The Manager of Strategic Engagement serves as a key strategic partner to the Senior Vice Provost of Student Success (VPSS), supporting executive communications, brand management, and high-impact engagement initiatives. This role functions as the “voice and lens” of the VPSS, advancing divisional priorities through thoughtful storytelling, event strategy, and real-time engagement support. The position requires a high level of professionalism, discretion, creativity, and responsiveness in a fast-paced, highly visible environment.

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or related field

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a brand management or public relations role.

• Proven success in effectively managing and creating content for social media

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills

• Strong organizational and project management abilities

• High level of discretion and professionalism

• Creative storytelling and digital content development

• Exceptional social media experience, specifically with Instagram and LinkedIn

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment

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

Experience:

• Experience directly managing a brand digitally

• Event planning experience

• Experience in higher education

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN

• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR09

• Anticipated hiring range: Minimum $60,000

• 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.

• Resume

• Cover Letter

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or related field

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a brand management or public relations role.

• Proven success in effectively managing and creating content for social media

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills

• Strong organizational and project management abilities

• High level of discretion and professionalism

• Creative storytelling and digital content development

• Exceptional social media experience, specifically with Instagram and LinkedIn

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment

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

Experience:

• Experience directly managing a brand digitally

• Event planning experience

• Experience in higher education

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN

• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR09

• Anticipated hiring range: Minimum $60,000

• 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.

• Resume

• Cover Letter

About Our Division

The Division of Student Success (DSS) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is a nationally recognized unit that is redefining what student support looks like at a flagship university.

DSS serves the entire campus, with a particular focus on the undergraduate student experience. The division provides academic and career support to every undergraduate, while also leading cohort-specific initiatives such as University Honors, Rocky Top Scholars, and Veterans Success that meet the distinct needs of students across the university.

Led by Senior Vice Provost for Student Success and Chief Honors Officer Dr. Amber Williams, DSS has engineered a strategic, cultural shift from a deficit-based model to a strengths-based framework centered on student potential and well-being. Grounded in the PERMA Model of Well-Being and powered by Clifton Strengths, the division has driven historic gains since its inception in 2020: a record retention rate of 93.1%, a 71.4% four year graduation rate (an increase of 17.6 percentage points since 2019), four consecutive years of rising six-year graduation rates, and national recognition that has drawn more than 200 institutions to campus to learn from our approach.

Executive Communications & Brand Management (30%)

• Draft, edit, and coordinate speeches, talking points, correspondence, and formal remarks on behalf of the VPSS.
• Manage the VPSS’s professional voice and presence, including oversight of email communications and message alignment.
• Ensure consistency in tone, messaging, and strategic positioning across all executive communications.
• Serve as a liaison for communications-related requests, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and standards.

Strategic Content Development & Digital Storytelling (30%)

• Develop and execute content that highlights the VPSS’s leadership, engagement, and impact.

• Capture and produce real-time content (photography, video, social media) that reflects authentic, human-centered moments.

• Manage the VPSS’s social media presence, ensuring timely, engaging, and strategic storytelling.

• Partner with divisional and campus communicators to amplify messaging.

Event Strategy, Planning & Executive Engagement (15%)

• Lead planning and execution of high-profile events and initiatives (e.g., Vol Voices, Orange Dash, and similar programs).
• Coordinate and support smaller, high-touch engagement opportunities, including hosted events and stakeholder gatherings.
• Accompany the VPSS to events to provide real-time communication support, capture content, and manage logistics.
• Document key discussions, track follow-ups, and support meaningful stakeholder engagement

Team Collaboration & Operational Support (15%)

• Supervise and mentor student interns, supporting both program execution and professional development.
• Collaborate closely with the Lead Director, Chief of Staff, and Administrative Coordinator to ensure alignment between strategy and execution.
• Contribute to a cohesive, high-functioning team environment.
• Support additional initiatives and special projects as assigned.

Other Duties as Assigned (10%)