Communications & public relations manager - institute of american civics - utk

This position leads the development and execution of communications and marketing initiatives for the Institute of American Civics (IAC). Reporting to the Executive Director, this position collaborates with cross-functional team members to develop and implement marketing strategies and campaigns that advance the Institute's visibility, academic programming, civic engagement initiatives, student opportunities, and external partnerships.

The Communications & Public Relations Manager serves as a primary marketing resource for IAC and is responsible for developing original content, managing digital communications, promoting events and programs, and ensuring that marketing activities are aligned with the Institute's mission, goals, and University brand standards. The position works collaboratively with IAC leadership, faculty, staff, students, campus partners, and external stakeholders to translate complex academic, civic, and public policy initiatives into engaging content for a variety of audiences and platforms.

The position exercises professional judgment in determining appropriate messaging, communication channels, creative direction, timelines, and approaches for assigned initiatives. The individual manages multiple projects simultaneously, evaluates marketing effectiveness through research and analytics, and makes recommendations to improve audience engagement and the visibility of IAC programs and initiatives.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Marketing Strategy & Campaign Management

• Develops and implements integrated marketing and communications plans that support IAC's strategic priorities, programs, events, and initiatives.
• Translates IAC goals, programs, and complex subject matter into clear, engaging communications for students, faculty, policymakers, community members, media, donors, and other external audiences.
• Develops and manages marketing campaigns across digital, print, social media, email, web, and other appropriate communication channels.
• Establish campaign objectives, audiences, messaging, deliverables, timelines, and measures of success.
• Provides recommendations to IAC leadership regarding marketing strategies, audience engagement, communication channels, and promotional opportunities.
• Leads marketing projects and provides work directions to contributors, student employees, freelancers, vendors, or other project partners as appropriate.

Content Development, Writing & Editing

• Serves as a primary content creator and editor for IAC marketing and communications initiatives.
• Research, writes, edits, and develops original content for newsletters, website stories, feature stories, announcements, press materials, email campaigns, social media, brochures, flyers, presentations, and other promotional materials.
• Creates cohesive communications from information gathered from multiple sources, including faculty, staff, students, external partners, and program materials.
• Interviews with subject matter experts and conduct research to develop accurate and compelling stories highlighting IAC's programs, people, scholarship, partnerships, and impact.
• Edits content for accuracy, clarity, structure, flow, style, tone, and brand consistency.
• Ensures communications are appropriate for the intended audience and effectively communicate IAC's mission, programs, and accomplishments.
• Develops and maintains consistent messaging and content standards across marketing channels.
• Adapts content for multiple platforms and audiences while maintaining a consistent Institute voice and brand identity.
• Develop presentations and other visual or written materials to support programs, events, outreach, and external engagement.

Digital and Social Media Support

• Develops and manages social media strategies and content calendars aligned with IAC programming and marketing priorities.
• Creates and publishes content across platforms.
• Monitors social media engagement, audience trends, and campaign performance and recommends adjustments based on results.
• Utilizes tools such as Sprout Social and Monday.com (or similar systems) to manage campaigns and deliverables.
• Develops digital campaigns and email communications to promote programs, events, initiatives, and opportunities.
• Manages website content pertaining to current programs and initiative and works with appropriate University partners to ensure IAC web content is accurate, current, accessible, engaging, and consistent with University and IAC standards.
• Captures, curates, and manages photo, video, and other multimedia content for use across digital and promotional channels.

Event and Program Marketing

• Collaborates with the internal teams to design and execute marketing campaigns for Institute programs including IAC lectures, conferences, student programs, civic engagement initiatives, and other Institute events.
• Works with IAC leadership and program teams to identify marketing objectives, target audiences, messaging, and promotional opportunities for events and initiatives.
• Develop presentation materials and visual assets aligned with brand standards.
• Develops event timelines and manages communications deliverables to ensure marketing activities are completed on schedule.
• Represents IAC at conferences, conventions, community events, or other external engagements as appropriate.

Marketing Operations, Analytics & Logistical Support

• Coordinates print production and vendor communications.
• Establishes and maintains organized project plans, schedules, content calendars, and digital archives for marketing initiatives.
• Conducts research and analyzes marketing and audience data to evaluate campaign effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Maintains awareness of current marketing, communications, social media, and higher education trends and recommends innovative approaches appropriate for IAC.
• Collaborate with the Baker School Office of Communications and Marketing, University Communications and Marketing, and other campus partners to ensure alignment with university standards and best practices.
• Works with the IAC leadership to ensure marketing activities align with available resources.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree; in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or related field to the Institute of American Civics preferred; or equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant professional experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of communications standards and branding principles.
• Knowledge of content development, digital marketing, social media, branding, and audience engagement strategies.
• Familiarity with social media analytics and engagement metrics.
• Strong professional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a higher education environment.
• Skilled in conducting simple research, interviews, writing, and copy editing in producing well-written content.
• Skilled in applying attention to detail, being organized, and working effectively with minimal supervision.

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

• Preferred experience using project management platforms (e.g., Click Up) and social media management tools (e.g., Sprout Social).
• Preferred familiarity with event management software (e.g., Bizzabo, Cvent, or Eventbrite).
• Professional 1-3 years’ experience supporting communications, marketing, or digital content initiatives preferred.

Work Location: Knoxville, TN (UTK campus)

Compensation and Benefits:

UT Market Range: MR09

Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here

Find more information on UT Benefits here

To express interest, please apply with the noted below attachments:

• Cover Letter
• Resume

About the department Academic Programs - Institute of American Civics

Institute of American Civics

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!