Communications Specialist - Finance & Administration and Human Resources - UTK

Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at University of Tennessee
Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at University of Tennessee

Accounting & Finance, Marketing & Communications, People & HR

Knoxville, TN, USA

USD 58k-62k / year

Posted on Jun 23, 2026
Apply now

Reporting to the Strategic Project Manager, the primary purpose of this position is to develop and to achieve communications goals. The position will develop communication plans, create content for internal and external audiences, implement social media campaigns, and design digital and print marketing materials. This position supports the communications needs of the Finance & Administration (F&A) and Human Resources (HR) departments.

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!
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) invites applications for a Communications Specialist to support the Finance & Administration (F&A) and Human Resources (HR) Departments. This position will provide day-to-day communication support to the Strategic Project Manager of HR with social media management, content creation, internal and external communications, print media, and promotion of department initiatives.

Required Qualifications

  • Education:
    • Bachelor’s degree in communications, related field, or relevant degree and 3+ years of related experience
  • Experience:

  • Writing/designing communications plans and advising departments and leaders in communications strategy

  • Writing for both internal and external audiences, including website/social media content, presentations, announcements, event and print content.

  • Webpage development software

  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Ability to analyze metrics and alter strategy
  • Strong oral and written communication skills
  • Exceptional time management skills, organization, and attention to detail
  • Ability to effectively use communication tools and software
  • Knowledge of graphic design principles
  • Knowledge of higher ed structure
  • Knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud and relevant digital editing tools
  • Understanding of social media management
  • Ability to manage to work with several team on several initiatives simultaneously

Preferred Qualifications

  • Education:
    • Master’s degree in communication or related field, and experience in higher education, finance, or human resources
  • Experience:
    • WordPress and SharePoint
    • MailChimp
  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
    • Ability to produce polished, audience-specific content
    • Proficient in data analytics
    • Extensive knowledge in email marketing platforms
    • Understanding of university governance, structure, and stakeholders

Work Location

  • Location: Knoxville, TN
  • Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

  • UT market range: MR09
  • Anticipated hiring range: $58K-$62K
  • 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

About The College/Department/Division

The office encompasses the operating units of Budget & Finance, The Bursar’s Office, Enterprise Resource Planning, Shared Services, and University Contracts. The AVC for F&A is responsible for implementing the day-to-day procedures while referring to fiscal policies set at the System level. The units serve as a central resource of financial information for the Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration. Each unit provides a critical function under the AVC for management, accountability, fiscal responsibility, and service to the university’s students, staff, faculty, and community.

The Office of Human Resources serves as the hub for UT employees, overseeing day-to-day operations on campus, as well as the well-being and development of the UT family. The units manage recruitment, onboarding, training, performance evaluation, employee relations, personnel data, and so much more. Additionally, HR handles benefits administration and creates a positive workplace culture by fostering collaboration and addressing employee concerns.

Asset Management

  • Manage primary web assets, such as the F&A and HR websites and intranet sites related to staff support.
  • Support and update content, communication revisions, and strategic planning for specific needs as they arise.
  • Promote department initiatives, updating messages, maintaining identity,
  • Create content for internal and external audiences.

Content Creation

  • Lead internal and external communications for F&A and HR, managing message strategy, and content functionality.
  • Produce and edit written, graphic, photo, and video content for web, digital, social media, and print.
  • Develop, coordinate, and refine content and messaging across web/digital channels and print publications.
  • Manage the content calendar, create/edit content and ensure alignment with the university’s key messages.
  • Design branded graphic collateral to promote events, printed materials, initiatives, and policies.

Planning

  • Develop, manage, and streamline communication for the F&A and HR departments and maintain a year-long communications plan.
  • Integrate initiatives, as well as the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Strategic Vision, into actionable communication plans.
  • Collaborate with university communications professionals.
  • Align with university branding and messaging strategy of the university.
Apply now
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