Description
Communications and Marketing Professional, Smith International Center

The Smith Center for International Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) is seeking a full-time Communications and Marketing Professional to lead the communications of the global engagement of UTIA.

The Smith Center was established in 2017 with a mission of empowering UT faculty, staff and students to develop sustainable food systems solutions that benefit the lives of the poor and hungry, by feeding the world while restoring the planet. https://smithcenter.tennessee.edu/

The primary goal of this position is to elevate the messaging of the global work being conducted by faculty, staff and students across UTIA. The person holding this position will provide creative leadership in communicating the globally-oriented work of UTIA. This position will liaise with UTIA, UTK and UT System Marketing & Communications offices, UTIA Advancement, and other departments and units across UTIA, as needed, and work closely with centralized global messaging led through the Communications office in the UTK Center for Global Engagement.

This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued donor funding of the grant and satisfactory performance.

Responsibilities

This is a full-time appointment reporting directly to the Smith Chair in International Sustainable Agriculture, located at UT’s Knoxville campus. The responsibilities of this appointment include:

Lead the development of the UTIA global engagement communication strategy in alignment with the new Smith Center strategic plan, and with other units across UTIA. Develop effective strategy that includes communication to internal (to UT) and external (to current and potential partner agencies, donors, organizations, and institutions) audiences. Determine what information is communicated and how it is communicated based on the global engagement communication strategy. (25% time)Produce various types of written and other digital media outputs to help translate the global work of UTIA into accessible formats for internal and external audiences (including donors, federal agencies, foundations, and the general public). Works with the Smith Center team and consults with UTIA units and personnel (faculty, staff and students) to understand the global engagement of UTIA, and prioritize what information to communicate, and how to communicate it through a range of media outputs, including news releases, reports, flyers, brochures, summary documents, policy briefs, and other written materials. Develop video and other digital media outputs to communicate the work of the Smith Center and global engagement work of UTIA faculty, staff and students. Lead the implementation of a comprehensive global engagement presence across UTIA, through leading the management of the Smith Center website and social media accounts, and providing expert advice and input to other UTIA units on methods and opportunities to further their communications about global engagement. (50% time)Collaborate with the UTK Center for Global Engagement, UTIA Advancement, and offices of Communications and Marketing (UTIA, UTK and UT System), on development and editing of written and other digital media outputs that convey the global work of UTIA faculty, staff and students in conjunction with faculty, staff and students across other colleges and units at UTK and across the UT System. (25% time)

About UTIA

UTIA, through its colleges, research and education centers, and county extension offices, serves the people of Tennessee and beyond through the discovery, communication and application of knowledge. UTIA is made up of four units that provide instruction, research and public service: AgResearch, the Herbert College of Agriculture, the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and UT Extension. UTIA’s main campus is in Knoxville, Tennessee, but the institute also operates 10 Research and Education Centers throughout the state, as well as having a presence in all 95 counties through Extension.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications and Experience:

Bachelor’s DegreePrevious experience developing communication and marketing materials.

 

Preferred Qualifications and Experience:

Master’s Degree in agricultural and/or natural resource communications, international agriculture, global development, journalism, or related discipline.Previous experience living and/or working outside the United States.Previous experience working in higher education.Relevant field of study including communications/marketing and/or agriculture/natural resources.

 

Required Skills: 

Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills.Ability to produce creative content in various platforms and formats. Excellent time management skills. Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.Knowledge of global agricultural and/or natural resource programming. Ability to influence and persuade diverse audiences to new ideas, concepts or programs.Ability to organize, integrate, and effectively relay information to UT and external audiences.Ability to solve problems and act on own initiative.Skilled in commonly used software such as Microsoft Excel, Word.Ability to learn and use various software, including databases and website management, and social media.

 

Preferred Skills:

Knowledge of international agriculture programming particularly in higher-education settings.Ability to develop video content.Skilled in use of multiple forms of electronic communication.

To apply

Qualified persons should complete an online application and submit 1) a letter of application detailing their ability to carry out the responsibilities of the position as described, 2) a curriculum vitae or resume, 3) at least two examples of communication or marketing materials that the applicant has developed as evidence of quality work, and 4) names and contact information (address and telephone number) of three references. Application letters should be addressed to: Dr. Tom Gill, Smith Chair in International Sustainable Agriculture, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, 2640 Morgan Circle, Knoxville, TN 37996. Questions regarding the position may be sent to the chair of the search committee, Dr. David Ader, at dader@utk.edu (865-974-7747).

Clear background check and official transcripts will be required prior to starting employment.

Salary is commensurate with experience.

First review of applicants will begin January 24, 2022 and will continue until a suitable candidate is identified.

Job: Other Professional
Primary Location: US-Tennessee-knoxville
Organization: International Programs - Res
Schedule: Full-time
Job Posting: Jan 18, 2022, 1:31:59 PM