Director of Strategic Communications & Media Relations: University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture

The Director of Strategic Communications and Media Relations provides leadership, direction, training, and management for the communications and media relations division within the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture’s (UTIA) Office of Marketing and Communications. Reporting to the Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Communications, the Director leads a high-performing team responsible for strategic communications, media relations, social media, video news, and public relations. The Director develops and implements an integrated communications strategy across earned, owned, and shared media channels to strengthen UTIA’s reputation, protect its credibility, inform and engage key audiences, and elevate its impact across Tennessee and beyond. A positive leader and strategic thinker, the Director ensures communications initiatives are aligned with the university’s land-grant mission, strategic priorities, and institutional voice.

Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Leadership

• Serves as the leader of the communications and media relations division of the department using extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. 

• Develops, leads, and executes a comprehensive strategic communications and media relations strategy aligned with UTIA priorities.

• Directs the development of compelling stories that highlight UTIA’s research, Extension, and academic impact.

• Builds strong relationships with faculty and subject matter experts and maintain deep knowledge of their work. 

• Partners with senior leadership and communicators to ensure consistent, strategic messaging across units. 

• Represents UTIA Marketing and Communications on selected committees, task forces, and ad hoc meetings. 

• Leverages data and analytics to inform strategy and measure effectiveness. 

• Serves as a trusted strategic communications advisor to the Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Communications and institutional leadership on issues related to reputation management, public perception, messaging, and communications strategy.

• Leads, mentors, and manages a team of communications professionals, fostering growth and development; oversees performance management including evaluations and recommendations for compensation adjustments. 

• Establishes clear priorities, workflows, and standards to ensure timely and accurate delivery of work. 

• Leads strong collaboration across all unit divisions to ensure coordinated institutional communications. 

• Serves on the Vice Chancellor's marketing and communications leadership team.

• Cultivates a collaborative, innovative, accountable, and enjoyable team culture.

Media Relations and Crisis Communications

• Leads proactive and innovative media outreach and cultivate relationships with local, state, national, international, and trade media. 

• Ensures the development of compelling news releases, feature stories, and media materials by providing strategic direction, editorial oversight, and writing support as appropriate. 

• Directs crisis communications strategy, including planning, messaging, and rapid response; provides strategic counsel on emerging issues. 

• Provides high-level media training and communications guidance to leadership and subject matter experts. 

• Oversees the monitoring of media coverage and regularly reports insights to the team and internal stakeholders. 

• Positions UTIA as a trusted, authoritative voice through timely and strategic engagement. 

Social Media Strategy and Multimedia Production

• Advises on social media trends, platforms, content development, and campaigns to increase engagement, expand reach, and maximize effectiveness.

• Monitors trends and platform changes to adapt strategies and maximize effectiveness. 

• Oversees the implementation of integrative social media and digital efforts with broader communications and marketing initiatives. 

• Provides strategic direction for multimedia storytelling and video news production that supports earned media, public relations, and institutional communications.

Public Relations and Stakeholder Engagement

• Leads public relations efforts that elevate UTIA’s visibility and reputation statewide and beyond. 

• Builds and sustains relationships with agricultural partners, including industry groups, agencies, and organizations. 

• Partners with the UT System and UT Knoxville Offices of Communications and Marketing on editorial content and issues, when appropriate.

• Identifies and advances strategic coordinated campaigns and earned media opportunities that highlight UTIA’s impact. 

• In collaboration with the Vice Chancellor, implements an internal communication plan that informs key internal audiences of organizational initiatives and integrates external communications and activities across all areas of the organization. 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Education: 

  • Bachelor’s degree in communications or related field 

• Experience: 

  • 6+ years of experience in communications and media relations work. 

  • At least two of those years in a leadership position.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Expert level knowledge and leadership in strategic communications, media relations, and public affairs.

  • Proven ability to build relationships with executive leaders, media, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders.

  • Strong ability to lead a high performing communications team, foster collaboration, and support a culture of accountability and innovation.

  • Experience leading crisis communications and issues management.

  • Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.

  • Demonstrated ability to translate complex academic or scientific information for public audiences.

  • Knowledge of media analytics and communications measurement tools.

  • Excellent organizational skills with the ability to succeed in a fast-paced environment.

  • Exceptional customer service skills and professional demeanor.

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:

• Education: 

  • Master’s degree in communications, and/or journalism field preferred.

• Experience: 

  • Relevant work experience preferred.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Advanced knowledge of analytics and media effectiveness measurement tools.

  • Knowledge of digital asset management systems.

  • Exceptional knowledge of video production for news and social media.

  • Knowledge of agriculture and natural resources. 

Work Location:

• Location: Knoxville, TN

• This is an onsite position with some hybrid work schedule flexibility.

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market range: 13

• Anticipated hiring range: ($80,000 to $93,500)

• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here

• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions:

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before September 24, 2026.

• Resume

• Cover Letter

About The College/Department/Division:

The Office of Marketing and Communications advances the mission and reputation of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) through strategic marketing, communications, and brand leadership. A nimble, collaborative, and innovative team, the office partners with leaders and units across UTIA to build awareness, strengthen relationships, inform and engage key audiences, share the impact of UTIA’s work, and ensure a consistent and compelling expression of the UTIA brand.

UTIA is composed of UT AgResearch, UT Extension, the Herbert College of Agriculture, and the UT College of Veterinary Medicine. Established in 1968, the Institute brings together all of the academic disciplines of agriculture and is one of the few land-grant university institutes of its kind in the country. Through Real. Life. Solutions. created and delivered by UTIA experts, the Institute improves lives in Tennessee and beyond—one discovery, one community, one classroom, one home, and one farm at a time.

 utia.tennessee.edu