External Strategic Communications & Funding Strategist

University of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 94,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages & benefits

Tuition assistance program

Retirement plans

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

The External Strategic Communications & Funding Strategist at the University of Minnesota leads MIDB’s external communications, brand messaging, and donor engagement. Working with the Internal Communications & Digital Operations Strategist, this role shapes narratives to elevate MIDB’s profile and secure competitive funding and grants.

Responsibilities include overseeing external strategy, content architecture, and executive positioning, while translating complex research into compelling

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree and at least 6 years in a relevant field.
• Demonstrated leadership, collaboration, and customer service skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication in English.

Responsibilities

• Lead external narrative framework, brand messaging, and positioning.
• Oversee external reporting, ROI demonstrations for donors and leadership.
• Coordinate editorials with internal strategists for aligned messaging.
• Translate research and grants into accessible, high-impact stories for external audiences.
• Prepare MIDB leadership for media interviews and public appearances.

Skills

Leadership

Written and verbal communication

Strategic thinking

Collaboration

Education

BA/BS degree

Tools

Salesforce CRM

Content Management Systems

Email marketing software

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Photoshop

Video editing software

Job description

External Strategic Communications & Funding Strategist

Communications: 9761PR

Position Overview

The External Strategic Communications & Funding Strategist elevates the profile, reputation, and competitive funding advantage of the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIDB). In equal partnership with the Internal Communications & Digital Operations Strategist, this role co-leads the ongoing maintenance, alignment, and execution of MIDB's overarching strategic communications plan. This role designs and executes high-level external communication strategies that engage primary external audiences, including donors, government leaders, community partners, and institutional leaders. Serving as the strategic lead for institute brand messaging, social media strategy, and external positioning, this role translates complex scientific and clinical research into compelling narratives that build external visibility, positioning MIDB as a premier research institute to drive sustained donor investment, strategic partnerships, and competitive grant opportunities.

This position reports to the Administration and Operations Director with a dotted line report to the Director of Communications in the Office of Academic Clinical Affairs (OACA). This position also works in close partnership with MIDB's Internal Communications & Digital Operations Strategist and central University Marketing Communications teams.

Key Responsibilities

External Narrative Framework, Brand Messaging Leadership & Positioning (30%)

• Lead the strategic development, evolution, and executive oversight of MIDB's overarching brand story, core messaging frameworks, and master positioning platforms.
• Oversee the end-to-end strategy, content architecture, writing, and production of MIDB's externally facing annual report and major impact publications to demonstrate ROI to donors, University leadership, and community stakeholders.
• Co-develop an integrated institute editorial calendar with the Internal Strategist, ensuring external storytelling seamlessly complements internal messaging without overlap.
• Translate complex brain development research, clinical innovations, and grant awards into accessible, high-impact feature stories, public announcements, and thought leadership campaigns.
• Direct executive messaging and public positioning (including LinkedIn presence) for MIDB leadership and faculty researchers to amplify expert voices in national and regional forums.

Stakeholder Curation, Audience Segmentation & Salesforce CRM (25%)

• Lead the strategic buildout, management, and optimization of the Salesforce CRM platform to map, segment, and track engagement across priority external audiences.
• Cultivate targeted communication pathways for high-net-worth donors, government agencies, community organizations, and healthcare networks.
• Partner closely with the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF) to align donor communication strategies, stewardship touchpoints, and philanthropic pipeline growth.
• Evaluate external channel reach and market penetration, identifying strategic partnerships to expand MIDB's regional and national recognition.

External Channel Strategy, Social Media Governance & Public Visibility (25%)

• Define and govern MIDB's external social media strategy, platform mix, and public narrative direction across all external channels.
• Lead the strategic vision, messaging, public promotion, and executive alignment for major external events, milestone anniversaries, donor galas, and community showcases.
• Partner with OACA Communications and University Marketing Communications to secure strategic media placement and highlight MIDB research breakthroughs.
• Prepare executive leaders, principal investigators (PIs), and faculty experts for media interviews, high-level panel presentations, and public policy briefings.
• Design, execute, and measure high-visibility public campaigns and announcement rollouts to sustain momentum following key milestones.

Funding & Grant Positioning Assets (20%)

• Develop strategic communication assets, narrative frameworks, and impact collateral that enhance the competitiveness of future grant applications.
• Translate ongoing institute milestones and clinical outcomes into compelling return-on-investment narratives for institutional, state, and external funders.
• Advise PIs on external positioning and dissemination strategies to fulfill broad impact requirements for major funding bodies.

Qualifications

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree and at least 6 years of experience in a relevant field.
• Demonstrated leadership, collaboration, customer service competence.
• Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication in English.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal clients, external clients and the public.
• Proven ability to work within a fast-paced high-change environment.
• Proven experience with managing websites and social media channels.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in communication, business administration, public administration or related field.
• Ten (10) years of professional communications experience that includes supervisory responsibilities.
• Highly proficient with technology including content management systems, and email marketing software.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite (particularly InDesign and Photoshop) and video editing software.

About the Department

The Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIDB) is dedicated to fostering the healthy brain function of children across the lifespan with the mission to set and maintain a healthy trajectory for all children toward positive life outcomes through early neurobehavioral and mental health assessment, innovative targeted interventions, informed policy-making, compassionate child-advocacy, and community education. The MIDB's mission of basic and clinical research in the field of neurobehavioral development is supported by its Neuroimaging core, which fosters collaborations within departments at the University of Minnesota and across institutions to build teams with the highest possible degree of expertise.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $94K-108K; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.