Director of Business Development and Brand Engagement

Director of Business Development and Brand Engagement - UT Southern Pulaski, TN, United States Job Description The Director of The Nest is responsible for overseeing all operations of UT Southern's new campus spirit shop. This role involves managing retail strategy and performance, vendor and community relations, and cross‑functional engagement with departments across the University. In addition to leading store operations, this position also provides consultative support for marketing and branding needs, ensuring a consistent, high‑quality visual identity across internal initiatives. The Director acts as a central resource for branded materials, contributes to special event planning, and supports creative marketing execution aligned with institutional goals. Responsibilities 30% Management Lead and cultivate a positive team culture. Maintain an industry‑leading level of customer service. Manage and support student workers staffing the spirit shop. Provide support, training, and resources to all spirit shop staff. Develop and sustain a robust student worker training program. Ensure compliance with security protocols, sales procedures, record‑keeping, and other necessary operations. Document and update all processes and job duties in a comprehensive operations manual. 25% Retail Operations and Economic Performance Focus on retail sales, profitability, inventory management, forecasting, trend purchasing, and vendor management. Strive for optimal economic performance through strategic best practices. Record, benchmark, and report the spirit shop’s financial performance to division leadership and the team. Produce periodic financial statements and reports. Establish annual revenue, expense, and capital budgets within University guidelines. Be available for after‑hours work, including weekends, holidays, and campus events. 20% Strategic Relations in Support of the University Mission Create and promote a vision statement for The Nest, aligning staff efforts with the broader mission of the University. Serve as a liaison between The Nest and University departments, fostering strategic partnerships and supporting new initiatives. Develop and manage relationships with the off‑campus community. Represent The Nest and the University in consortiums and group organizations. Set and pursue annual goals for the spirit shop’s operations. 15% Consultation and Creative Development Provide consultation services and expertise for campus stakeholders in need of branding and marketing materials. Manage the full creative development life‑cycle for branded merchandise and related marketing collateral. Evaluate and identify internal and external resources needed for project execution. Serve as the central source for branded materials procurement and quality control. Manage vendor relationships and source new partners as needed. Collaborate on department‑sponsored special events or activities, offering creative and logistical support. 10% Project Coordination & Innovation Develop creative solutions that enhance the visibility and success of university initiatives. Act as a marketing resource for student and departmental projects tied to The Nest. Recommend new merchandise lines and marketing campaigns based on stakeholder input and market trends. Qualifications KSAs Retail management and supervisory experience, preferably in a college bookstore. Merchandising, advertising, marketing, and promotion. Accounting principles, financial statements, and budget preparation. Retail accounting systems, electronic Point‑of‑Sale/inventory, and e‑commerce systems. Quantitative analysis (operational and financial). Leadership and employee motivation. Technology management and project management. Report creation and data analysis. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Office applications. Lead and collaborate effectively. Strong communication (oral, written, and listening). High organizational skills with attention to detail. Excellent customer service and ability to work under pressure. Set priorities, make decisions, and work both independently and as part of a team. Preferred KSAs Knowledge of the college merchandise and spirit shop industry. Experience with digital marketing and e‑commerce initiatives. Experience in developing innovative programs and services. Job Info Job Identification 4608 Job Category Retail Posting Date 08/28/2025, 10:46 AM Job Schedule Full time Locations 433 West Madison Str., Pulaski, TN, 38478, US 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. Similar Jobs The D.W. Johnston School of Business at the University of Tennessee Southern has periodic openings for part‑time, adjunct faculty to teach various business courses. The position's principal responsibility is teaching. Further, the position is responsible for demonstrating academic competence in the appropriate subject matter area. This is a one‑year, limited duration appointment position to advance UT Southern’s digital communications evolution initiative. Works as a member of the Communications and Marketing team. Works closely with team members and internal partners to support the university’s mission and the overall Marketing objectives. Consults with and advises team members and internal partners in order to develop content strategies to optimize content on the UT Southern website and employee hub, once launched. The Residential Director (RD) position is a live‑in position with primary responsibility for the day‑to‑day residence life operation an assigned residence hall on campus, including but not limited to housing assignments, housing relocations, check‑ins and check‑outs, damage assessment, conflict resolution efforts, health and safety inspections, summer/break housing, routine administrative reports and record keeping. RD's report to the Residential Life Coordinator and serve as a member of the Residential Life as part of the Division of Student Life for up to five years. #J-18808-Ljbffr