Public Relations Specialist Jobs in Tennessee
Public Relations Specialist jobs in Tennessee are actively hiring, with consistent demand in healthcare, entertainment, higher education, and government sectors, and openings at every level from entry-level coordinator through senior director. Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville lead hiring, anchored by major employers like HCA Healthcare, FedEx, and the University of Tennessee system. The most sought-after specialties include crisis communications, media relations, and digital content strategy. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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The Tombras Touchpoints Program Manager provides operational and program leadership for the Tombras School’s engagement, outreach, and special programs. Working closely with the Charles Tombras Sr. Endowed Professor and the school director, this position develops and implements initiatives that advance the school’s strategic goals, strengthen relationships with internal and external stakeholders, support student success and professional development, enhance recruitment and brand visibility, and assist with academic operations.
Community Engagement & Outreach
In collaboration with the Tombras Endowed Professor, develop new outreach and engagement initiatives and implement existing programs that support the school’s strategic goals.
Lead execution of the Tombras Touchpoints Strategy, ensuring alignment with goals for prospective, undergraduate, and graduate student engagement.
Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders to expand the Tombras School’s visibility, partnerships, and impact.
Prepare and submit nominations and applications for internal and external awards and recognitions. This includes identifying relevant award opportunities both in industry and academia, collecting relevant information, and compiling the application packets in compliance with award criteria.
Provide operational leadership for the Tombras School summer program, The Content Creator's Toolkit, including recruitment, space coordination, and supervision of student assistants.
Liaise with CCI’s Communication and Marketing team to ensure branding, messaging, and communication strategies are implemented consistently in the school. This includes preparing marketing materials, submitting marketing requests, meeting with the appropriate team members to discuss program needs, and serving as the point person for school faculty and staff for branding questions.
Plan and execute Tombras School visits, tours, and participation in school fairs; represent the school directly or arrange for appropriate faculty, staff, or student representation at external fairs and events.
Represent the school at university and community events, including open houses, fairs, and other outreach activities.
Prepare and deliver presentations about the Tombras School and Tombras Touchpoints initiatives to a variety of audiences.
Track, collect, prepare, and analyze assessment and evaluation data for outreach and engagement programs, making improvement recommendations to the Tombras Endowed Professor and Director of the Tombras School.
Drive broader college outreach and engagement initiatives by aligning school-level efforts with the CCI Director of Access and Engagement.
Manage large-scale school events such as the annual showcase and speaker series.
Drive execution of the purpose project by monitoring deliverables, tracking timeline milestones, and providing progress updates to key stakeholders.
Partners with faculty to research, design, develop, and evaluate training, workshops and other learning opportunities for students and community partners.
Create learning activities and content to support outreach and engagement initiatives.
Student Success
Manage the Tombras School Ambassadors program, including recruitment, training, scheduling, and supervision of student ambassadors.
Manage the Tombras Talks workshop series, including planning, coordination, and execution.
Coordinate with CCI’s Office for Academic Affairs and Student Success to ensure Tombras students are informed about and connected to available college- and university-level opportunities and resources.
Plan and deliver additional professional development opportunities for students.
Communicate with student support resources and professional development opportunities to faculty.
Academic Program Support
Supervise the Academic program coordinator in their assessment and event planning responsibilities.
Co-chair of the school’s access and engagement committee.
Serve on the college’s access and engagement committee and on university-related committees as needed.
Assist the director and the school’s assessment and curriculum in collecting assessment data and documentation for program reviews, evaluations, and catalog updates.
Support the director in providing learning and development opportunities for faculty, especially as relates to industry changes and institutional policies and standards.
Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s Degree (Any Field. Preferred: Advertising, Public Relations, or Closely Related Field.)
Experience: 4 years of experience executing programs or projects.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Strong oral and written communications skills, including editing and writing experience across long- and short-form print, web, video, or social media pieces and platforms.
Exceptional organization skills and demonstrated ability to manage a series of projects concurrently.
Strong knowledge of the academic and applied fields of advertising and public relations.
