Director Of Communications - Division of Access and Engagement - UTK

University of Tennessee • Knoxville, TN

7d

About The Position

This position will provide visionary leadership for communications for the
Division of Access and Engagement (DAE). The director is the principal curator
of the DAE story, voice, and brand identity to various internal and external
audience. Responsibilities include the development, implementation, assessment,
and continuous improvement of the division's comprehensive communications plan.
The position determines strategy, creative direction, and tone for all areas of
the division's highly visible, highly impactful communications. Communication
areas include the following: marketing, writing, website development and
updates, mass email marketing, print and digital design, photography, video,
presentations, and events. The role will supervise two communications
coordinators.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Division of Access and Engagement (DAE)
invites applications and nominations for a strategic, innovative, and visionary
Director of Communications. This full-time position leads the development and
implementation of a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy that
advances the division’s mission to broaden access, deepen engagement, and
elevate belonging across the university and the communities it serves.

The Director of Communications serves as the principal storyteller, strategist,
and brand steward for DAE. This role crafts and amplifies the division’s
narrative, ensuring that its work is visible, compelling, and aligned with
institutional priorities. The director reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor
for Academic and External Relations and works closely with divisional leaders,
campus partners, and external audiences to advance a cohesive and impactful
communications agenda.

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.

Responsibilities

• Development of comprehensive communications plan
• Implementation of comprehensive communications plan
• Assessment of comprehensive communications plan
• Continuous improvement of the division's comprehensive communications plan
• Determine strategy for communications
• Determine creative direction for communications
• Determine tone for communications
• Supervise two communications coordinators

Benefits

• Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees