Assistant Director - Outreach and Assessment - University Housing - UTK
University Of Tennessee College
Knoxville, TN, USA
This position leads University Housing outreach and customer service efforts and coordinates communications and assessment marketing to support student recruitment, retention, and a high-quality student/family experience. In close collaboration with Student Life Communications, the role co-develops and implements department-wide messaging and communication plans for major Housing processes, contributes to social media and email strategy and performance metrics, and ensures brand-aligned content.
The position also establishes service standards and case-management procedures for tracking and resolving concerns, supervises staff supporting tours/customer service/content, and manages the annual marketing budget including vendor oversight.
This position directs and supervises all activities associated with department outreach to students, families, and campus partners. The Assistant Director leads and directs work related to student recruitment and retention, supports and coordinates departmental messaging of standard and emergent processes in collaboration with Student Life Communications, and ensures timely and effective customer service and satisfaction for students and families. The role supports the development and implementation of marketing approaches in the marketing strategy for departmental assessment.
Required Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in communication, English, Marketing, or related field.
- Experience: 3 years full-time university housing experience, or equivalent.
- Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Knowledge of general business processes associated with providing housing accommodations; Knowledge of data management systems; Knowledge of complexities of a University environment; Skilled at written communication, coordination of processes, and customer service; Skilled at supervision; Skilled at data management and compiling complex reports; Ability to implement new technologies and adapt business practices accordingly; Ability to manage multiple priorities; Ability to lead and work within a stressful environment.
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 student personnel, Higher Education, Marketing, Administration, Hospitality Management, or related field
- Experience: Experience working in a customer service or communications role.
- Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Specific knowledge of WordPress and social media management software; Skilled at writing in Chicago style.
Work Location
- Location: Central University Housing Office, Magnolia Residence Hall, 2107 Andy Holt Ave
- Onsite
Work schedule will include occasional weekends, evenings and overnight travel
Compensation and Benefits
- UT market range: MR10
- 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. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted fully.
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- List of 3 Professional References
About The College/Department/Division
The Division of Student Life is comprised of an outstanding group of professionals who create student-centered opportunities that contribute to a transformative Volunteer Experience. These opportunities allow students to grow their skills and knowledge outside of the classroom. From health and wellness to service and engagement, we provide opportunities where students exemplify the Volunteer Spirit, inspiring others to learn, lead, and serve.
Our departments provide essential services that support student success and future growth, fostering engagement, leadership, and wellness while enhancing belonging. Together, they create transformative experiences that help students achieve both academic and personal goals.
Customer Service: The role develops and implements University Housing recruitment and retention strategies. In collaboration with Student Life Communications, it supports planning and execution for major housing processes by coordinating scalable, student-centered communication and content strategies aligned with division strategy. The position also strengthens cross-unit collaboration and data-sharing, sets service standards for prospective student tours, and markets assessment efforts to communicate program impact.
Communication: In close collaboration with Student Life Communications, this role serves as the primary liaison for University Housing, supporting the alignment of departmental messaging with divisional communication strategy. The position coordinates the implementation and assessment of communication plans, contributes to social media and email content development, and facilitates the review of externally facing content to ensure consistency with division and institutional standards.
Supervision and Financial: The role co-develops and manages University Housing’s annual marketing budget. It also designs staffing structures and directly supervises three full-time staff and student employees. Additionally, the position directs front desk operations and implements strategies to expand service capacity during peak-volume periods to improve responsiveness and service quality.