The University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI) seeks a Director of Communications and Marketing to lead all internal and external campus communications and marketing efforts within the Office of Campus Communications and Marketing (OCCM). The Director sets the strategic direction, vision, creative standards, operational management, and administrative direction for communications that advance UTSI’s image and reputation within the community, state, nation, and world.

This position plays a key role in advancing UTSI’s long-term strategic goals, including increasing research activity, recruiting and retaining high-caliber undergraduate and graduate students, securing additional funding through campaigns and endowments, improving visibility and reputation, and promoting alumni communication and support. Reporting directly to the Associate Dean/Executive Director, the Director serves as the Executive Director’s principal communications advisor, represents UTSI through external presentations and outreach, and leads campus crisis communications.

Responsibilities

Develop Communication Strategy, Align Collaborations, and Execute Plans (50%)

Lead the development, formalization, and execution of a comprehensive, long-term communications and marketing strategy that advances UTSI’s mission, strategic priorities, reputation, student recruitment, research initiatives, fundraising efforts, and institutional visibility.
Research higher education, marketing, and communications trends to keep UTSI efforts innovative, competitive, and aligned with industry best practices.
Develop and execute integrated marketing, advertising, and recruitment campaigns across multiple channels and media platforms to increase awareness, enrollment, stakeholder engagement, and public support.
Advise the Executive Director and develop executive messaging, speeches, presentations, official campus communications, and strategies for high-profile initiatives, sensitive matters, and executive priorities.
Lead campus branding initiatives to ensure publications, websites, digital media, social media, and marketing consistently reflect the University of Tennessee brand while promoting UTSI’s unique identity and mission.
Build collaborative relationships with Tickle College of Engineering communications, UT communications and marketing offices, media partners, vendors, community organizations, and external stakeholders to coordinate messaging and university priorities.
Provide strategic communication guidance and resources to UTSI departments, including Academic Affairs, Research, Student Services, Finance, the UT Administrative Office, and academic departments.
Serve as campus lead for crisis communications, coordinating with leadership, emergency personnel, and university partners to verify information and provide accurate, timely, and consistent official messaging.
Represent UTSI through presentations, public speaking, community and professional organizations, industry and government partnerships, alumni events, recruitment activities, legislative visits, and other outreach opportunities.
Direct campus-wide communication initiatives and identify emerging opportunities and reputational risks, recommending proactive strategies that strengthen UTSI’s image, engagement, and reputation.

Set and Oversee Visual Brand Identity and Messaging Across Print and Digital Platforms (25%)

Manage critical communications projects and lead project teams responsible for high-profile or campus-wide assignments.
Develop UTSI communication and branding policies and establish design themes and messaging tone for publications, annual reports, recruitment materials, stewardship initiatives, digital campaigns, and other communications.
Write or closely edit high-profile communications for style, tone, structure, and consistency.
Set media pitching and placement strategy to increase external coverage and campus visibility; review media releases, feature articles, video scripts, web content, social media messaging, and executive speeches.
Partner with UT advancement and development offices on alumni communications, donor stewardship, and campaign communications.
Provide strategic oversight of campus and departmental website design, redesign, content, and maintenance, and communicate priorities, progress, and outcomes to campus leadership.
Set video production strategy and review, edit, and approve scripts for final production.
Implement creative and project management tools that improve the effectiveness and efficiency of campus communications.
Develop and deliver presentations on behalf of UTSI at campus events, external meetings, professional organizations, community functions, and stakeholder engagements.

Directly Supervise Communications Employees and Operations (20%)

Provide expert guidance; assign and prioritize work; establish deadlines; and approve quality and accuracy.
Hire, train, supervise, mentor, develop, evaluate, and discipline communications staff; set performance expectations; provide coaching and feedback; and support professional development, succession planning, and continuous improvement.
Delegate and review assignments for quality and consistency; approve annual leave and overtime; and make recommendations regarding merit increases.
Make final recommendations regarding hiring, training, and disciplinary actions for communications employees.
Direct staff work so marketing, branding, communication, outreach, and event activities align with UTSI strategy and campus priorities.
Recommend future communications staffing and operational needs to campus leadership.
Manage external relationships with vendors, partners, and media representatives.

Plan and Manage Office Operations, Including Budgets (5%)

Determine resource allocation for OCCM personnel, marketing initiatives, software, and equipment.
Develop project budgets that include personnel, production, vendor or freelance, and equipment costs.
Plan, maintain, and execute the departmental budget, with authority to commit funds for communication-related services and equipment, including advertising, printing, photography, video production, multimedia services, software, and technology.
Recommend funding commitments for communications projects supported by other departments and oversee related estimates and budgets.
Recommend commitments above departmental budget limits; final approval in those situations rests with the Associate Dean/Executive Director.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field. An equivalent combination of training and experience may be substituted as described below.

Experience:

Five years of progressively responsible communications and marketing experience. In lieu of a bachelor’s degree, eight years of progressively responsible relevant experience may be substituted.
Experience across multiple communications specialties and demonstrated collaboration with writers, editors, designers, web developers, photographers, videographers, and marketing professionals.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Exceptional leadership and management skills, with the ability to build collaboration, teamwork, and strong working relationships across campus.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including editing and writing for print, web, video, social media, and public presentations.
Strong knowledge of video production, digital communications strategy, social media trends, and emerging communication platforms.
Strong project management, time management, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage complex projects and multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment while maintaining quality.
High-level knowledge of communications strategy and branding within higher education or public-sector environments.
Creative skill in graphic design, writing, branding, and visual storytelling.
Knowledge of industry-standard publishing and communication tools, including Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, website content management systems, and video-editing software.
Ability to direct vendors and external service providers, including printers, photographers, videographers, designers, media buyers, and multimedia professionals.
Ability to communicate sensitive information effectively during campus emergencies or crises while coordinating with campus leadership and appropriate university officials.

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, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field.

Experience:

Five years of progressively responsible relevant experience, including supervisory experience leading a communications team.
Experience conducting communications and marketing work within higher education, government, research, engineering, or science-related organizations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Expertise across multiple communications specialties, including design, writing, media relations, marketing, branding, crisis communications, and communications strategy.

Work Location

Location: University of Tennessee Space Institute, Tullahoma, Tennessee
Work arrangement: Onsite
Schedule: First shift, with occasional evening, weekend, and overnight travel requirements
Valid driver’s license required

Compensation and Benefits

UT market range: MR13
Anticipated hiring range: $80,000 - $85,000
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 Division

The University of Tennessee Space Institute is a graduate education and research institution located in Tullahoma, Tennessee. UTSI advances education, research, and innovation in aerospace, engineering, science, and related fields through collaboration with the Tickle College of Engineering, university partners, government agencies, industry, and the surrounding community. OCCM leads the institute’s communications, marketing, branding, media relations, digital presence, and outreach in support of UTSI’s academic, research, recruitment, advancement, and institutional priorities.

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.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

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. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!

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