Edtech.com's Summary

University of Tennessee, Knoxville is hiring a Communications Specialist - Digital Learning - UTK to build and run the email and SMS campaigns that carry online learners from acquisition through graduation inside the Digital Learning CRM systems. The role is heavily email-build focused, combining HTML and CSS coding, visual design, and rigorous testing to deliver personalized, data-driven messages. The specialist works alongside designers, copywriters, developers, and campus partners to keep every message accessible, on brand, and aligned with enrollment and retention goals.

Highlights

Lead the strategy, design, and execution of email and SMS campaigns, including triggered messages, behavioral targeting, and omni-channel sequencing, within the Digital Learning CRM and marketing automation platforms.
Architect automated customer journeys that use segmentation, personalization logic, dynamic content, and lifecycle mapping to raise engagement across every audience segment.
Code responsive, mobile-first HTML emails and modular reusable templates in hand-written HTML/CSS and email builder tools, along with the graphics that support them, so they render consistently across major email clients.
Run A/B and multivariate tests on subject lines, content blocks, creative variations, and send times, then apply the engagement results to improve later campaigns.
Enforce a QA framework covering code validation, rendering tests, link checks, personalization checks, and accessibility compliance before any message is deployed.
Keep campaigns compliant with CAN-SPAM, GDPR, and institutional data privacy policies while maintaining consent management protocols.
Need six years of marketing, communications, or higher education experience (recruitment, admissions, enrollment, or student success), plus demonstrated CRM and email marketing platform work and intermediate to advanced HTML and CSS skills.
Prefer experience with Salesforce Marketing Cloud or Education Cloud, Slate, and accessibility testing of emails in Litmus, along with five or more years in email or omni-channel marketing.
The target salary range is $62,000 to $75,000 per year.
Hybrid work in Knoxville is preferred, with the potential for a fully remote arrangement.

Communications Specialist - Digital Learning - UTK Full Description

Job Description

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.

Preferred 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

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.

EEO/AA Statement / Non-Discrimination Statement

The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.

Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), ADEA (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the (EEO). Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the EEO office.

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Communications Specialist - Digital Learning - UTK

Edtech.com's Summary

Communications Specialist - Digital Learning - UTK Full Description

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