The Director for Communications and Marketing serves as the University's chief communications and marketing officer and reports directly to the Vice Chancellor of Integrated Enrollment and Brand Strategy. The Director provides strategic leadership for the university's communications, marketing, brand, public relations, digital strategy, executive communications, crisis communications, creative services and institutional reputation.
As a key principal advisor, the Director helps shape institutional strategy by providing thoughtful counsel grounded in sound judgment, discernment and a deep understanding of higher education, public perception and stakeholder engagement. The Director translates institutional priorities into integrated communications and marketing strategies that strengthen the university's reputation, elevate its brand and advance enrollment, fundraising, advocacy and strategic initiatives.
The Director serves as a thoughtful steward of the UT Southern brand, ensuring communications consistently reflects the university's mission, values and aspirations while supporting the broader University of Tennessee System brand. Through collaboration with campus leaders, faculty, staff, students and the UT System Division of Communications and Marketing, this leader strengthens the university's visibility, builds trust among key audiences and advances the UT Southern strategic plan, as well as the UT System strategic plan.
The successful candidate leads with professionalism, integrity and humility, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement while exemplifying the Be One UT values in every interaction.
Strategic Leadership, Executive Counsel and Reputation
Serves as UT Southern and the Chancellor's chief communications and marketing advisor, providing strategic counsel on institutional priorities, reputation management, public engagement and executive communications.
Translates institutional priorities into integrated communications and marketing strategies that support enrollment, student success, fundraising, community engagement and institutional advancement.
Anticipates emerging issues and opportunities while exercising sound judgment and discernment in advising university leadership.
Leads communications planning for major institutional initiatives, organizational change and executive decision making.
Builds confidence and trust through proactive, transparent and authentic communication.
Brand Strategy and Marketing
Effectively stewards the UT Southern brand while ensuring alignment with the University of Tennessee System brand architecture and governance.
Develops integrated marketing strategies that increase awareness, consideration and affinity among prospective students, families, alumni, donors, community leaders and other stakeholders.
Guides audience research, brand perception studies and market analysis to inform communications and marketing strategies.
Champions audience-centered marketing that leverages storytelling, digital engagement, research and analytics to achieve measurable outcomes.
Identifies opportunities to strengthen the university's reputation through innovative marketing, strategic partnerships and earned/owned/paid media.
Works collaboratively with UT Southern's Department of Finance and Administration to support the university's trademark licensing and brand compliance program by ensuring adherence to University of Tennessee policies, procedures and brand standards; and effectively preserve the integrity, consistency and value of the UT Southern brand.
Communications Leadership
Provides leadership and execution strategies for media relations, executive communications, internal communications, creative services, digital communications and social media.
Leads crisis communications planning, issues management and emergency communications, and collaborate with UT System Administration officials when applicable in accordance with the UT System crisis communication protocols and procedures.
Ensures communications consistently reflect institutional priorities and reinforce the university's mission, vision and values, alongside the UT System’s Be One UT values.
Oversees development of speeches, strategic messaging and communications for executive leadership.
Collaboration and Organizational Leadership
Fosters a collaborative communications and marketing culture that exemplifies the UT Southern mission, vision and values, alongside the UT System Be One UT values.
Develops strong partnerships across academic and administrative units and throughout the UT Southern campus community.
Leads and mentor communications and marketing professionals while creating opportunities for growth and innovation.
Promotes continuous improvement through data-informed decision making and operational excellence.
External Relations and Community Engagement
Represents UT Southern with professionalism among media, community organizations, government officials, alumni and external partners.
Builds relationships that enhance the university's visibility, reputation and public trust.
Serves as an ambassador for UT Southern throughout Southern Middle Tennessee and across the state.
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 visa status.
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
Exceptional discernment and sound judgment, particularly in sensitive, complex and high-profile situations.
Unquestioned integrity, professionalism and discretion.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to use data to improve effectiveness.
A deep commitment to exemplifying the UT Southern and Be One UT values through collaboration, respect, accountability and service.
Executive presence and the ability to influence through trust and credibility.
Emotional intelligence, humility and resilience.
A strategic mindset that balances long-term vision with operational execution.
Exceptional listening skills and the ability to build consensus across multiple and different constituencies.
Commitment to evidence-based decision making through research, analytics and audience insights.
A passion for storytelling that advances the UT Southern's mission and inspires engagement.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree and master’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, business administration or a related field
Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible communications and marketing leadership experience, including advising senior executives.
Demonstrated success leading integrated communications, special events, marketing, branding and reputation management strategies that achieve measurable results.
Expertise in strategic communications, executive communications, crisis communications, media relations and storytelling.
Demonstrated ability to develop data-informed strategies, establish performance metrics and evaluate marketing and communications effectiveness.
Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage complex projects and build consensus across diverse stakeholder groups.
Exceptional leadership, interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence, collaborate and communicate effectively with executive leadership and internal and external stakeholders.
Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, including strong editing proficiency and knowledge of Associated Press Style.
Demonstrated strategic thinking, sound judgment, discernment, professionalism and the ability to manage confidential and sensitive matters with integrity.
Experience leading organizational change, fostering innovation and mentoring high-performing teams.
Experience supervising professional staff and leading cross-functional teams.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in higher education, public service or another mission-driven organization.
Experience leading enterprise brand strategy, brand governance and integrated marketing initiatives.
Experience conducting and applying quantitative and qualitative audience research to inform strategy.
Experience with digital accessibility (ADA Title II), website strategy and content management systems.
Experience using analytics and reporting platforms and marketing performance dashboards.
Experience with paid media, audience targeting, campaign measurement and marketing optimization.
Experience managing agency, vendor and licensing relationships.