Ability to work with diverse audiences.
Excellent time management skills.
Advanced knowledge of industry-standard publishing tools including Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Dreamweaver, Microsoft Office suite, WordPress, etc.
Ability to direct vendors, including printers, writers, photographers, media buyers, and multi-media teams.
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: Master’s Degree
Experience : 6 years of experience executing programs or projects in a higher education setting. Relevant experience in multiple specialty areas, such as event planning, design, copywriting, social media strategy, or media planning.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Expertise in multiple specialty communications areas (design, writing, media relations, marketing, communications strategy, etc.).
Ability communicating and marketing initiatives at an institution of higher education, government agency, or company.
Evidence of strategic visioning to reach and engage diverse populations.
Work Location
Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
Onsite
Compensation and Benefits
UT market range: MR 11
Anticipated hiring range: $65,000 - $68,000
Application Instructions
To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments:
Resume
Cover Letter
The Tombras Touchpoints Program Manager provides operational and program leadership for the Tombras School’s engagement, outreach, and special programs. Working closely with the Charles Tombras Sr. Endowed Professor and the school director, this position develops and implements initiatives that advance the school’s strategic goals, strengthen relationships with internal and external stakeholders, support student success and professional development, enhance recruitment and brand visibility, and assist with academic operations.
Community Engagement & Outreach
In collaboration with the Tombras Endowed Professor, develop new outreach and engagement initiatives and implement existing programs that support the school’s strategic goals.
Lead execution of the Tombras Touchpoints Strategy, ensuring alignment with goals for prospective, undergraduate, and graduate student engagement.
Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders to expand the Tombras School’s visibility, partnerships, and impact.
Prepare and submit nominations and applications for internal and external awards and recognitions. This includes identifying relevant award opportunities both in industry and academia, collecting relevant information, and compiling the application packets in compliance with award criteria.
Provide operational leadership for the Tombras School summer program, The Content Creator's Toolkit, including recruitment, space coordination, and supervision of student assistants.
Liaise with CCI’s Communication and Marketing team to ensure branding, messaging, and communication strategies are implemented consistently in the school. This includes preparing marketing materials, submitting marketing requests, meeting with the appropriate team members to discuss program needs, and serving as the point person for school faculty and staff for branding questions.
Plan and execute Tombras School visits, tours, and participation in school fairs; represent the school directly or arrange for appropriate faculty, staff, or student representation at external fairs and events.
Represent the school at university and community events, including open houses, fairs, and other outreach activities.
Prepare and deliver presentations about the Tombras School and Tombras Touchpoints initiatives to a variety of audiences.
Track, collect, prepare, and analyze assessment and evaluation data for outreach and engagement programs, making improvement recommendations to the Tombras Endowed Professor and Director of the Tombras School.
Drive broader college outreach and engagement initiatives by aligning school-level efforts with the CCI Director of Access and Engagement.
Manage large-scale school events such as the annual showcase and speaker series.
Drive execution of the purpose project by monitoring deliverables, tracking timeline milestones, and providing progress updates to key stakeholders.
Partners with faculty to research, design, develop, and evaluate training, workshops and other learning opportunities for students and community partners.
Create learning activities and content to support outreach and engagement initiatives.
Student Success
Manage the Tombras School Ambassadors program, including recruitment, training, scheduling, and supervision of student ambassadors.
Manage the Tombras Talks workshop series, including planning, coordination, and execution.
Coordinate with CCI’s Office for Academic Affairs and Student Success to ensure Tombras students are informed about and connected to available college- and university-level opportunities and resources.
Plan and deliver additional professional development opportunities for students.
Communicate with student support resources and professional development opportunities to faculty.
Academic Program Support
Supervise the Academic program coordinator in their assessment and event planning responsibilities.
Co-chair of the school’s access and engagement committee.
Serve on the college’s access and engagement committee and on university-related committees as needed.
Assist the director and the school’s assessment and curriculum in collecting assessment data and documentation for program reviews, evaluations, and catalog updates.
