The Publicity and Promotions Coordinator is responsible for developing and implementing publicity and promotional strategies to increase the visibility and reach of UT Press's publishing list. Reporting to the Sales & Marketing Manager, the coordinator works closely with authors, the Sales & Marketing Manager, and media outlets to coordinate events and marketing, generate buzz, drive sales, and enhance brand reputation.

Since its founding in 1940 as the state's book publisher, the primary mission of the University of Tennessee Press has been to support and enhance the University's place as a major research institution by publishing both outstanding works of scholarship by writers throughout the world and books of interest to general readers. In support of its mission, the Press publishes titles in many disciplines, including anthropology, American history—particularly related to the nineteenth century, American Civil War, and African Americans—Appalachian studies, sport & popular culture, and material culture. The Press is a member of the Association of University Presses.

• Publicity & Promotion
  • Develop & maintain marketing, publicity, & customer database
  • Coordinate bookstore, library, & other events
  • Plan & execute online events
  • Collaborate on & implement conference strategy
  • Develop & maintain close relationships with local & regional press
  • Prep authors for promotional interviews, tours, events
  • Manage awards submissions
  • Execute social media strategy
  • Communicate publicity strategies & details to authors & coordinate author schedule
  • Assist with promotion of author platforms & activities
• Marketing & Advertising
  • Oversee production of semiannual catalogs, including freelance work, design, printing, & delivery
  • Implement digital strategy, including managing social media & website content, podcasts, eNews, & blogs, integrating with UT Libraries marketing & website strategies
  • Oversee seasonal promotions
• Public Relations & Outreach
  • Monitor & manage the reputation of the press, online & in print
• Management/Strategy
  • Manage the work of interns and freelancers
  • Lead strategic publicity & promotion efforts
• Administrative/Collaboration
  • Collaborate with Sales & Marketing Manager on goals, strategies, & budgets
  • Collaborate with IT, design, & editorial on metadata preparation & distribution for retailers/distributors
  • Maintain editorial calendars
  • Implement workflow for advertising of new titles
  • Collaborate with Sales & Marketing Manager on marketing reports for Library Administration
  • Collaborate with Marketing on publicity & promotion budgets

Required Qualifications

• Education:
  • High school diploma or GED
• Experience:
  • Paid or volunteer experience in publicity, promotion, and/or marketing
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Strong knowledge of traditional and digital media landscapes, including familiarity with social media platforms and digital marketing tools.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft engaging copy and present ideas effectively.
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
  • Creative thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a proactive and results-oriented mindset.
  • Familiarity with analytics tools to track and measure campaign performance.
  • Established connections and/or the ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with media contacts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education
  • Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, or related field
• Experience
  • Experience in publicity in the publishing industry
  • Demonstrated experience with publicity campaigns
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Graphic design education or experience.
  • Love of books and learning and a genuine interest in the publishing industry and its trends.

Work Location

• Knoxville, TN On-site

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR06
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To be considered for candidacy, you must submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

About The College/Department/Division

The University of Tennessee Libraries serves as the flagship campus of Tennessee’s premier public research university. The University of Tennessee holds the Carnegie Foundation Research 1 designation, granted to doctoral universities with very high research activity. You can learn more about UT Libraries at https://www.lib.utk.edu/about/.

The UT Libraries champions diversity in collections and staffing. The University of Tennessee is committed to creating a welcoming environment. More information about how we put our principles of civility and community into action is available at https://www.lib.utk.edu/belonging/.