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Memphis, Tennessee, Summary The University of Tennessee Health Science Center seeks an experienced, entrepreneurial, and dynamic leader for the position of Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications and Marketing. This role is pivotal in enhancing the institution’s statewide presence and impact as part of our new strategic vision — Healthy Tennesseans. Thriving Communities . Key Opportunities Lead Strategic Initiatives: Develop and implement a comprehensive, multichannel marketing and communications plan that amplifies UT Health Science Center’s mission and achievements across Tennessee. Foster Collaboration: Work closely with academic and clinical leaders to strengthen partnerships and enhance visibility of programs and research initiatives. Engage with Communities: Actively participate in community outreach to promote health awareness and the impact of UT Health Science Center’s work in Tennessee. Brand distinction: Evaluate how best to position the UT Health Science Center brand across the state, including a possible rebranding, name update, new visual identity package, and more. Why Join UT Health Science Center? This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of Tennessee’s leading health sciences institution. The Vice Chancellor will have a profound impact on the health and wellness of communities across the state while advancing UT Health Science Center’s reputation as a national leader in health sciences education, research, and care. The Opportunity The next Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications and Marketing will be a visionary leader based in Memphis, with a statewide scope of influence. This role calls for an inspiring, collaborative, and strategic professional who brings experience and expertise to propel UT Health Science Center forward during a period of growth and momentum. The ideal candidate will be an empathetic listener and a transparent communicator, skilled at fostering a positive and inclusive internal culture while building and sustaining strong external relationships across Tennessee and beyond. The Vice Chancellor will be instrumental in positioning the UT Health Science Center as a leader in health sciences education, interprofessional clinical practice, community engagement, and basic, clinical, and translational research. Serving as a key spokesperson, the Vice Chancellor will work to enhance the institution’s reputation, drive enrollment growth, secure state resources, and expand philanthropic support. Reporting directly to Chancellor Peter Buckley, MD, the Vice Chancellor will collaborate closely with executive leadership to advance the clinical-educational mission, strategically grow enrollment, and strengthen fundraising efforts. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in modern health sciences marketing and communications, with a proven ability to amplify the impactful work of clinicians, researchers, educators, and staff. They must excel in leading change management and crisis communication strategies, demonstrating agility and poise in complex situations. A strong commitment to community engagement and a dedication to serving the state of Tennessee are essential for success. About UT Health Science Center The University of Tennessee Health Science Center transforms lives through collaborative and inclusive education, groundbreaking research, compassionate clinical care, and dedicated public service. Statewide Impact Headquartered in Memphis with additional campuses in Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Nashville, UT Health Science Center is Tennessee’s largest educator of healthcare professionals. The institution encompasses six colleges–Dentistry, Graduate Health Sciences, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy–equipping future healthcare leaders to meet the needs of communities across the state and beyond. Key Recent Achievements Research Excellence : Conducted nearly $100 million in extramurally funded research in FY 2023. Healthcare Delivery : Partnered with 11 clinical hospital affiliates statewide to provide patient care. Education and Training : Trained over 3,000 students and 1,400 residents and fellows annually. A New Era of Leadership The university is entering a transformative phase with dynamic new leadership appointed over the past two years, including: Chancellor Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer Inaugural Vice Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships Vice Chancellor for Advancement Vice Chancellor for Research Deans of Pharmacy and Dentistry Three Regional Campus Deans for the College of Medicine Interim Executive Dean of the College of Medicine (national search ongoing) System-wide Inaugural Chief Wellness Officer This leadership team is driving innovation and positioning the UT Health Science Center for continued success in education, research, and community engagement. The Office of Communications and Marketing The O ffi ce of Communications and Marketing is comprised of a highly skilled and specialized group of professionals, organized as a central group with communications and marketing leads also embedded in several of the health sciences colleges, research, academic affairs, the library, and at campuses in association with our health care partners (see Appendix B for the Table of Organization). The office supports the advancement of the UT Health Science Center ‘ s mission, vision, and strategic plan through leadership in: Advertising Branding guidelines Graphic design/signage Marketing Media relations Crisis/issues management Internal communications Photography/videography Printing Promotional products and wearables Public records requests Social media Executive communications Key Opportunities and Challenges Shape and execute a strategic communications and marketing plan that advances UT Health Science Center’s priorities and statewide impact. The Vice Chancellor will collaborate with UT Health Science Center leadership to develop and implement a vision that highlights excellence in education, research, and healthcare. Partnering with a skilled communications and marketing team, the Vice Chancellor will drive collaboration across regional campuses and strengthen partnerships with clinical affiliates. This role will enhance UT Health Science Center’s presence across Tennessee, with Memphis as the central hub, while fostering strong internal communication to unite