Digital Content Specialist

The Office of Communications and Marketing at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, seeks applications and nominations for the position of digital content specialist. The digital content specialist determines direction for, creates, and executes research digital content strategy across platforms.

UT is the state's flagship research university, a campus of choice for outstanding undergraduates, and a premier graduate institution. As a land-grant university, the institution fulfills its access mission through a commitment to excellence in learning, scholarship, and engagement.

The Office of Communications and Marketing is dedicated to advancing the university's reputation. Staff members support the institution's mission and goals, promote its successes and achievements, inform and engage its stakeholders, and ensure the integrity of its brand. We craft audience-focused communications based on data, best practices, and emerging trends.

The division comprises several cross-functional teams, employing more than 50 full-time professionals with expertise in design, development, video production, content strategy, feature writing, editing, marketing, media relations, internal communication, and special events.

We seek candidates who can contribute in meaningful ways to the diversity and intercultural goals of the university.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Determines, creates, and executes digital content strategy to maximize the UT Research identity across multiple digital platforms and channels, including making decisions about and creating strategic content for various channels, helping determine content roll out plans, and posting research-related content.

• Leads decision making on design, build, editing, and content placement for research-related websites using user-centered design principles and web standards. Sites primarily include the research.utk.edu multisite. Maintains sites and content to maximize the UT Research identity, SEO performance, and user experience for key audiences.

• On behalf of the team and the office, directly liaises with campus partners to maximize content placement and elevation.

• Works with the Research Project Manager to direct the focus and work of agency vendors to ensure digital products target UT Research needs and brand identity.

• In coordination with the Marketing, Creative, Video, and Digital teams, writes, build graphics, edits, and/or otherwise prepares copy and multimedia content for social media, websites, enewsletters, and other future platforms that meet the established UT Research brand identity.

• Makes decisions on look and feel of templates for enewsletters; builds and distributes enewsletters to targeted audiences, including creating and editing customized content. Determines content order and audience segments to maximize performance.

• Manages the research LinkedIn and Twitter/X accounts; works with university social media manager to determine strategy and alignment with university channels and uses data to inform strategy and execution of content to increase peer perception of UT Research and faculty achievements. This includes writing copy, creating multimedia content for posts, and determining post timing.

• Mentors other members of OCM on strategies and processes for digital content execution.

• Monitors engagement across all digital platforms. Provides feedback to digital marketing analysts as they prepare quarterly reports.

• In coordination with Marketing team, tracks performance of digital marketing campaigns. Makes recommendations for improvements.

• Maintains and updates targeted distribution lists of peers for enewsletters. Monitors engagement and makes suggestions to improve engagement.

• Conducts ongoing research of digital activity of peer, target, and aspirational institutions to help inform and evolve team's strategy and awareness. Advises team on required improvements and leads execution.

• Attends team meetings and client meetings; makes suggestions to improve team processes and functionality.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of Google Analytics

• Knowledge of SEO and digital content strategy best practices

• Knowledge of LinkedIn and other social media platforms

• Knowledge of smart email marketing platforms (such as Emma)

• Knowledge of managing website content in a CMS (such as WordPress)

• Knowledge of creating and optimizing multimedia for multiple digital platforms (to include imagery, graphics, and video)

• Knowledge of using Adobe Creative Cloud suite, including PhotoShop, Premier, Illustrator, InDesign, Spark, XD, and others, or ability to learn these software platforms

• Knowledge of user-centered design, web standards, and web accessibility standards

• Knowledge of foundational digital marketing strategies

• Good interpersonal communication skills

• Ability to work on multiple projects with rolling deliverables

• Ability to meet deadlines

• Ability and interest to learn new complementary skills in the digital space

• Ability to act professionally and interact with team members and campus partners

• Provides and is receptive to feedback and constructive criticism

• Desire to protect and promote the university's reputation

Qualifications

Required:

Bachelor's degree in a communications or related field and three years of progressive experience related to job responsibilities, which may include internships or student employment.

Preferred:

Bachelor's degree in a communications or related field and four years of progressive experience related to job responsibilities.

Salary

The hiring range for this position is Market Range 10. Salary is dependent on qualifications and experience.

Benefits

The university offers a highly competitive benefits package that includes health insurance and retirement plans through the State of Tennessee, generous annual and sick leave accruals, longevity pay, tuition waivers and discounts, discounted athletics tickets, and more.

Application Process

A review of all applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, applicants must apply electronically through Taleo and submit a cover letter, resume, and the names, addresses and phone numbers of three references. A minimum of two references should be current or previous supervisors.