Director of Communications and Marketing College of Communication and Information

$71,000 - $83,000/Yr

University of Tennessee - Knoxville, TN

Full-time - Senior

Knoxville, TN

Educational Services

About the position

The Director of Communications and Marketing at the College of Communication and Information (CCI) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is responsible for leading and executing the strategic direction and creative standards for the college's communications and marketing efforts. This role is pivotal in promoting the college's image and reputation, enhancing its ability to achieve long-term strategic goals, and overseeing a team dedicated to these initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Develop, formalize, and execute a holistic, long-term communications and marketing plan for the college and its units.
• Work directly with school leadership to develop marketing and communication initiatives aligned with the college's strategic vision.
• Collaborate with campus and university-level communication officers to contribute to the university's brand and initiatives.
• Develop a data-driven understanding of the college's target audiences and influencers.
• Identify and prioritize strategic communications needs for the college.
• Evolve the college's brand to support enrollment and donor development.
• Create marketing and communications programs to address opportunities and needs.
• Conduct ongoing research on higher education trends to align C&M efforts with industry standards.
• Plan and execute strategy for paid marketing campaigns to impact student recruitment.
• Identify and pursue paid advertising opportunities to improve the college's reputation.
• Serve as a liaison between the college and the university's Office of Communications and Marketing.
• Set and oversee visual brand identity and messaging for all college media.
• Manage critical projects and lead project teams for high-profile assignments.
• Develop and implement policies to ensure brand adherence across platforms.
• Establish design themes for the college's website and publications.
• Set strategy for media pitching and placement to increase external media coverage.
• Review and edit media releases, feature articles, and other publications.
• Supervise and advise on college and school website design and maintenance.
• Set strategy for video production needs to enhance the college's digital presence.
• Facilitate the implementation of project management tools for the communications team.
• Provide strategic communication counsel to the dean and assist with presentations.
• Write original material for publication and manage social media activities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications (PR or related field)
• 5+ years relevant experience
• Experience in multiple communications specialties (writing, editing, design, video, social media)
• Strong leadership and management skills
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills
• Understanding of video production and social media trends
• Proven project management skills
• Knowledge of communications strategy and branding in higher education
• Experience with digital and print publications, website development
• Excellent time management and prioritization skills
• Proficiency in industry-standard tools (InDesign, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, MS Office, WordPress)
• Ability to direct vendors (printers, writers, photographers, media teams)

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree in communications (PR or related field)
• 10+ years relevant experience, including supervisory experience
• Expertise in multiple communications areas (design, writing, media relations, marketing, strategy)
• Experience in higher education, government, or corporate communications

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid holidays
• Professional development opportunities
• Flexible scheduling