- Monitor budget and make adjustments as necessary
- Develop capital requests
- Identify opportunities to maximize resources in support of departmental and community priorities
ASSESSMENT, DATA, AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
- Evaluate and ensure departmental effectiveness and efficiency through on-going assessment efforts to examine impact of decisions, goals, priorities and processes
- Develop and implement adequate feedback mechanisms and opportunities for students and other guests to evaluate all aspects of department operations (i.e. policy, facilities, staff, and services)
- Ensure the operation of the department meets the expectations of stakeholders through regular information exchange about services, concerns, issues, or requests
- Prepare reports concerning the operations and activities of the department for the AVC Experience and Engagement as requested or as deemed necessary
- Establish a culture of evidence and continuous improvement through systematic assessment of student learning, community outcomes, departmental effectiveness, and the sorority and fraternity experience
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Education: Master’s degree in Student Affairs, College Student Personnel, Higher Education, Business, Educational Psychology, Curriculum Design, Education or related field.
Experience:
- 5 years of experience in higher education.
- Experience in budget management, program development and implementation, supervision, and student organization advising.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Strong interpersonal, communication (oral/written), listening, supervision, leadership, and student advocacy skills.
- Ability to work/collaborate with internal/external constituents, foster positive and productive relationships, and make sound decisions.
- Strong knowledge of student development and learning theory.
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: Doctorate
Experience:
- Experience advising fraternities/sororities on a college campus across all four council.
- Supervision of professional staff.
- Experience working with fraternity/sorority housing, working with multiple constituencies, and leading formal Panhellenic and/or Interfraternity recruitment processes.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Strong knowledge of assessment practices and trends and issues affecting sorority and fraternity communities.
Work Location
- Location: Knoxville, TN
- Onsite
Compensation and Benefits
- UT market range: MR15
- Anticipated hiring range: Minimum salary of $90,000. Final salary commensurate with education and experience.
- 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. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before October 25, 2026.
- Resume
- Cover Letter
About The College/Department/Division
The Division of Student Life is comprised of an outstanding group of professionals who create student-centered opportunities that contribute to an Unparalleled Student Experience. These opportunities allow students to grow their skills and knowledge outside of the classroom. From health and wellness to service and engagement, we provide opportunities where students exemplify the Volunteer Spirit, inspiring others to learn, lead, and serve.
Our departments provide essential services that support student success and future growth, fostering engagement, leadership, and wellness while enhancing belonging. Together, they create transformative experiences that help students achieve both academic and personal goals.
The Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life, we aim to support the co-curricular experience of the university by assisting sororities and fraternities in developing individuals of reputable character who exemplify sisterhood/brotherhood, leadership, and service for the greater good.
About Us
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!
