Enrollment Communications Manager - Digital Learning - UTK

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

Marketing & Communications, Software Engineering, Data Science

Knoxville, TN, USA

USD 79k-83k / year

Posted on Jul 14, 2026

The Enrollment Communications Manager contributes to the development and execution of a comprehensive digital engagement strategy to attract, convert, and nurture prospective students to enroll in UT fully online programs. Working in concert with the Director of Enrollment and Retention Communications, the Manager will manage internal relationships with partner areas within Digital Learning and with university partners to translate enrollment and student success objectives into scalable, data-driven marketing and communications campaigns as part of a sustainable communication ecosystem across multiple platforms and CRMs.


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 Enrollment Communications Manager contributes to the development and execution of a comprehensive digital engagement strategy to attract, convert, and nurture prospective students to enroll in UT fully online programs. Working in concert with the Director of Enrollment and Retention Communications, the Manager will manage internal relationships with partner areas within Digital Learning and with university partners to translate enrollment and student success objectives into scalable, data-driven marketing and communications campaigns as part of a sustainable communication ecosystem across multiple platforms and CRMs.

Required Qualifications

Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in communications or related field
Experience:
• 5+ years of experience in marketing, communications, and/or higher education or combination of other relevant experience including internships, assistantships, or part-time work.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
• Proven track record (5+ years) managing customer-relationship and email-marketing platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Slate, HubSpot), including platform selection, configuration, and team oversight.
• Exceptional verbal and written communicator, adept at presenting complex strategies to senior leadership and cross-functional partners.
• Strong organizational planner who oversees multiple initiatives concurrently setting priorities, allocating resources, and driving projects from kickoff through delivery.
• Deep understanding of marketing and communication principles; able to define channel strategies (email, SMS) and establish QA, approval, and compliance frameworks.
• Hands-on knowledge of HTML/CSS to guide technical teams and ensure campaign fidelity.
• Skilled at synthesizing quantitative insights—compiling and analyzing performance data, translating results into actionable recommendations, and making high-impact decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams and work effectively with internal staff and external vendors.
• Comfortable juggling competing priorities, anticipating risks, and applying critical thinking to solve complex challenges.

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 or related field
Experience:
• 7+ years of experience in marketing, communications, and/or higher education (recruitment, admissions, enrollment, student services, student success preferred) or combination of other relevant experience including internships, assistantships, or part-time work.
• Experience in the higher education sector (recruitment, admissions, enrollment, student services, or student success communications)

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
• Intermediate to advanced experience in Slate and/or Salesforce Marketing Cloud
• Advanced skills in presenting complex campaigns and reports to leadership
• Experience working with a project management system (Asana preferable)
• Higher education experience and working with internal teams to execute omni-channel marketing campaigns

Work Location

• This position is based on-site in Knoxville, TN, with the opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement
• For exceptional candidates, the hiring manager may consider a fully remote work arrangement. Remote eligibility will be evaluated throughout the interview process.

Compensation and Benefits
• UT market range: MR 10
• Target Salary Range: $79,000-$83,000
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Materials
Applicants should submit:
• Resume/CV
• Cover letter
• Three professional references


About The College/Department/Division
Digital Learning at UT, is a unit charged with advancing UT’s commitment to discovery, creativity, learning, and engagement, specifically for online learners. Using advanced and innovative technologies, Digital Learning at UT will provide scalable solutions that enhance the online learning experience and reduce barriers to student access and success, providing a tremendous impact to online learners across the state and the nation. At Digital Learning, we want to be bold and impactful, transforming the future of online education through innovative thinking and collaborative problem-solving. Join our dynamic and inclusive Digital Learning team where we take pride in teamwork, excellence, and a shared commitment to shaping the future through education and innovation.
Additional Information on all postings provided by UTK


Strategic Planning & Campaign Execution
• Translate overall university and Digital Learning objectives into a marketing automation approach that delivers progress toward established goals.
• Own the implementation of marketing automation initiatives and multi-channel campaigns (email, behavioral targeting, lead prioritization & qualification, and SMS).
• Oversee journey design: advanced segmentation, dynamic personalization, automation triggers, and iterative optimization of touchpoints.
• Supervise email and SMS marketing efforts: iterative testing, deliverability monitoring, and engagement analytics—ensuring industry-leading open and click rates, funnel movement, and engagement through application cycles for marketing emails and automated enrollment coach outreach.
• Improve, manage, and implement a rigorous email QA process that ensures quality in all marketing activity in keeping with the UT brand


Data Architecture, Quality Assurance & Compliance
• In close partnership with Digital Learning’s Applied Innovation team, manage the development and maintenance of data extensions, relational schemas, and integration points across CRM, Marketing Cloud, Data Cloud/CDP, and third-party platforms.
• In partnership with the Digital Learning teams above, enforce communication data governance standards—naming conventions, field mappings, and documentation—to protect data integrity and scalability.
• Manage a rigorous data and design QA and approval workflow that guarantees accuracy, brand consistency, and accessibility for all messaging.
• Ensure compliance with CAN-SPAM, GDPR, FERPA, Accessibility, and other relevant regulations in partnership with Legal and Privacy teams.

Relationship Development
• Manage relationships with cross-functional teams, including Student Outreach & Engagement’s enrollment leadership and coaching teams and Applied Innovation’s CRM team to ensure successful campaign execution and scalability.
• Collaborate with campus partners on shared CRM initiatives to develop coordinated student experiences and tailor messaging for online students.
• Run bi-weekly and monthly internal meetings with the goal of project and audience alignment, campaign launch & performance tracking, team efficiency, and cross-functional communication.

Performance Optimization & Innovation
• Champion a test-and-learn culture—drive A/B testing, analyze results, and scale winning tactics across programs and pathways to enrollment.
• Monitor KPIs and maintain performance reports and work with CRM team to build custom reports for new campaign types. Present insights and optimization plan to leadership as needed.
• Stay abreast of emerging MarTech trends (AI personalization, real-time orchestration, chatbots, ringless voicemail) and pilot new tools to elevate prospective student engagement.