Media Strategist - Marketing and Public Relations

Title: Media Strategist: Haslam College of Business, Marketing & Public Relations - UTK

Location:

Knoxville, TN, United States

Job Description

This position oversees the development and promotion of a business college podcast and related digital marketing campaigns. The position requires a strong command of the written word and a background in editorial content creation. This role blends content strategy, research, digital storytelling, and audience engagement to expand the reach and impact of podcast programming across digital platforms. The Media Strategist unites communications, marketing, and academic partners to facilitate podcast content creation and digital promotion using social media and SEO/GEO/AEO best practices. This role directly influences the visibility, reputation, and audience engagement of Haslam’s podcast initiatives and digital marketing efforts, supporting college and institutional storytelling and outreach.

Responsibilities

Podcast Content Development:

• Serve as the subject matter expert to inform and shape the content of the HCB podcast
• Research, identify, and select potential podcast guests aligned with university priorities, academic expertise, and audience interests
• Develop and present episode concepts, discussion topics, and interview questions
• Prepare background research and briefing materials for podcast episodes
• Coordinate editorial planning, content calendars, and podcast-related activities
• Align podcast themes and messaging with institutional brand, mission, and storytelling goals
• Identify trends in higher education and student life to inform episode topics
• Draft episode outlines, show notes, titles, and promotional copy
• Review and refine content to ensure accuracy, clarity, and consistency with university standards
• Evaluate listener feedback and engagement metrics to inform future content decisions

Digital Marketing & Promotion:

• Develop and execute digital marketing strategies to promote podcast episodes and related initiatives
• Create compelling written and visual content to support podcast promotion across websites, social media platforms, digital ad campaigns, email campaigns, and other digital channels
• Apply SEO/GEO/AEO best practices to podcast descriptions, digital ads, show notes, web pages, and promotional content to increase discoverability and engagement
• Generate data-informed improvements to content strategy and digital outreach
• Coordinate with designers, videographers, and marketing colleagues to produce creative promotional materials

Social Media Management & Engagement:

• Manage and monitor social media accounts for the HCB podcast, including content creation, scheduling, posting, and community engagement
• Track audience engagement, respond to comments and messages as appropriate, and help foster an active online community
• Analyze social media and podcast performance metrics to inform content and promotional strategies
• Be primary content creator and manager of college-owned podcast social media accounts
• Episode and overall reporting of podcast analytics to college partners and admin

Collaboration & Support:

• Coordinate with campus partners, host, staff, agency partners, and external guests to support podcast production and promotion
• Stay current on podcasting trends, digital marketing best practices, and higher education communications strategies
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Digital Media, or related field
• Experience: 2–4 years of experience in podcast production support, digital marketing, social media management, or content development
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 
  • Excellent organizational and project management skills
  • Strong research and interview preparation abilities
  • Creative thinker with attention to detail
  • Ability to work collaboratively and manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment
  • Strong writing and editing skills with the ability to tailor content for multiple platforms
  • Working knowledge of SEO principles and digital content optimization
  • Experience managing social media platforms and engagement strategies

 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

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 
  • Experience working in higher education, media, or mission-driven organizations
  • Familiarity with podcast production workflows, platforms, and distribution channels
  • Experience using analytics tools to measure digital performance
  • Basic knowledge of audio or video editing tools

Work Location 

• Location: Knoxville, TN

• This position is hybrid, with 4 days in office and 1 day remote.  

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market range: 09
• 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. 

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

• Candidates are encouraged, though not required, to share a portfolio or link to any previous work, including campaign elements, creative assets, or production samples that demonstrate their experience.

About The College/Department/Division 

The Office of Marketing and Public Relations at the Haslam College of Business is dedicated to maintaining the college’s brand and identity while sharing the compelling stories of its students, alumni, faculty, and staff. Our work spans marketing campaigns, public relations, advertising, and analytics. We support executive and strategic communications for senior leadership and manage a range of publications and digital channels to shape and amplify the college’s voice.

About the Haslam College of Business  

The Haslam College of Business, founded in 1914, sets the standard in developing future business leaders whose work positively impacts the world. More than 11,000 undergraduate, graduate and executive education students are taught by 290 faculty with dedicated staff members facilitating their needs. Haslam programs consist of seven departments and nine undergraduate majors. Its eight centers, institutes and forums, as well as its myriad graduate and executive education programs, reach across the for profit, not-for-profit and governmental sectors of business, with a heavy emphasis on practical research. UT was founded in 1794 and was designated as Tennessee’s land-grant institution in 1879.  

About Us

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.  

Job Info

• Job Identification8460
• Job CategoryCommunication & Mktg
• Job ScheduleFull time
• Locations 2200 Sutherland Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37919, US