The Director of Communications develops communications and marketing plans to achieve goals established by the Provost’s Office and campus partners and oversees execution of these plans. Working with Provost’s Office leadership, the position determines the creative direction, visual tone, and goals of Provost’s Office communications and strategies to advance and support university initiatives. The position also develops content for internal and external communications, including campus-wide messages, social media posts, graphics, print pieces, videos, and executive communications such as talking points and presentations. Reporting to the associate provost and chief operating officer, the director works collaboratively with communications leaders across academic affairs areas.
Develops, tracks, and ensures the execution of communications strategy for the Office of the Provost. Duties include development of overall strategy and message calendars with clear goals; development and execution of social media strategy; coordination with Provost’s Office leadership on communications projects; outreach to faculty; assessment and refinement of communications strategy based on analytics; crisis communication planning and response; and serving as a leader or collaborator on strategic communications that advance campus initiatives and strategic priorities.
Leads development of executive communications, including speeches, talking points, presentations, and summaries.
Supervises and mentors the office's communications specialist in support of executing communications plans.
Creates high-profile, high-impact content to support communications objectives for the Office of the Provost and the university. Content development includes leading and executing include highly sensitive communications that require confidentiality and careful coordination. Content includes, but is not limited to, campus-wide messages, major news announcements, graphics, and videos.
Has responsibility for all strategy and content for the Office of the Provost external website and internal intranet sites and manages all Provost’s Office social media in alignment with the office's and campus's social media strategy and practices.
Oversees the office's visual identity, in alignment with university brand standards, and oversees or executes development of print pieces and artwork.
Develops and tracks success metrics, adjusting strategies and tactics as part of plan execution.
Develops and maintains an extensive knowledge base on communications procedures and practices.
Works with vendors on communications content and event management.
Represents the Office of the Provost and serves as the lead communicator for the Provost's Office in campus-wide communications initiatives.
Serves as primary point of contact within the Provost's Office for the University Marketing and Communications office and for communications directors across all academic affairs areas.
Ensures Provost’s Office communications are consistent with campus-wide communications plans, campaigns, and branding strategies.
Maintains knowledge of communications trends and tools, especially social media; ensuring the Provost’s Office communications are in alignment with best practices and standards.
Monitors critical issues in higher education and planning for possible impacts for the Provost’s Office.
Other duties as assigned.
Required
Education
Bachelor’s degree
Experience
5 years of experience in a communications role, including experience in project management; leadership and supervision; development and execution of communications plans; collaboration across multiple levels of leadership to provide guidance on communications strategy; writing for multiple audiences on tight deadlines; creation of social media strategy and content; creation of graphics for digital and print media; creation of video content; creation of Web content and management of websites; customer service; creation of impactful print pieces; crisis communications; and use of content management systems and industry standard software (Adobe suite of software)
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Outstanding writing skills
Outstanding visual communications skills including graphic design and video creation
Ability to work and prioritize in a fast-paced environment
Ability to manage and lead staff
Ability to develop short-term and long-term communications plans that reach audiences and achieve objectives
Ability to photograph and edit impactful images for use in graphics, social media, and print pieces
Ability to design high-impact print pieces that support communications objectives
Ability to collaborate effectively in a complex organization with multiple campus partners
Ability to manage multiple projects and work with variety of stakeholders across campus at multiple levels of leadership
Knowledge of analytics in context of communications objectives and ability to gather and report data on effectiveness of communications and develop recommendations based on those evaluations
Knowledge of Web content management systems
Detailed knowledge of Web accessibility standards, Web best practices, and the principles of user-centered design
Knowledge of social media trends and best practices
Exceptional time management skills, organization, and attention to detail
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 or related field
Experience
10 years of experience in communications, including leadership and project management at a higher education institution
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of higher education trends and issues
Work Location
The position is located onsite at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Compensation and Benefits
UT market range: MR12
Anticipated hiring range: $85k - $100k
Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
Find more information on UT Benefits here
Application Instructions
To express interest, please apply with the noted attachments below:
Resume
Cover Letter
Sample portfolio of your work. The portfolio could include PDFs, hyperlinks, and/or image files. When uploading images or work samples, please include clear labeling that includes your first and last name.
To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before December 4, 2026.
About The College/Department/Division
The Office of the Provost's purpose is to support an exceptional academic experience for students and to cultivate a workplace where faculty thrive in their teaching, research, and service. The office advances UT’s academic, research, and service mission through coordination of the student journey from application to graduation, oversight of faculty hiring and development, and providing deans with guidance and support on major university initiatives. Learn more at provost.utk.edu.
