Responsibilities

• Leads the development and execution of an integrated university-wide marketing and communications strategy.
• Protects and strengthens the UT Martin brand across all platforms and audiences.
• Ensures consistent visual identity, messaging, and brand standards throughout the institution.
• Partners closely with the Chancellor, Enrollment Management, Advancement, Athletics, and academic leadership to develop integrated strategies that strengthen student recruitment, enrollment, retention, alumni engagement, fundraising, and institutional reputation.
• Monitors market trends, higher education communications practices, and competitive positioning.
• Serves as the university's chief spokesperson or designates appropriate spokespersons.
• Oversees media relations, press releases, news coverage, and public information activities.
• Develops proactive communications strategies that enhance the university's visibility and reputation.
• Manages relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets.
• Provides communications counsel to the Chancellor, Cabinet, and other university leaders.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, business, or a related field.
• Eight or more years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, broadcast media, print journalism, public relations, media relations, or brand management, including significant leadership responsibility.
• Understanding of, appreciation for, and commitment to the Be One UT values.
• Uncompromised integrity and ethics.
• Strong organizational skills and high attention to detail with the proven ability to manage multiple, competing priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to thrive in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Exceptional judgment and discretion in the management of confidential, protected, and sensitive information.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to use data to improve communications and marketing effectiveness.
• Demonstrated success leading comprehensive, integrated marketing and communications strategies.
• Experience supervising professional staff and managing budgets.

Preferred

• Doctorate degree in a related field.
• Experience in higher education marketing and communications.
• Knowledge of enrollment marketing, digital strategy, and brand management.
• Experience working with executive leadership, governing boards, and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of event planning and of fundraising communications support.
• Knowledge of Tennessee public records laws and related university guidelines.
• Knowledge of Division I NCAA intercollegiate athletics.
• Ability to think and plan strategically and to align marketing and communications activity with institutional goals and priorities.
• Ability to lead, supervise, and develop a communications team possessing diverse skills and talents while managing multiple projects at once.
• Ability to work across university divisions, departments, and offices and with a variety of internal and external stakeholders and opinion leaders.

Benefits

• The university offers a comprehensive benefits package, including excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, and more.