faculty, staff, students, and the broader community in a cohesive and dynamic organization. Advance fundraising, enrollment, and external a ff airs. The Vice Chancellor will be a key partner with the Vice Chancellor for Advancement to help engage with UT Health Science Center and system leadership, state, and local government o ffi cials, as well as corporate, foundations, alumni, and individual donors, in encouraging support to advance UT Health Science Center priorities. Additionally, the new Vice Chancellor will play a leadership role in helping UT Heath Science Center meet the aggressive UT System enrollment growth targets. This will include focusing on institutional enrollment goals and developing and launching a multi-layered, multi-year enrollment marketing plan. Reimagine the UT Health Science Center brand as a statewide institution. UT Health Science Center stands out within the University of Tennessee System for its focus on postgraduate education and training Tennessee’s future healthcare workforce. With four campuses across the state, this distinctiveness presents both an opportunity and a branding challenge, as UT Health Science Center could be perceived as separate from the broader UT system. However, the powerful “UT brand,” with its widespread recognition and alumni pride, offers a compelling foundation. UT Health Science Center is exploring a rebrand as “The Health Sciences of the University of Tennessee,” aligning with the “Everywhere You Look UT” campaign while emphasizing its unique mission. The Vice Chancellor will lead this rebranding effort, guiding research, creative development, and implementation in collaboration with UT Health Science Center and UT System leadership. This role will serve as a key communicator and ambassador, advancing the university’s integration within the UT brand while highlighting its distinct contributions. Support and communicate widely about relationships with clinical a ffi liates and at each Health Science campus. The UT Health Science Center partners with hospitals and medical centers across Tennessee, including campuses in Memphis, Chattanooga, Nashville, Knoxville, and Jackson, to provide clinical rotations for health sciences students. The Vice Chancellor will collaborate with counterparts to promote and co-brand these critical affiliations, which support UT Health Science Center’s mission to improve Tennesseans’ health while fostering exceptional training environments for students and trainees. Serving as a key spokesperson, the Vice Chancellor will highlight programs that address community health needs, working with regional campuses and local media to showcase impactful care and initiatives targeting social determinants of health. Promote the educational mission of training tomorrow’s clinicians for Tennessee. UT Health Science Center benefits from strong state support for health sciences education, including a state-of-the-art simulation program and recent facility expansions. University graduates are recognized for clinical excellence, reflecting the expertise of the faculty and a strong focus on teaching and training. This mission is further strengthened by backing from the legislature, alumni, community leaders, and donors, including a recent $29 million allocation for a new anatomy lab. The Vice Chancellor and their team will spotlight gaps in healthcare services and workforce shortages — such as dentists, physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals — underscoring the critical importance of the university’s educational mission for the future health of Tennesseans. Advance research through compelling stories about UT Health Science Center and its impact for Tennessee. UT Health Science Center is at a pivotal moment in its research program, with strengths in areas that impact the health of all Tennesseans. The arrival of a new Vice Chancellor for Research brings opportunities to expand clinical research partnerships, enhance basic and translational research, and foster collaborations with university colleges, UT System campuses, and entities like Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The Vice Chancellor will collaborate with deans and the Vice Chancellor for Research to craft compelling narratives that highlight research priorities and integrate them into UT Health Science Center’s brand identity. Qualifications for the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications and Marketing The ideal candidate must possess a baccalaureate degree with experience as a leader in Health Sciences marketing and communications. The Vice Chancellor will have the professional and personal characteristics to lead and inspire all stakeholders, possessing the interpersonal skills to bring together diverse constituents. The UT Health Science Center has established the following attributes and competencies by which to evaluate and assess potential candidates: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to cultivate relationships across UT Health Science Center, the state, and beyond. A collaborative, integrated leader, and ambassador, with a strong commitment to the community. Excellence in brand management, especially in the health science arena, which includes market research, creative excellence and strategic initiatives. Executive presence and the ability to create a strong public impression, both individually and institutionally. Strong financial acumen, with experience in effective and e ffi cient management of a distributed infrastructure and budgets. Demonstrated experience developing and collaboratively leading a team of professionals, aligning their efforts with leadership, and producing measurable impact. Strategic thinking and planning skills and the ability to build the team in the process of developing a new integrated communications and marketing plan. Proven results in enrollment marketing, with an emphasis on graduate-level enrollment Experience in academic medicine, health sciences and/ or prior employment within an established health system (preferably an academic medical center). Experience in high-profile issues and crisis management communications. Experience in supporting philanthropy through effective communications and branding. The ability to design and implement an effective media relations program and to enhance UT Health Sciences coverage. Experience advising senior leadership regarding effective and strategic marketing and communications.
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