Executive Director of Communications and Marketing - College of Communication and Information - UTK

The College of Communication and Information (CCI) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville seeks applications and nominations for a full-time Executive Director of Communications and Marketing to lead and execute the strategic direction, vision, and creative standards for communications and marketing efforts for the college and its schools. The director serves as a key member of the CCI leadership team, provides leadership and direction for all communications and marketing efforts, and is responsible for promoting and advancing the college’s image and reputation within the community.

Strategy Development and Team Oversight:

Develop and lead a comprehensive, long-term communications and marketing strategy for the college and its schools in collaboration with academic leadership.

Identify and prioritize strategic opportunities that strengthen the college’s brand, support student recruitment, increase philanthropic engagement, and expand corporate and community partnerships.

Use audience research, data, and industry trends to inform strategies, assess stakeholder engagement, and identify opportunities for growth and increased impact.

Lead the development and execution of integrated marketing and communications initiatives, including paid advertising campaigns and video production, to advance the college’s visibility, reputation, and strategic goals.

Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of marketing and communications programs to address both immediate needs and long-term priorities.

Brand Identity, Relationship, and Content Management

Lead and maintain the college’s visual identity, messaging, and brand standards across all college and school communications and platforms, ensuring alignment with university guidelines.

Build strong partnerships with university communications offices, campus leaders, and development teams to advance institutional priorities and ensure coordinated messaging.

Establish policies and processes that promote consistent brand application across the college and its schools.

Oversee the development and production of strategic content across print and digital platforms, including publications, annual reports, media releases, feature stories, newsletters, social media, and promotional materials.

Provide strategic direction for college and school websites and social media channels, ensuring content, design, and messaging align with brand standards and strategic goals.

Lead high-profile communications projects and oversee project teams to ensure effective execution and impact.

Executive Communications and Media Relations:

Serve as a strategic communications advisor to the dean, developing executive messaging, speeches, presentations, and other leadership communications.

Direct the development of communications and marketing content in collaboration with the dean, school and program directors, faculty, and staff.

Identify and develop stories, messaging, and media opportunities that highlight the college’s strengths, expertise, achievements, and strategic priorities.

Required Qualifications

Education : Bachelor’s degree in communications field such as public relations or other related areas

Experience : Five years of progressively responsible relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities :

Experience in multiple specialty areas (design, writing, media relations, marketing, communication strategy, etc.).

Leadership and management skills with the ability to bring together broad constituencies.

Strong oral and written communication skills, including editing and writing experience across long-and-short-form print, web, video, and social media pieces and platforms.

Strong understanding of video production and ability to apply it to enhance existing and future C&M efforts.

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 : Master’s degree in communications fields such as public relations or other related areas

Experience :

Ten years progressively responsible relative experience including supervisory experience of a team.

Expertise in multiple specialty communications areas (design, writing, media relations, marketing, communication strategy, etc.).

Experience conducting communications and marketing work at an institute or higher education, government agency, or company.

Work Location

Location: Knoxville, TN

Onsite, Hybrid, or Remote: Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

UT market range: MR11

Anticipated hiring range: $80,000-$90,000

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 The College/Department/Division

At the College of Communication and Information, we strive to ignite students’ passions so they can carry on the torch of excellence. Once they become a part of the CCI community, they’ll learn to be innovative leaders, thinkers, and Volunteers in whatever calling they choose to follow in the communication and information world.

We are part of a Land Grant Institution embedded in communities to make those communities a better place. Our alumni, students, faculty, and staff strive to positively impact the lives of people in our state through our teaching, scholarship, creative work, and through our engagement and service. CCI as a college is well poised to deliver upon all of those areas to become the most nationally distinctive but locally relevant College of Communication and Information in the country.

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!