Communications & Marketing Associate: Institute of American Civics - UTK

University of Tennessee • Knoxville, TN

17h • Onsite

About The Position

The Communications & Marketing Associate supports the development and execution of communications and marketing initiatives for the Institute of American Civics (IAC). Reporting to the Executive Director, this position collaborates with cross-functional team members to support the Institute’s public visibility, academic programming, and civic engagement initiatives. This role coordinates content development, digital communications, event promotion, and project tracking in alignment with university policies and brand standards. The position contributes to promoting lectures, conferences, student programs, scholarly initiatives, and external partnerships that support the Institute’s mission. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is the state’s flagship research institution. The Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs was established in 2023 to honor the distinguished life and legacy of Howard H. Baker Jr. The Institute of American Civics (IAC) is a core component of the Baker School’s mission, advancing civic education, civil discourse, and public engagement. Through academic programs, research initiatives, and statewide outreach, the IAC works to strengthen civic knowledge, promote viewpoint diversity, and foster constructive dialogue across differences. Its growing portfolio includes undergraduate programming, K–12 teacher professional development, and public-facing events designed to connect scholarship with practice and support a more informed and engaged citizenry. The team is dynamic, collaborative, and mission-driven, dedicated to advancing research, education, and public service that addresses real-world challenges at the local, state, national, and global levels. As a fast-growing and evolving organization, the team values innovation, teamwork, and the contributions of each team member in moving the Baker School forward.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or a related field preferred; or equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant professional experience.
• At least one year of general experience in communications, marketing, or digital content.
• Experience can be gained within paid or unpaid internships as well as volunteer work.
• Knowledge of communications standards and branding principles.
• Familiarity with social media analytics and engagement metrics.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a higher education environment.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Experience using project management platforms (e.g., ClickUp) and social media management tools (e.g., Sprout Social).
• Familiarity with event management software (e.g., Bizzabo, Cvent, or Eventbrite).
• Familiarity with IAC content areas including American history, government, and civics.
• Professional experience supporting communications, marketing, or digital content initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Drafts newsletters, announcements, press materials, and promotional content.
• Edits and formats communications to ensure clarity, consistency, and compliance with university and Institute branding standards.
• Develops content for print and digital distribution, including brochures, flyers, and web materials.
• Conducts research to support feature stories and program promotion.
• Develops and maintains social media calendars aligned with Institute programming.
• Creates and publishes content across platforms, monitors engagement, and tracks performance metrics.
• Utilizes tools such as Sprout Social and ClickUp (or similar systems) to manage campaigns and deliverables.
• Updates website content to reflect current programs and initiatives.
• Captures and curates photo and video content for digital use.
• Assists internal teams in designing marketing campaigns for Institute programs.
• Develops presentation materials and visual assets aligned with brand standards.
• Supports marketing timelines to ensure event-related communications are delivered on schedule.
• Coordinates print production and vendor communications.
• Tracks project timelines and maintains organized digital archives of marketing materials.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level