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

The College of Communication and Information (CCI) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville seeks applications and nominations for a full-time Executive Director of Communications and Marketing to lead and execute the strategic direction, vision, and creative standards for communications and marketing efforts for the college and its schools. The director serves as a key member of the CCI leadership team, provides leadership and direction for all communications and marketing efforts, and is responsible for promoting and advancing the college’s image and reputation within the community.

Strategy Development and Team Oversight:

• 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 strategic opportunities that 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 the development and execution of integrated marketing and communications initiatives, including paid advertising campaigns and video production, to advance the college’s visibility, reputation, and strategic goals.

• Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of marketing and communications programs to address both immediate needs and long-term priorities.

Brand Identity, Relationship, and Content Management

• Lead and maintain the college’s visual identity, messaging, and brand standards across all college and school communications and platforms, ensuring alignment with university guidelines.

• Build strong partnerships with university communications offices, campus leaders, and development teams to advance institutional priorities and ensure coordinated messaging.

• Establish policies and processes that promote consistent brand application across the college and its schools.

• Oversee the development and production of strategic content across 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, ensuring content, design, and messaging align with brand standards and strategic goals.

• Lead high-profile communications projects and oversee project teams to ensure effective execution and impact.

Executive Communications and Media Relations:

• Serve as a strategic communications advisor to the dean, developing executive messaging, speeches, presentations, and other leadership communications.

• Direct the development of communications and marketing content in collaboration with the dean, school and program directors, faculty, and staff.

• Identify and develop stories, messaging, and media opportunities that highlight the college’s strengths, expertise, achievements, and strategic priorities.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications field such as public relations or other related areas

• Experience: Five years of progressively responsible relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience

• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

  • Experience in multiple specialty areas (design, writing, media relations, marketing, communication strategy, etc.).

  • Leadership and management skills with the ability to bring together broad constituencies.

  • Strong oral and written communication skills, including editing and writing experience across long-and-short-form print, web, video, and social media pieces and platforms.

  • Strong understanding of video production and ability to apply it to enhance existing and future C&M efforts.

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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in communications fields such as public relations or other related areas

• Experience:

  • Ten years progressively responsible relative experience including supervisory experience of a team.

  • Expertise in multiple specialty communications areas (design, writing, media relations, marketing, communication strategy, etc.).

  • Experience conducting communications and marketing work at an institute or higher education, government agency, or company.

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN

• Onsite, Hybrid, or Remote: Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR11

• Anticipated hiring range: $80,000-$90,000

• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here

• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments:

• Resume

• Cover Letter

About The College/Department/Division

At the College of Communication and Information, we strive to ignite students’ passions so they can carry on the torch of excellence. Once they become a part of the CCI community, they’ll learn to be innovative leaders, thinkers, and Volunteers in whatever calling they choose to follow in the communication and information world.

We are part of a Land Grant Institution embedded in communities to make those communities a better place. Our alumni, students, faculty, and staff strive to positively impact the lives of people in our state through our teaching, scholarship, creative work, and through our engagement and service. CCI as a college is well poised to deliver upon all of those areas to become the most nationally distinctive but locally relevant College of Communication and Information in the country.