Communications Associate (Political Science)

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Minnesota's Department of Political Science and the Center for the Study of Political Psychology (CSPP) seek a Communications Associate to manage communications and marketing. You will coordinate content for websites, email, newsletters, and social channels, edit materials, and collaborate with faculty, students, staff, and external partners to ensure timely, accurate messaging.

The role requires strong writing, editorial judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to manage

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree, or a combination of related education and work experience to equal four years.
• Strong written and verbal communication across multiple platforms.
• Experience with content creation and editing in academic or professional settings.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the main point-of-contact for communications and marketing in the department and CSPP.
• Coordinate content creation for websites, newsletters, social media, and outreach materials.
• Edit materials and collaborate with faculty, staff, and external audiences to ensure timely, accurate messaging.

Skills

Strong written and verbal comms

Attention to detail

Organizational/time-management

Editorial judgment

Project management

Collaborating with diverse groups

Independent work

Education

BA/BS degree

Tools

Drupal CMS

Bluesky

X (Twitter)

LinkedIn

Instagram

YouTube

Microsoft Office

Google apps

Zoom

Adobe Creative Cloud

Canva

Asana

UMN Systems: CCS

Coursedog

LiveWhale

Job description

Department of Political Science
Job Code: Marketing & Communications Professional 1 – Communications Generalist (8341CG)
Working Title: Communications Associate

The Communications Associate serves as the main point-of-contact for all communications and marketing in the Department of Political Science and the Center for the Study of Political Psychology (CSPP). As such, they are in contact with faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, staff, and outside constituencies, including the professional media community, alumni, donors, and visitors. This position calls for a self-directed, detail-oriented, and versatile communications professional who is strongly committed to generating engaging content while ensuring accuracy and timeliness of information. The successful candidate will also need to bring that detail-oriented awareness to their work with the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) and administrator to coordinate the undergraduate and graduate curriculum and course schedule – using this work as a window into the greater department to inform future communication and marketing projects.

This position is up to 40% remote (two days/week), and the anticipated start date is November 2, 2026.

The priority deadline for application review is September 20, 2026. Candidates with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences are strongly encouraged to apply.

For questions about the position, please e-mail [e-mail].

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail [e-mail].

If selected to move forward in this search, writing samples and/or other examples of work relevant to this position may be requested. Five references (two of which are current or previous managers), will also be requested at that time.

This position will remain open until filled.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree, or a combination of related education and work experience to equal four years.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two years of experience working in a higher education setting.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting a culture that respects and advances diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Demonstrated initiative and willingness to go the extra mile to provide outstanding service.
• Self-directed, curious, proactive, and with a positive attitude.
• Experience developing for, contributing to, and editing in a Drupal CMS.
• Experience working with Bluesky, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills across multiple platforms, including proofreading and editing.
• Excellent attention to detail. Ability to think broadly while continuing to pay attention to quality and the details
• Strong interpersonal skills and a proven ability to develop and maintain positive professional relationships with a diverse community of faculty, staff, students, and administrators.
• Ability to work independently and as a dependable team member, successfully managing a large workload that includes multiple commitments, competing priorities and deadlines, and ambiguity.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Successful problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Strong computer skills to include Microsoft Office, Google applications, and Zoom.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat Pro), Canva, and Asana.
• Experience with UMN Systems: CCS, Coursedog, LiveWhale