Communications Specialist - Digital Learning - UTK

The Communications Specialist leads the strategy, design, and execution of email
and SMS campaigns within the Digital Learning customer relationship management
(CRM) systems. This role is highly email-build centric, responsible for coding,
designing, testing, and deploying dynamic, data-driven communications that
support student acquisition, engagement, and conversion through to graduation.


RESPONSIBILITIES

Digital Assets

* Lead the design and build development and execution of email and SMS-centric
marketing and retention automation tactics, including triggered communication
campaigns, behavioral targeting, omni-channell sequencing, and integrated
advertising tactics to drive acquisition and conversion.

 

* Architect, design, and optimize automated customer journeys within the CRMs
and marketing automation platforms, leveraging advanced segmentation,
personalization logic, dynamic content, and lifecycle mapping to improve
engagement across all audience segments using UX and design best practices
through accessible email templates.

 

* Design, code, and deploy responsive, mobile-first HTML email campaigns. Build
modular, reusable templates using a combination of hand-coded HTML/CSS and
email builder tools; develop custom components; and ensure cross-client
compatibility across major email clients and devices.

 

* Create compelling, brand-aligned visual assets and graphics to support email
and digital campaigns, ensuring consistency in typography, layout, and visual
hierarchy to enhance user experience and performance.

 

* Establish and enforce a comprehensive QA and testing framework for all
digital communications, including code validation, rendering tests, link
validation, personalization checks, accessibility compliance, and performance
verification prior to deployment.

 

* Ensure compliance with email marketing regulations and data privacy
standards, including CAN-SPAM, GDPR, and institutional policies, while
maintaining proper consent management protocols.

 

* Stay current on emerging trends in email development, automation technology,
accessibility standards, and digital design best practices to continuously
improve campaign performance and technical execution.

 

Performance Optimization & Experience Quality

* Establish and manage a structured testing framework for all communications
deployed through CRMs and automation platforms, with a primary focus on UX/UI
presentation, layout integrity, responsiveness, and brand consistency across
devices and email clients.

 

* Conduct comprehensive rendering and usability testing to validate visual
hierarchy, readability, accessibility standards, interactive elements, and
mobile-first design performance prior to deployment.

 

* Collaborate with communications and other teams to evaluate and optimize
email and SMS content for clarity, engagement, and conversion, including
subject lines, calls-to-action, content structure, imagery, and
personalization elements.

 

* Execute A/B and multivariate testing strategies across subject lines, content
blocks, creative variations, and send times to refine creative approach and
user flow; analyze results and implementing enhancements based on observed
engagement patterns.

 

* Perform ongoing quality audits of automated journeys to ensure sequencing,
pacing, and user experience remain aligned with enrollment and retention
objectives and institutional brand standards.

 

Relationship Development & Cross-Functional Collaboration

* Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including designers,
copywriters, developers, and marketing stakeholders, to ensure seamless
execution of email and digital communication campaigns.

 

* Partner with the communications and creative teams to align on UX/UI
standards, visual hierarchy, responsive design principles, accessibility
requirements, and brand consistency across all email and SMS touchpoints.

 

* Work in tandem with copywriters and designers to refine messaging, layout
structure, and interactive elements to enhance user engagement and optimize
the overall digital experience.

 

* Facilitate cross-departmental alignment with internal teams and campus
partners to ensure communications support enrollment and retention goals
while maintaining technical and creative excellence.

 

* Build strong collaborative relationships that promote shared ownership of
campaign quality, user experience, and continuous design improvements


QUALIFICATIONS


REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

* Education: High School Diploma or GED

* Experience: 

-6 years of experience in marketing, communications, and/or higher education
(recruitment, admissions, enrollment, student services, student success
preferred) or combination of other relevant experience such as part-time work.

 

-Demonstrated experience in customer relationship management (CRM) and email
marketing platforms, as well as intermediate to advanced knowledge of HTML and
CSS.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

-Intermediate knowledge of UI/UX best practices for email and other types of
marketing communications including but not limited to SMS

-Intermediate level knowledge and skills in Adobe Creative Suite 

-Sound knowledge of digital marketing and communication principles

-Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

-Proficient in Microsoft office (word, excel, powerpoint) Solid writing and
copy-editing skills; knowledge of basic style guides such as AP and Chicago
Manual of style.

-Strong organizational, planning, and project management skills.

-Strong attention to detail; marketing/creative project management experience

-Ability to multitask and think critically

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.

Referred Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in related field

Experience:

-5+ years of experience in email marketing, audience-focused communications,
and/or omni-channel marketing

* -Higher education experience (recruitment, admissions, enrollment, student
services, or student success communications)

* -Demonstrated experience in Salesforce Marketing Cloud and/or Education
Cloud. 

* -Demonstrated experience in Slate.

* -Demonstrated experience in designing and testing emails for accessibility in
Litmus or other testing platform


WORK LOCATION

* Preferred: Hybrid in
Knoxville, TN. This position does have the potential for a fully remote
working capacity


COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

* UT market range: MR 09
* Target Salary Range: $62,000- $75,000
* Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
[https://hr.tennessee.edu/pay/market-ranges/]
* Find more information on UT Benefits here
[https://hr.tennessee.edu/benefits/]


APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To express interest, please apply with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full
consideration, completed applications with
all requested materials should be submitted

Required: 

* Resume

* List of 3 Professional References

Additional Documents Preferred: 

* Cover Letter

* Portfolio of email designs personally built by the candidate

 

Screening of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position has been filled.
DL_UT

 

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.


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!