Job Details

Tech Communications Specialist - Digital Learning at UT - UTK

Position Number: 6645764
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Position Type: Public Relations, Marketing and Communications

Tech Communications Specialist - Digital Learning at UT - UTK
Knoxville, TN, United States

Job Identification: 5456
Job Category: Data Analytics
Posting Date: 10/13/2025
Job Schedule: Full Time
Locations: 1331 Circle Park, Knoxville, TN, 37996, US

Job Description
The Tech Communication Specialist designs, builds, and maintains data automations for student-focused communications in Salesforce Marketing Cloud (SFMC). Leveraging Journey Builder and Automation Studio, this role writes and optimizes SQL queries, orchestrates data automations, manages subscriber data/preference centers, and closely partners with internal and occasionally external stakeholders to help deliver data for personalized messages that improves recruitment, retention, and engagement.

Responsibilities
Journey & Automation Development

Build data for single-send, multi-step, and transactional journeys that incorporate Entry Events, Decision/Random/Engagement Splits, Wait, and Update Contact activities to guide students through recruitment, onboarding, and retention touch-points.
Configure data to help implement predetermined Goals and Exit Criteria so journeys automatically evaluate success and remove contacts who achieve their objective.
Orchestrate data for scheduled or event-triggered automations that import files (SFTP, API), refresh Data Extensions, execute SQL activities, and invoke Journey Entry.
Monitor run history, concurrency limits, and error logs in Automation Studio; restart or roll back failed workflows and communicate incident status.

SQL Query Development

Write and optimize complex queries (joins, CTEs, window functions) for segmentation, suppression, data hygiene, and journey branching logic.
Document queries in a version-controlled repository; schedule them as discrete activities or bundle inside automations with data extracts and email sends.

Subscriber Data & Preference Management

Design scalable Contact Builder data models, attribute groups, and data relationships to support large student populations.
Maintain Publication Lists, Suppression Lists, and self-service Preference Centers that honor FERPA, CAN-SPAM, and GDPR-like requirements.
Leverage API or Automation Studio File Import activities to keep subscriber attributes, consent flags, and mobile opt-ins synchronized with SIS/CRM systems.

Testing, QA & Troubleshooting

Use Journey Builder test mode, validation, and Query Studio to test the data powering dynamic content.
Implement automated alerting (email/SMS/Slack) for automation failures; analyze Journey Health, drop-off points, and deliverability metrics to recommend fixes.

Collaboration, Enablement & Reporting

Gather requirements from Communications, Learner Services, and Academic Engagement; translate them into journey data maps and schemas.
Build dashboards in Marketing Cloud Intelligence or BI tools alongside the Communications Team to help track campaign performance, goal achievement, and student-lifecycle KPIs; present data insights and next-step data optimizations.

Qualifications
Required

Knowledge of SFMC modules (Journey Builder & Automation Studio, Query Studio. Analytics Builder, Contact Builder, etc.).
Skill in writing advanced SQL (joins, sub-queries, CTEs) for segmentation and data hygiene.
Ability to architect Data Extensions and relational data models that support large student datasets.
Skill in AMPscript/SSJS and basic knowledge of HTML.
Knowledge of REST/SOAP APIs and Marketing Cloud Connect for CRM integrations.
Ability to analyze KPIs (open, click, conversion) and translate data insights into iterative improvements.

Preferred

Salesforce admin certification in Marketing Cloud or other similar Salesforce Product
Knowledge of higher-education communication cycles and student-lifecycle marketing best practices.
Skill with BI tools (Tableau, Power BI) or Python for advanced analytics.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Education: Associate's degree in Communication, Information Science, or related field
Experience:
- 2 + yrs hands-on SFMC (Audience Builder & Automation Studio), SQL scripting, and data-driven decision-making

Preferred Qualifications

Experience:
- Experience in higher education environment
- SFMC certifications (Journey Builder & Automation Consultant)

Work Location

Knoxville, TN. This position does have the potential for a hybrid working capacity.

Compensation and Benefits

UT market range: MR 12
Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

For full consideration, applicants must attach a letter of interest, resume, and the name, address, email, and phone number of three professional references, in addition to completing the applicant file to the Human Resources online application system, DASH. This position does have the potential for a hybrid working capacity.
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.

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.
Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!

To apply, visit https://fa-ewlq-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/5456/?mode=location