Communications Specialist

University Of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

MICHR at the University of Michigan seeks a Communications Specialist to support content creation, design, and digital communications across channels. You will translate complex information into clear content, manage events and campaigns, and collaborate with teams to promote MICHR's impact.

The role emphasizes strong writing, editing, and project management skills, with hands-on experience in design tools like Adobe Creative Suite and Canva, and proficiency with WordPress for website management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Excellent writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling skills.
• Ability to translate complex information for non-specialist audiences.
• Experience developing content for websites, newsletters, email campaigns, social media, or other digital channels.
• Experience with WordPress or similar platforms.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain content for MICHR website, newsletters, emails, social media.
• Apply brand guidelines and layouts for prints and digital materials.
• Maintain website and digital platforms, ensuring accessibility and consistency.
• Coordinate projects, track approvals, and manage assets across teams.
• Ensure consistent messaging and branding across MICHR communications.

Skills

Writing

Editing

Storytelling

Communication

Project management

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree (communications-related)

Tools

WordPress

Adobe Creative Suite

Canva

Microsoft Office

PowerPoint

Google Slides

Job description

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A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Job Summary

The Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR) is seeking a creative, collaborative, and detail-oriented Communications Specialist to support communications, design, storytelling, and engagement efforts across the institute. Working with the Communications Manager and other team members, the Communications Specialist will play an important role in sharing MICHR's impact with a variety of stakeholders. They will support internal and external communications that promote alignment, awareness, and engagement.

The ideal candidate is a strong writer and editor who works well as part of a team and can translate complex information into clear, compelling content for a variety of audiences and channels. The ideal candidate will also have experience with design software like the Adobe Suite and Canva, as well as experience with website management in WordPress or a similar program. This position requires strong organizational skills, sound judgment, curiosity, and the ability to manage multiple projects.

About MICHR

MICHR is the home of the University of Michigan's Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). MICHR is part of a national, collaborative consortium that is focused on bringing more health solutions to all people more quickly by advancing translational science. The field of translational science aims to build an evidence base of scientific and operational approaches that improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of translational research across a range of diseases and conditions. MICHR has the unique charge of examining the translational research ecosystem at a systems level to determine where common pitfalls exist; developing novel solutions to these challenges; demonstrating their effectiveness; and disseminating improvements widely. MICHR is a dynamic organization that serves as a hub of innovation and experimentation to advance research in the science of translation and accelerate the realization of interventions that improve human health.

Responsibilities*

Content Creation

• Follow existing style guides and examples to write and maintain communications content for various delivery methods, including the MICHR website, newsletters, emails, social media, reports, presentations, and other channels.
• Translate scientific, clinical, and administrative information into accessible language.
• Capture event highlights through written summaries, photos, quotes, and other content as appropriate.

Graphic Design

• Apply established logos, typography, color palettes, templates, and brand guidelines from Michigan Medicine and MICHR to new projects.
• Adapt approved designs and content for different formats, audiences, and communications channels.
• Populate, update, and assist with the layout of established templates, including presentations, reports, visual abstracts, and other recurring materials.
• Prepare, organize, and package files and assets for print, digital production, and project handoff.
• Make text, color, image, and layout updates based on feedback and direction from senior designers, communications leads, or clients.

Digital Communications

• Support content updates and maintenance for MICHR's website and related digital platforms.
• Apply existing editorial, brand, and accessibility guidelines to create and schedule social media content that aligns with MICHR priorities and Michigan Medicine branding standards.
• Assist with email marketing campaigns, newsletters, event promotions, and audience segmentation as needed.

Project Coordination and Collaboration

• Contribute to communications calendars, project timelines, and coordination of deliverables.
• Gather, organize, and track content, feedback, approvals, files, and other assets needed to complete communications deliverables.
• Support handoffs between content development, design, review, production, and distribution.
• Maintain organized project files, templates, shared assets, and documentation so materials can be updated and reused efficiently.
• Work closely with the communications team and other colleagues and partners across U-M
• Manage multiple assignments simultaneously while meeting deadlines and maintaining attention to detail.
• Perform other communications-related duties as assigned.

Strategic Communications Support

• Help ensure consistent messaging, tone, branding, and visual identity across MICHR communications.
• Identify appropriate delivery methods, including presentations, targeted email, printed documents, and web pages
• Evaluate feedback on communications and make improvements.

Required Qualifications*

• Two years of experience and a bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, English, health communication, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling skills.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly and accurately for non-specialist audiences.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Experience developing content for websites, newsletters, email campaigns, social media, or other digital channels.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to work collaboratively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds, roles, and areas of expertise.
• Proficiency with office productivity, communication, and digital content creation tools, including Microsoft Office, PowerPoint or Google Slides, Adobe Creative Suite, or Canva.

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience in higher education, academic medicine, health care, research, public health, nonprofit, or mission-driven communications.
• Experience using analytics to evaluate communications performance.
• Experience with website platforms such as WordPress.
• Experience in email marketing platforms and social media management tools.
• Knowledge of AP Style, plain language principles, accessibility best practices, and inclusive communications.
• Experience working within branding or editorial guidelines.

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 .

Primarily remote with onsite work as needed.

Additional Information

This is a 2-year term-limited hybrid position with the possibility of becoming permanent based on need, available funding, and candidate performance. This position requires at least 2 in-person days at our office on the U-M Ann Arbor Central Campus. At the end of the stated term, your appointment will terminate and will not be eligible for Reduction-in-Force (RIF) benefits. This term-limited appointment does not create a contract or guarantee of employment for any period of time as you will remain subject to disciplinary or other performance measures, up to and including termination, at the will of the University in accordance with existing University policy and standards for employee performance and conduct.

MICHR values collaboration, innovation, inclusion, and service. We are committed to creating an environment where all team members can contribute meaningfully to work that advances health research and improves lives.

The successful candidate will be expected to follow all applicable University of Michigan policies, including policies related to data privacy, accessibility, communications, brand standards, and responsible use of institutional information.

Note: this position is hybrid, with occasional travel to Ann Arbor, MI required.

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 checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting.This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

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.