University of Tennessee

The Senior Director of Strategic Communications & Media Relations reports directly to the Dean of CECS and serves as a core member of the Dean’s Cabinet Leadership Team. This position provides senior-level leadership in strategic marketing, communications, and external affairs to strengthen CECS’s visibility and reputation nationwide and beyond. The Senior Director oversees branding and visibility efforts by aligning the Dean’s public appearances, speeches, and media presence with the College’s mission and institutional priorities, while managing the development of digital, print, and social content to ensure accuracy, consistency, and brand alignment.

The role also manages the Dean’s travel and event coordination for major events, ensuring seamless logistics, professional representation, and strategic engagement opportunities. In addition, the Senior Director leads special projects and visibility campaigns, develops annual communications plans with measurable outcomes, and serves as the central coordination point among the Dean’s office, marketing and communications staff, and external partners. Through strategic supervision of the Director of Campus Marketing and Communications and the Marketing Coordinator as well as the Events Manager and Events Coordinator, the position fosters collaboration, accountability, and innovation to advance CECS’s reputation, influence, and impact.

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!

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in political science, public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, management, or related field
• Experience
  • 5–7 years of professional experience in public affairs, communications, media relations, or similar high-profile roles
  • Demonstrated success in managing executive-level communications and media strategies
  • Experience in executive decision-making
• Skills & Competencies
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for diverse audiences
  • High attention to detail, excellent organization and time management skills
  • Proven ability to prepare leadership for national media interviews, including message development
  • Strong strategic planning and project management with the ability to meet tight deadlines
  • Experience coordinating travel logistics and high-profile events
  • Proficiency in digital media platforms, analytics tools, and media monitoring systems
  • Demonstrated proficiency in delivering consistent, high-impact internal and external communications that ensure accuracy, coherence, and alignment with institutional brand standards
• Professional Traits
  • High level of discretion and confidentiality with sensitive information
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively while managing multiple projects
  • Excellent interpersonal skills to liaise effectively with leadership, media, and stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in political science, public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, management, or related field
• Experience
  • Experience in higher education, government, or corporate executive communications
  • Track record of national-level media engagement and communication leadership
  • Previous support of a president, provost, dean, or C-suite executive
• Skills & Expertise
  • Knowledge of trends in public affairs, higher education, and technology sectors
  • Expertise in speech writing, presentation design, and multimedia storytelling
  • Data-driven strategy expertise, using analytics to optimize visibility campaigns
• Professional Traits
  • Political savvy and ability to navigate complex organizational and external dynamics
  • Experience managing communications under pressure with rapid turnaround
  • Advanced relationship-building with journalists, thought leaders, and high-profile stakeholders

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN
• Onsite

Benefits

• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

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

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References