Communications Manager

University of Kentucky; Lexington (KY); Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangements

Exceptional Benefits

Job summary

The University of Kentucky is seeking a Communications Manager to lead marketing, communications, and brand engagement for UK Innovate and its affiliated programs. This role will serve as the primary communications professional for UK Innovate, crafting strategic storytelling, digital communications, branding, social media, and marketing initiatives.

You’ll collaborate with program leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders to raise awareness and impact across a broad portfolio.

Qualifications

• Strong marketing, communications, public relations, or digital media experience.
• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling abilities.
• Experience managing websites, social media platforms, and digital marketing campaigns.
• Strong graphic design and visual communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational, relationship-building, and project management skills.
• Experience with content management systems and Adobe Creative Suite or equivalent tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute marketing and communications strategies to support UK Innovate programs and priorities.
• Create content for websites, newsletters, annual reports, presentations, marketing materials, email campaigns, and digital communications.
• Manage UK Innovate websites and support ongoing content development and maintenance.
• Develop and maintain social media content, campaigns, and audience engagement strategies.
• Design marketing collateral, graphics, presentations, and visual assets that support brand consistency.
• Coordinate communications projects across initiatives and stakeholders.
• Track website and social media analytics to improve engagement.
• Support events, workshops, training programs, and stakeholder outreach.

Skills

Marketing

Communications

Public relations

Digital media

Writing

Editing

Storytelling

Website management

Social media

Graphic design

Project management

Content management systems

Adobe Creative Suite

Canva

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CMS

Adobe Creative Suite

Canva

Job description

Communications Manager

• Requisition Number: RE55464
• Working Title: UK Innovate Marketing & Communications Manager
• Department Name: 3R100:PR and Strategic Communications
• Grade Level: 46
• Salary Range: $53,061-87,526/year
• Type of Position: Staff
• Position Time Status: Full-Time
• Work Location: Lexington, KY
• Required Education: BA
• Required Related Experience: 6 yrs
• Physical Requirements: Sitting for long periods of time
• Shift: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
• Does this position have supervisory responsibilities: No
• Preferred Education/Experience: Communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, English or related field
• Deadline to Apply: 08/24/2026

Help Tell the Story of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Impact at UK. The University of Kentucky is seeking a Communications Manager to lead marketing, communications, and brand engagement efforts for UK Innovate and its affiliated programs.

This role serves as the primary communications professional for UK Innovate, helping showcase the university’s innovation ecosystem through strategic storytelling, digital communications, branding, social media, and marketing initiatives. The successful candidate will work closely with program leaders, innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders to increase awareness, engagement, and impact across a broad portfolio of initiatives.

In this role, you'll help elevate the visibility of groundbreaking work taking place across the university while building awareness of programs that support innovation from idea to market. Your work will help connect researchers, entrepreneurs, industry partners, and communities to the resources and opportunities that drive discovery and growth.

Internal Employee Being Considered

What You’ll Do

• Develop and execute marketing and communications strategies that support UK Innovate programs and priorities
• Create content for websites, newsletters, annual reports, presentations, marketing materials, email campaigns, and digital communications
• Manage UK Innovate websites and support ongoing content development and maintenance
• Develop and maintain social media content, campaigns, and audience engagement strategies
• Design marketing collateral, graphics, presentations, and visual assets that support program promotion and brand consistency
• Coordinate communications projects across multiple initiatives, programs, and stakeholders
• Track website and social media analytics to improve engagement and communications effectiveness
• Support events, workshops, training programs, and stakeholder outreach activities through targeted communications and promotional efforts

What You’ll Bring

• Strong experience in marketing, communications, public relations, or digital media
• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling abilities
• Experience managing websites, social media platforms, and digital marketing campaigns
• Strong graphic design and visual communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational, relationship-building, and project management skills
• Experience working with content management systems, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or similar tools

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• 6 years of related experience

What’s In It for You

• Meaningful impact: Help promote innovation, entrepreneurship, research commercialization, and economic development initiatives across Kentucky
• Creative variety: Work across content creation, branding, digital media, web management, and strategic communications
• Professional growth: Expand your expertise in innovation communications, marketing strategy, and stakeholder engagement
• Hybrid flexibility: Opportunity for hybrid work arrangements with approval
• Collaborative environment: Partner with innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, and university leaders
• UK's Exceptional Benefits

Why Now?

UK Innovate continues to expand its role in supporting innovation, technology commercialization, entrepreneurship, research partnerships, and economic growth. As these initiatives grow, effective communication is essential to connecting stakeholders with opportunities, highlighting success stories, and demonstrating impact across the Commonwealth.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

• Microsoft Suite products
• Canva or Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe products
• CRM platforms
• Asana

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.