Support the director in providing learning and development opportunities for faculty, especially as relates to industry changes and institutional policies and standards.
Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s Degree (Any Field. Preferred: Advertising, Public Relations, or Closely Related Field.)
Experience: 4 years of experience executing programs or projects.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Strong oral and written communications skills, including editing and writing experience across long- and short-form print, web, video, or social media pieces and platforms.
Exceptional organization skills and demonstrated ability to manage a series of projects concurrently.
Strong knowledge of the academic and applied fields of advertising and public relations.
Ability to work with diverse audiences.
Excellent time management skills.
Advanced knowledge of industry-standard publishing tools including Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Dreamweaver, Microsoft Office suite, WordPress, etc.
Ability to direct vendors, including printers, writers, photographers, media buyers, and multi-media teams.
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: Master’s Degree
Experience : 6 years of experience executing programs or projects in a higher education setting. Relevant experience in multiple specialty areas, such as event planning, design, copywriting, social media strategy, or media planning.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Expertise in multiple specialty communications areas (design, writing, media relations, marketing, communications strategy, etc.).
Ability communicating and marketing initiatives at an institution of higher education, government agency, or company.
Evidence of strategic visioning to reach and engage diverse populations.
Work Location
Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
Onsite
Compensation and Benefits
UT market range: MR 11
Anticipated hiring range: $65,000 - $68,000
Application Instructions
To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments:
Resume
Cover Letter
See All 10 Public Relations Specialist Jobs in Tennessee
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Find JobsPublic Relations Specialist Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Public Relations Specialist Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in public relations specialist jobs across Tennessee.
- Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, or journalism required
- Two or more years of professional experience in PR or media relations preferred
- Demonstrated portfolio of press releases, pitches, and media placements
- Proficiency with social media platforms and PR measurement or monitoring tools
- Strong writing and editing skills for multiple audiences and channels
- Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) credential viewed favorably by Tennessee employers
Public Relations Specialist Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a public relations specialist in Tennessee?
Tennessee does not require a state-issued license to work as a public relations specialist, so entry centers on education and credentials. Most employers seek a bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, or a related field from an accredited institution such as the University of Tennessee, Belmont University, or Middle Tennessee State University. The Accreditation in Public Relations credential, earned through the Public Relations Society of America, strengthens a candidate's standing and is recognized by many Tennessee employers.
How much do public relations specialists make in Tennessee?
Public relations specialists in Tennessee earn a median of about $60,900 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $37,450 for the lowest 10% to over $98,370 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire public relations specialists in Tennessee?
Employers hiring public relations specialists in Tennessee right now include Chefsdeal, Ripley PR, and Four Seasons, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Tennessee's concentration of large healthcare systems, entertainment companies, and public universities makes it a particularly active state for in-house communications and PR roles.
Which Tennessee cities have the most public relations specialist jobs?
Nashville, Memphis, and Savannah have the most public relations specialist openings in Tennessee. Nashville drives the bulk of demand given its headquarters concentration in healthcare, music, and tourism, while Memphis benefits from major logistics and corporate employers, and Knoxville draws openings through the University of Tennessee system and regional government institutions.
Are there remote public relations specialist jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, and more than many fields, since public relations work is largely desk-based and communication-driven. About 25% of public relations specialist openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how well the role translates to distributed work. Media relations, content strategy, and social media management are the sub-areas most likely to offer fully remote arrangements.
How can I get hired as a public relations specialist in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an internship or communications coordinator role at a Tennessee organization before moving into a specialist position. Large healthcare systems like Vanderbilt University Medical Center and university communications offices across the state regularly take on entry-level coordinators and interns. A portfolio demonstrating writing samples, press releases, and any campus or community media work gives candidates a concrete edge, as does the Public Relations Society of America's student membership and Tennessee chapter network.
Where can I find and apply to public relations specialist jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to public relations specialist jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from Tennessee employers. Search for roles that match your experience and specialty area, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 10 Public Relations Specialist Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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