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

University of Tennessee•Knoxville, TN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The College of Communication and Information at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, seeks a full-time Executive Director of Communications and Marketing to lead the strategic direction, vision, and creative standards for communications and marketing efforts across the college and its schools. As a member of the CCI leadership team, the director leads communications and marketing and promotes the college’s image and reputation within the community. The director develops and leads a comprehensive, long-term strategy in collaboration with academic leadership. The role identifies opportunities to strengthen the college’s brand, support student recruitment, increase philanthropic engagement, and expand corporate and community partnerships. It uses audience research, data, and industry trends to inform strategy and assess engagement, and leads integrated initiatives such as paid advertising campaigns and video production. The position oversees the college’s visual identity, messaging, and brand standards; builds partnerships with university communications offices, campus leaders, and development teams; and establishes processes for consistent branding. It directs strategic content and communications across print and digital channels, including websites and social media, and leads high-profile projects. The director also advises the dean on executive communications and develops messaging and media opportunities that showcase the college’s strengths, achievements, and priorities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, or another related area.
Five years of progressively responsible relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Experience in multiple specialty areas, such as design, writing, media relations, marketing, and communications strategy.
Leadership and management skills, including the ability to bring together broad constituencies.
Strong oral and written communication skills, including editing and writing across long- and short-form print, web, video, and social media pieces and platforms.
Strong understanding of video production and the ability to apply it to enhance current and future communications and marketing efforts.
Legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without a need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in communications, public relations, or another related area.
Ten years of progressively responsible relevant experience, including supervisory experience of a team.
Expertise in multiple specialty communications areas, such as design, writing, media relations, marketing, and communications strategy.
Experience conducting communications and marketing work at an institute or in higher education, a government agency, or a company.

Responsibilities

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 opportunities to 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 integrated marketing and communications initiatives, including paid advertising campaigns and video production.
Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of marketing and communications programs for immediate needs and long-term priorities.
Lead and maintain the college’s visual identity, messaging, and brand standards across college and school communications and platforms, in alignment with university guidelines.
Build partnerships with university communications offices, campus leaders, and development teams to advance institutional priorities and coordinate messaging.
Establish policies and processes that promote consistent brand application across the college and its schools.
Oversee strategic content development and production for 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, aligning content, design, and messaging with brand standards and strategic goals.
Lead high-profile communications projects and oversee project teams to ensure effective execution and impact.
Advise the dean on strategic communications, including executive messaging, speeches, presentations, and other leadership communications.
Direct communications and marketing content development in collaboration with the dean, school and program directors, faculty, and staff.
Identify and develop stories, messaging, and media opportunities highlighting the college’s strengths, expertise, achievements, and strategic priorities.