Director of Communications: Office of the Provost - UTK

University of Tennessee•Knoxville, TN

23h•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Communications develops communications and marketing plans to achieve goals established by the Provost’s Office and campus partners, and oversees their execution. Working with Provost’s Office leadership, the director determines the creative direction, visual tone, and goals of the office’s communications and strategies that advance and support university initiatives. The role develops internal and external content, including campus-wide messages, social media posts, graphics, print pieces, videos, and executive communications such as talking points and presentations. The director reports to the associate provost and chief operating officer and collaborates with communications leaders across academic affairs areas. The director oversees the communications strategy, content, visual identity, external website, internal intranet sites, and social media for the Office of the Provost. This includes developing and tracking success metrics, refining communications based on analytics, coordinating with vendors, supporting campus-wide communications initiatives, and ensuring alignment with university branding and communications practices. The position also monitors higher education issues and communications trends, and may handle highly sensitive communications requiring confidentiality and careful coordination. The position is located onsite at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The anticipated hiring range is $85,000–$100,000.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least 5 years of experience in a communications role.
Experience in project management; leadership and supervision; developing and executing communications plans; and collaborating across multiple levels of leadership to provide communications strategy guidance.
Experience writing for multiple audiences on tight deadlines.
Experience creating social media strategy and content, graphics for digital and print media, video content, web content, and impactful print pieces; managing websites; and providing customer service.
Experience with crisis communications, content management systems, and industry-standard software, including Adobe suite software.
Outstanding writing and visual communications skills, including graphic design and video creation.
Ability to work and prioritize in a fast-paced environment and manage and lead staff.
Ability to develop short- and long-term communications plans that reach audiences and achieve objectives.
Ability to photograph and edit impactful images for graphics, social media, and print pieces, and design high-impact print pieces.
Ability to collaborate effectively in a complex organization with multiple campus partners and manage multiple projects with varied stakeholders across campus and leadership levels.
Knowledge of communications analytics and ability to gather and report effectiveness data and develop recommendations based on evaluations.
Knowledge of web content management systems, web accessibility standards, web best practices, and user-centered design principles.
Knowledge of social media trends and best practices.
Exceptional time management, organization, and attention to detail.
Legally authorized to work in the United States full time without requiring employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in communications or a related field.
At least 10 years of communications experience, including leadership and project management at a higher education institution.
Knowledge of higher education trends and issues.

Responsibilities

Develop, track, and ensure execution of communications strategy for the Office of the Provost, including strategy and message calendars with clear goals.
Develop and execute social media strategy and manage Provost’s Office social media in alignment with office and campus strategies and practices.
Coordinate communications projects with Provost’s Office leadership and conduct outreach to faculty.
Assess and refine communications strategies based on analytics; develop and track success metrics and use them to adjust strategies and tactics.
Plan for and respond to crisis communications.
Lead or collaborate on strategic communications that advance campus initiatives and strategic priorities.
Develop executive communications, including speeches, talking points, presentations, and summaries.
Supervise and mentor the office’s communications specialist.
Create high-profile, high-impact content to support Office of the Provost and university communications objectives, including sensitive communications requiring confidentiality and careful coordination.
Manage strategy and content for the Office of the Provost external website and internal intranet sites.
Oversee the office’s visual identity in alignment with university brand standards and oversee or execute print pieces and artwork.
Develop and maintain knowledge of communications procedures and practices.
Work with vendors on communications content and event management.
Represent the Office of the Provost and serve as its lead communicator in campus-wide communications initiatives.
Serve as the primary point of contact within the Provost’s Office for University Marketing and Communications and communications directors across academic affairs areas.
Ensure Provost’s Office communications align with campus-wide communications plans, campaigns, and branding strategies.
Keep current with communications trends and tools, especially social media, and ensure communications align with best practices and standards.
Monitor critical issues in higher education and plan for possible impacts on the Provost’s Office.
Perform other duties as assigned.