Senior Director of Strategic Communications & Media Relations

Senior Director of Strategic Communications & Media Relations – College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies, UTK

Knoxville, TN, (On-site)

Job Description

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, the Marketing Coordinator, the Events Manager and Events Coordinator, the position fosters collaboration, accountability, and innovation to advance CECS’s reputation, influence, and impact.

Responsibilities

Media Preparation & Strategy

Develop key messaging and talking points tailored for national and regional audiences

Coordinate media preparation for interviews, panels, and live broadcasts

Monitor current events and industry news to brief the Dean on relevant topics and potential questions

Draft and review press releases, op-eds, and statements for regional, national and global audiences to ensure consistency with the college’s mission and vision

Build and maintain relationships with reporters, editors, and producers to secure coverage and rapid response

Maintain and launch new CECS external‑facing events and activities such as webinars and newsletter columns

Strategically enhance the footprint of CECS’s social media presence on multiple platforms

Branding & Visibility

Advance and position CECS’s image and visibility in alignment with the College’s strategic priorities and overarching vision

Align the Dean’s public appearances with institutional strategic priorities and vision

Oversee social media presence, including curated content and live updates during key events

Prepare biographies, fact sheets, and background materials for introductions, panels, and profiles

Track and analyze media mentions and sentiment to inform strategy

Travel & Event Coordination

Prepare and deliver to the Dean a comprehensive monthly agenda outlining all scheduled travel and media‑related engagements

Coordinate and manage all associated logistics to ensure seamless execution before, during, and after each event

Accompany the Dean to designated engagements, serving as a professional representative while safeguarding the Dean’s time, focus, and presence

Build detailed travel itineraries, including key contacts, schedules, and briefing books

Coordinate with event organizers and hosts to ensure visibility and maximize networking opportunities

Prepare post‑trip debriefs highlighting outcomes, follow‑up tasks, and relationship management needs

Internal & External Communications

Align messaging with university leadership and system‑level communications teams

Ensure CECS maintains consistent, high‑impact visibility that reflects and advances the College’s mission and vision

Oversee and approve all internal and external communications prior to public release to safeguard accuracy, consistency, and brand alignment

Direct the timely development and distribution of all media formats (print, digital, and social), with particular attention to recurring publications and campaigns

Guarantee that all content is polished, strategically crafted, and tailored to its intended audience, including presentation materials and slides

Coordinate crisis communications and rapid response in high‑profile situations

Special Projects & Strategic Planning

Lead special visibility campaigns, including award nominations, speaking engagements, and thought leadership initiatives

Manage communications around high‑level collaborations with industry, government, and nonprofit partners

Develop and update annual public affairs and communications plans, including metrics for reach and impact

Operational & Administrative Support

Prepare comprehensive briefing materials before every public‑facing engagement

Maintain calendars, talking points, and priorities to ensure alignment across units

Serve as the coordination point between the dean’s office, marketing, communications, and external partners

Collaboration and coordination with CECS leadership and personnel

Collaboration and partnerships with university units such as the central communications office, provost’s communication team, enrollment management, registrar’s office, student success, and ORIED for informed and wide dissemination of CECS initiatives and brand

Supervisory leadership : Provide strategic direction and supervisory leadership to the Director of Campus Marketing and Communications and the Marketing Coordinator, fostering collaboration, accountability, and innovation while ensuring all efforts align with CECS’s marketing and communications priorities

Provide leadership, supervision, and guidance to the Events Manager and Events Coordinator

Qualifications

Required Qualifications – Education

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, management, or related field

Required Qualifications – 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

Preferred Qualifications – 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

Preferred Qualifications – 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

Preferred Qualifications – 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 attachments listed below :

Resume

Cover Letter

List of three professional references

About Us

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 Volunteers 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!

Job Information

Job Identification 5545

Job Category : Communication & Mktg

Job Schedule : Full time

Location : 1331 Circle Park, Knoxville, TN, 37996, US – On-site

The University of Tennessee is an EEO / AA / Title VI / Title IX / Section 504 / ADA / ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.

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