Communications Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangements

UK’s 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 programs. You will drive storytelling, digital communications, branding, social media, and campaigns to raise awareness, engagement, and impact across a broad portfolio.

Collaborating with program leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders, you’ll manage websites, content, and promotional efforts; a BA and 6 years of related experience are

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• 6 years of related experience
• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling abilities
• Experience managing websites, social media platforms, and digital marketing campaigns
• Strong graphic design and visual communication skills

Responsibilities

• 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

Skills

Writing

Editing

Storytelling

Social media management

Digital marketing

Project management

Education

BA

Tools

Content management systems

Adobe Creative Suite

Canva

CRM platforms

Asana

Job description

Job Title Communications Manager

Requisition Number RE55464

Working Title UK Innovate Marketing & Communications Manager

Department Name 3R100:PR and Strategic Communications

Work Location Lexington, KY

Grade Level 46

Salary Range $53,061-87,526/year

Type of Position Staff

Position Time Status Full-Time

Required Education BA

Required Related Experience 6 yrs

Required License/Registration/Certification None

Physical Requirements Sitting for long periods of time

Shift Monday – Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm

Job Summary

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.

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.

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

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

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

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

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.