Assistant Director of Communications, Creative - College of Communication and Information - UTK

University of Tennessee•Knoxville, TN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The College of Communication and Information (CCI) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is seeking a full-time Assistant Director of Communications, Creative to join the CCI Office of Communications and Marketing. The role supports the Director of Communications and Marketing in developing and executing strategic visual storytelling and creative initiatives that strengthen CCI’s brand and engagement. It leads the creative team and oversees development, design, and execution of creative assets and multimedia content, including videography, photography, graphic design, and other visual communication initiatives. Focused on authentic storytelling, the Assistant Director creates compelling visual narratives showcasing the work and achievements of CCI students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The position oversees creative development from concept through completion and provides creative direction and stewardship of the college’s visual identity, ensuring projects align with university brand standards, strategic priorities, and a cohesive presence across platforms. The role calls for accuracy, deadline management, effective relationships with campus and external constituencies, adaptability, flexibility, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities. The position collaborates with the CCI Office of Communications and Marketing, the Dean’s Office, and schools and units across the college to develop stories that support marketing and outreach, particularly student recruitment and donor relations. It reports to the Director of Communications and Marketing.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in visual communications, graphic design, journalism, marketing communications, or a similar field.
Three to five years of experience in graphic design, videography, creative communications, or a public relations setting.
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, including graphic design, photo editing, illustration, vector graphics, video editing, and motion graphics.
Advanced knowledge of videography, photography, audio recording, and post-production, including experience filming in a variety of environments and editing video, audio, interviews, and podcasts.
Familiarity with audiovisual, lighting, photography, and video equipment, as well as livestreaming and video platforms such as Zoom, Vimeo, and other streaming technologies.
Experience designing and producing print and digital marketing materials, including brochures, catalogs, posters, flyers, promotional materials, and trade show displays.
Knowledge of web and social media multimedia requirements, accessibility standards, and industry best practices.
Creative problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects, meet tight deadlines, work independently, and collaborate effectively as part of a team.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without needing employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in visual communications, graphic design, journalism, marketing communications, or a similar field.
Five to seven years of experience in graphic design, videography, creative communications, or public relations settings.
Experience leading multimedia communications at an institute of higher education, government agency, or company.

Responsibilities

Lead CCI’s creative strategy and provide creative direction for visual storytelling, including videography, photography, graphic design, and multimedia content.
Supervise and guide creative team members and student interns, overseeing projects from concept through final production to ensure quality, consistency, and timely delivery.
Collaborate with the CCI Office of Communications and Marketing to develop and execute creative campaigns and storytelling initiatives supporting student recruitment, alumni engagement, and donor relations.
Oversee CCI’s visual identity and brand stewardship across print and digital platforms, ensuring alignment with university brand standards and strategic priorities.
Lead video production strategy and oversee projects from concept through completion, including storyboarding, script development, filming, editing, captioning, and branding.
Produce photography and videography showcasing CCI’s people, programs, events, and accomplishments for websites, social media, email marketing, presentations, and other platforms.
Collaborate with the CCI Communications and Marketing team to create visual content that strengthens the college’s digital presence, storytelling, and brand identity.
Manage digital photo and video assets, college display content, and production equipment, maintaining organized resources, consistent branding, and reliable production capabilities.
Develop and execute graphic design concepts for print and digital communications, including publications, campaigns, promotional materials, websites, email, and presentation templates.
Manage creative project workflows from concept through production, collaborating with team members, campus partners, printers, and vendors to deliver high-quality work on time and within project budgets.
Maintain and strengthen CCI’s visual identity across platforms by ensuring design consistency, presenting creative concepts, and incorporating industry trends and best practices.
Contribute to the college’s creative vision and public brand presence through creative strategy, brainstorming, content planning, and quality standards across platforms and campaigns.
Serve as the primary communications liaison for assigned CCI schools and units, building campus partnerships, gathering audience feedback, and coordinating communications needs, special initiatives, and college-wide events.