Communications Manager

University Of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Michigan is seeking a Communications Manager to define and drive strategic communications for the Climate and Space department. You will oversee engagement with diverse audiences, manage the department website and communications tech, and mentor the Communications Coordinator.

The role includes creating digital and print media, promoting stories, and building an engaging social media presence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and minimum of three years of communications and/or marketing experience.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communications skills with diverse populations.
• Experience creating recruitment or marketing communication plans and producing print, website, social media, digital advertising, and other media communications.
• No STEM experience required, curiosity about world and communications fit.

Responsibilities

• Define strategic communications objectives to raise department profile and foster information sharing and collaboration.
• Direct faculty and staff engagement with universities, communities, students and colleagues for research and events.
• Create digital and print media using Adobe Creative Suite and Mailchimp; deploy marketing collateral.
• Collaborate with College Marketing and Communications to promote stories at college level.
• Promote departmental programs at events and conferences.
• Supervise, mentor, and guide the Space Institute's Communications Coordinator.
• Manage department website and other communications platforms; post news and updates; support content using WordPress.
• Develop a dynamic social media presence and provide guidance on platforms and best practices.
• Provide basic videography and photography services and maintain photo directory/YouTube channel.
• Other responsibilities as assigned

Skills

Written communication

Project management

Marketing communications

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Mailchimp

WordPress

Job description

Who We Are

At Michigan Engineering, we develop the talent and technologies that move society forward and serve our state and national interests. Through discovery and innovation, we create the foundational knowledge and practical technologies to solve not only today's most pressing challenges, but also power industries and change lives. Our programs and community are designed to promote personal well-being and achievement - enabling everyone to unlock their potential and contribute with confidence.

As part of the U‑M College of Engineering, Climate and Space brings science and engineering together to advance understanding of Earth, climate, space, and planetary systems. Our interdisciplinary approach connects fundamental science with innovative technologies, modeling, and exploration.

Our work seeks to address challenges from climate change and severe weather to near‑Earth space and missions beyond our planet. By combining discovery, engineering, collaboration, and creativity, the department advances knowledge while developing new tools and approaches to address some of the most complex challenges on our planet and beyond.

Job Summary

Reporting to the unit administrator, the Communications Manager is responsible for:

Defining the strategic communications objectives of the department

Directing faculty and staff engagement with their desired audiences

Managing the department's website and other communications technologies

Supervising the Communications Coordinator

Establishing an exciting social media presence

Providing basic photography and videography services

WHO YOU ARE

The ideal candidate for this position has enthusiasm for engineering, education, research, climate science, and/or space science, though this position requires no specialized knowledge of these areas.

They are interested in using talents in written communication and community engagement to reach diverse audiences. Ideal candidates have a background in administrative leadership, communications, project management, and/or marketing. You like to take an idea and run with it, bringing it to a fully realized product. They are a skilled visual, verbal, and written communicator, able to maintain both a laser focus on detail while keeping an eye on the big picture. They can independently manage large projects that require coordination among numerous stakeholders. They are adept with technology, both common and specialized. They have experience developing and curating materials with a wide reach.

Responsibilities*

30% - Define strategic communications objectives for the department to build its profile with external constituencies and increase information sharing, community, and collaboration within the department

25% - Direct faculty and staff engagement with desired audiences (university,community, students, faculty, etc.) for their research, programs, and events

Create related digital and print media (flyers, posters, graphics) using Adobe Creative Suite and Mailchimp email platform ; effectively d eploy marketing collateral

Work with the college Marketing and Communications team to promote newsworthy stories to be amplified at the college level

Promote departmental academic and research programs at events such as major/minor fair, national scientific conferences, etc.

15% - Provide supervision, mentorship, and guidance to the Space Institute's Communications Coordinator

10% - Manage the department website and other communications technologies (e.g., MCommunity directories) for necessary updates and enhancements. Post new content (news stories, updates, etc.) arising through interaction with faculty and students. Facilitate content management and news schedule in partnership with department leadership; consult and offer web content support to the department faculty, staff and students, and CLaSP partners using tools like WordPress

10% Develop an engaging and dynamic social media presence, providing guidance on platforms and best practices

5% - Provide basic videography and photography services, including designing and maintaining a photo directory and YouTube channel

5% - Other responsibilities as assigned

Required Qualifications*

Bachelor's degree and minimum of three years of communications and/or marketing experience.

Demonstrated strength in communicating effectively with a diversity of people. Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects with varying deadlines. Excellent oral presentation, written and verbal communication skills, as well as interpersonal skills with a diverse population, are critical.

Previous experience creating and implementing successful recruitment or marketing communication plans and demonstrated experience in producing print, website, social media, digital advertising, and other media communications.

No experience in STEM fields is required, but curiosity about the world around you and how communications fits into it is.

Desired Qualifications*

Five or more years of communications and/or marketing experience.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checksare performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.