Reporting to the vice chancellor, the operations strategist provides operational leadership for the Office of Communications and Marketing and works with the vice chancellor and executive leadership team to ensure resource capacity is measured and aligned with strategic priorities, while optimizing efficiency.

This position furthers transparency across the office through the use of internally focused reporting that provides clear, data-informed insight into OCM progress, resources and constraints.

The operations strategist role bridges strategy and execution—working with the office’s executive leadership, directors, and project managers to align operational systems, team capacity, and tools with divisional initiatives that support institutional goals.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business, journalism, or a related field

• At least 8 years of professional experience related to position responsibilities

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to serve as a strategic thought partner to executive leadership while maintaining operational oversight

• Experience leading operational process improvement in complex, matrixed organizations

• Experience using operational software platforms and workflow management tools (eg: Asana or similar systems)

• Knowledge of project management principles

• Ability to align operations with organizational goals, objectives, and priorities that support brand marketing and internal communications.

• Experience developing executive dashboards, planning documents, and data-driven briefings

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex operational data into clear strategic insight

• Ability to think strategically while also managing day-to-day operational needs

• Ability to identify gaps, inefficiencies and capacity risks and propose practical solutions

• Ability to influence others without direct authority and build consensus across teams

• Ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment

• Strong judgment, discretion, and organizational awareness

Preferred

• Master’s degree in marketing, communications, business, journalism, or a related field

• 10+ years of professional experience related to position responsibilities

• Experience working in a communications and marketing function

Work Location

• Knoxville, TN
• This is an onsite position with some hybrid work schedule flexibility

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR14
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here

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, and more. Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

For full consideration, applicants must apply electronically and submit a cover letter, resume, and the names, email addresses and phone numbers of three references. A minimum of two references should be current or previous supervisors.

About The College/Department/Division

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 professionals with expertise in design, development, video production, content strategy, feature writing, editing, marketing, media relations, internal communication, and special events.

Additional Information on all postings provided by UTK

Leadership Insights & Reporting

• Serves as a strategic partner to the vice chancellor and associate/assistant vice chancellors, advising on operational alignment, prioritization, and resource deployment.

• Anticipates operational risks, capacity constraints, and cross-functional challenges, elevating issues and recommending solutions.

• Designs and maintains executive-level dashboards and reporting frameworks that provide visibility into divisional performance, initiative status, capacity trends, and key outcomes.

• Synthesizes operational, campaign progress, and workload data into concise executive briefings for the vice chancellor and executive leadership team.

• Establishes and monitors internally focused key performance indicators (KPIs) and aligns with externally focused quarterly communications and marketing reports.

Process Development, Improvement & Documentation

• Leads the development, documentation, and continuous improvement of internal processes and workflows to promote consistency, efficiency, and clarity across the office.

• Partners closely with project managers and directors to design and refine operational workflows that support effective execution of campaigns and projects.

• Standardizes core workflows while allowing appropriate flexibility based on team or project needs.

• Identifies and implements operational enhancements that improve coordination and accountability.

Systems and Operational Infrastructure

• Provides oversight and strategic direction for content operations platforms and tools, ensuring they are configured and adopted to support organizational goals.

• Works collaboratively across the office to establish best practices and documentation for the use of office-wide platforms and tools, driving consistency across teams.

• Evaluates and implements system enhancements to improve visibility, reporting capability, and efficiency in internal operations.

Capacity Assessment and Planning

• Assesses team and organizational capacity, workload distribution, and resource utilization.

• Develops forward-looking analyses of capacity trends and delivery risks.

• Advises leadership on prioritization, sequencing, and resource alignment to support strategic objectives.

• Translates capacity and performance data into actionable recommendations for executive decision-making.