Communications Lead

UM01 University of Maryland College Park (UMCP); United States; On-site; USD 93,720 - 112,464; Full time

Job summary

University of Maryland, College Park’s Division of Information Technology (DIT) seeks a Communications Lead to drive messaging for the Elevate initiative. You will supervise the Communications Specialist and coordinate with liaisons across schools and colleges to deliver timely, consistent content.

The role emphasizes translating technical or process-heavy information into accessible communications for broad campus audiences, with strong writing and editing skills and a background in strategic

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Excellent writing, storytelling, and strategic communication abilities; strong editing and proofreading; proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the comprehensive communications plan for the Elevate initiative.
• Lead the creation and distribution of clear, audience-specific messaging for complex, technology-driven projects.
• Supervise the Communications Specialist and provide guidance on content strategy.
• Coordinate with communication liaisons across schools and colleges to draft templates and ensure consistent messaging.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communications efforts, adjusting strategies as needed.
• Collaborate with project team members and campus stakeholders in fast-moving environments.

Skills

Writing

Storytelling

Strategic communication

Editing

Proofreading

MS Office

Google Workspace

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Summary

This position is available within the University of Maryland’s Division of Information Technology (DIT). Join our Elevate team to be part of the transformation to the next generation of student services computing at the University of Maryland (UMD). We are seeking an experienced communicator to serve as a Communications Lead for the Elevate team. The Communications Lead, supervising the Communications Specialist, distills functional, technical, and project‑related information into messaging that will be consumed by the broader University community. The lead manages the communications plan to ensure efficient and effective development, approval, and delivery, monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of the communications efforts, and coordinates with communication liaisons at each school or college to develop templates and ready content that is distributed in a timely fashion and culturally aligned. The Communications Lead receives direct supervision from the Director but is expected to work across the Elevate team as necessary.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the comprehensive communications plan for the Elevate initiative.
• Lead the creation and distribution of clear, audience‑specific messaging for complex, technology‑driven projects.
• Supervise the Communications Specialist and provide guidance on content strategy.
• Coordinate with communication liaisons across schools and colleges to draft templates and ensure consistent messaging.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communications efforts, adjusting strategies as needed.
• Collaborate with project team members and campus stakeholders in fast‑moving environments.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Professional Experience: At least three (3) years of communications or marketing experience, with one (1) year leading or supervising staff.
• Skills: Exceptional writing, storytelling, and strategic communication abilities; strong editing and proofreading; proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
• Experience: Demonstrated ability to translate technical or process‑heavy information into accessible communications for broad stakeholder groups; experience overseeing communication planning and digital content management for major technology initiatives.
• Preferences: Prior experience within higher‑education environments (institutional, consulting, or system implementation). Collaborative, detail‑oriented, and able to thrive in fast‑moving settings.

Physical Demands

Normal office environment – sedentary work. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negotiable amount frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to travel around campus for meetings and to attend to duties.

Work Conditions

The position requires presence in the College Park, MD location a significant portion of the week; telework is not a guaranteed arrangement. The Communications Lead may be required to work evenings, nights, weekends, or different shifts for extended periods, and may need to work at the normal work location or an alternative location during major catastrophic or operational emergencies to maintain continuity of University services.

Salary & Benefits

Salary Range: $93,720 - $112,464 (staff contractual, fixed‑term). Benefits include the standard staff contractual benefits package. For more information, please review the Staff Contractual CII benefits overview.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.