Assistant Director of Communications, Creative - College of Communication and Information - UTK

The College of Communication and Information (CCI) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, seeks applications and nominations for a full-time Assistant Director of Communications, Creative to join the team of professionals within the CCI Office of Communications and Marketing. This position supports the Director of Communications and Marketing in the development and execution of strategic visual storytelling and creative initiatives to enhance CCI’s brand and engagement. This role will lead the creative team and oversee the development, design, and execution of creative assets and multimedia content for the college, including videography, photography, graphic design, and other visual communication initiatives. With a focus on authentic storytelling, this position will lead the creation of compelling visual narratives that showcase the work and achievements of CCI students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The Assistant Director of Communications, Creative is responsible for overseeing all phases of creative development from concept to completion while providing creative direction and stewardship of the college’s visual identity to ensure projects align with university brand standards, strategic priorities, and a cohesive brand presence across platforms.

The position requires commitment to accuracy, meeting deadlines, and supporting effective relationships with campus and external constituencies. In addition to strong visual storytelling and creative leadership skills, the position calls for adaptability, flexibility, and sound judgment in the management of multiple projects and competing priorities. This position works collaboratively with other CCI Office of Communications and Marketing team members, the Dean’s Office, and supports schools and units across the college to provide stories to further enhance marketing and outreach efforts, focused on student recruitment and donor relations. The Assistant Director of Communications, Content reports to the Director of Communications and Marketing.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications in visual communications, graphic design, journalism, marketing communications or a similar field

• Experience: Three-five years of experience in graphic design, videography, creative communications, or public relations setting

• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, including graphic design, phot editing, illustration, vector graphics, video editing, and motion graphics

  • Advanced knowledge of videography, photography, audio recording, and post-production including experience shooting in a variety of environments and editing video, audio, interviews, and podcasts

  • Familiarity with audiovisual, lighting, photography, and video equipment, as well as livestreaming and video platforms such as Zoom, Vimeo, and other streaming technologies

  • Experience designing and producing print and digital marketing materials, including brochures, catalogs, posters, flyers, promotional materials, and trade show displays

  • Knowledge of web and social media multimedia requirements, accessibility standards, and industry best practices

  • Strong creative problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects, meet tight deadlines, work independently, and collaborate effectively as part of a team

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 visual communications, graphic design, journalism, marketing communications or similar field

• Experience: Five-seven years of experience in graphic design, videography, creative communications, or public relations settings. Experience leading multimedia communications at an institute of higher education, government agency, or company.

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN

• Onsite, Hybrid, or Remote: Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR09

• Anticipated hiring range: $63,000-$73,000

• 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:

• Resume

• Cover Letter

• Portfolio or work sample list highlighting relevant multimedia projections. The submission should include a brief description of the applicant’s role and contributions to each project. Portfolios may be submitted in various formats, including PDF, personal website, online portfolio, or links to published work.

• Finalists will be required to provide 3 professional references

About The College/Department/Division

At the College of Communication and Information, we strive to ignite students’ passions so they can carry on the torch of excellence. Once they become a part of the CCI community, they’ll learn to be innovative leaders, thinkers, and Volunteers in whatever calling they choose to follow in the communication and information world.

We are part of a Land Grant Institution embedded in communities to make those communities a better place. Our alumni, students, faculty, and staff strive to positively impact the lives of people in our state through our teaching, scholarship, creative work, and through our engagement and service. CCI as a college is well poised to deliver upon all of those areas to become the most nationally distinctive but locally relevant College of Communication and Information in the country.

Creative Team Leader:

• Lead the college’s creative strategy and provide creative direction for visual storytelling, including videography, photography, graphic design, and multimedia content.

• Supervise and guide creative team members and student interns, overseeing projects from concept through final production to ensure quality, consistency, and timely delivery.

• Collaborate with the CCI Office of Communications and Marketing to develop and execute creative campaigns and storytelling initiatives that support student recruitment, alumni engagement, and donor relations.

• Oversee CCI’s visual identity and brand stewardship across print and digital platforms, ensuring alignment with university brand standards, strategic priorities, and emerging creative trends.

Videography/Digital Asset Management:

• Lead video production strategy and oversee projects from concept through completion, including storyboarding, script development, filming, editing, captioning, and branding

• Produce high-quality photography and videography that showcases CCI’s people, programs, events, and accomplishments across websites, social media, email marketing, presentations, and other platforms

• Collaborate with the CCI Communications and Marketing team to develop compelling visual content that strengthens the college’s digital presence, storytelling, and brand identity

• Manage digital photo and video assets, college display content, and production equipment, ensuring organized resources, consistent branding, and reliable production capabilities

Graphic Design/Creative:

• Develop and execute creative concepts and graphic design solutions for print and digital communications, including publications, marketing campaigns, promotional materials, websites, email, and presentation templates, ensuring alignment with UT brand guidelines.

• Manage the creative project workflow from concept through production, collaborating with team members, campus partners, printers, and vendors to ensure high-quality deliverables, timely completion, and adherence to project budgets.

• Maintain and strengthen CCI’s visual identity across all platforms by ensuring design consistency, presenting creative concepts, and incorporating industry trends and best practices.

Strategic Alignment and Brand Voice:

• Help shape the college’s creative vision and public brand presence by contributing to creative strategy, brainstorming, content planning, and quality standards across platforms and campaigns

• Serve as primary communications liaison for assigned CCI schools and units, building strong campus partnerships, gathering audience feedback, and coordinating communications needs, special initiatives, and college-wise events