Recruitment Communications Manager / Communications Manager I

MSU - Michigan State University; East Lansing (MI); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan State University College of Education is seeking a Recruitment Communications Manager to blend creativity, strategy and data to attract future Spartans. You will manage email journeys, lead nurture campaigns and support digital advertising for recruitment and enrollment goals.

Based in East Lansing, MI, this hybrid role requires on-campus collaboration two days per week and opportunities to shape college-wide recruitment marketing practices while staying current with platforms and

Qualifications

• Knowledge of or experience with Slate CRM platform and email marketing campaigns.
• Experience in public relations, journalism or communications with content production.
• Ability to analyze data to inform recruitment strategies and improvements.
• Excellent written and oral communication, AP style familiarity, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and in a team within a dynamic College environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and strategic direction of drip campaigns and lead nurture strategies for program-based recruitment efforts.
• Create, standardize and optimize email automation activities in our CRM platform.
• Conceptualize, launch and track lead generation, email drip/nurture campaigns.
• Analyze reporting and identify trends to recommend continuous improvements.
• Collaborate with program directors and Communications to keep program pages updated and accessible.
• Coordinate and support paid advertising efforts, including researching channels, placing buys and monitoring performance.
• Assist with development and coordination of marketing materials aligned with branding guidelines.
• Support Zoom webinar scheduling and setups.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Slate CRM

Email marketing

Analytics

Project management

Content strategy

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Journalism

Telecommunications

Public Relations

Tools

CRM platforms

Advertising platforms

Job description

Working/Functional Title

Recruitment Communications Manager

Position Summary

The top-ranked College of Education is seeking an innovative Recruitment Communications Manager who is excited to blend creativity, strategy and data to help future Spartans discover their path at the MSU College of Education. From developing email journeys and lead nurture campaigns to supporting digital advertising, this role plays a key part in shaping how prospective students experience and engage with the College of Education.

This role will leverage the Slate platform to send emails to prospective students in the application pipeline, standardize and optimize college efforts, and provide strategic guidance to programs. In addition, this role will create and manage advertising campaigns that support recruitment and enrollment goals. This position offers opportunities to recommend strategies, test new approaches and help shape college-wide recruitment marketing practices.

The MSU College of Education is a community of students, educators and researchers prepared to meet the challenges of education and kinesiology. Our vision is to be a preeminent college of education at a land-grant university. As an integral part of our Communications team’s efforts in advancing the College of Education’s mission and vision, the ideal candidate will be a creative self-starter who takes initiative, yet works collaboratively within a team of college stakeholders. The ideal candidate will be committed to staying current on platforms, trends, technologies and best practices related to enrollment communications and marketing.

Key Responsibilities and Functions

• Lead the development and strategic direction of drip campaigns and lead nurture strategies for program-based recruitment efforts
• Create, standardize and optimize email automation activities in our customer relationship management (CRM) platform
• Conceptualize, launch and track lead generation, email drip/nurture campaigns
• Analyze reporting and identify trends to recommend continuous improvements
• Collaborate with program directors and the Communications team to keep associated program web pages updated with relevant information while enhancing search engine optimization and accessibility
• Coordinate and support paid advertising efforts, including researching effective channels to achieve objectives, placing advertising buys, monitoring performance and recommending improvements
• Assist with the development and coordination of marketing and advertising materials, ensuring alignment with MSU and College of Education branding guidelines
• Support Zoom webinar scheduling and set‑ups
• Other duties as assigned

The successful candidate will join a dynamic Communications team that values innovation, experimentation and continuous improvement. While recruitment communications are the role’s primary focus areas, team members have regular opportunities to contribute and collaborate on storytelling, social media, publications, podcasts, videos and other strategic initiatives.

The successful candidate must be comfortable working independently and as part of a team. The successful candidate must also be able to work in a fast-paced environment, including balancing multiple projects and requests at once.

College/Institutional Impact

The role contributes directly to how Michigan State University and the College of Education are represented to prospective/current students, alumni and the public. Thoughtful, accurate and engaging content helps build connection and trust, while errors may negatively impact reputation and judgment.

Unit Structure & Expectations

This position reports to the Senior Director of Communications for the MSU College of Education and works closely with multiple individuals and teams across the College of Education. The hybrid position requires at least two (2) days of on-campus, in-person work each week in East Lansing, MI. Additional on-campus time, including evenings and weekends, may be required based on events or business needs.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Journalism, Telecommunications, or Public Relations; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in public and media relations, composing, editing and publication production, news, broadcasting, and print media, and/or marketing, advertising, and creative services; graphic design; word processing; desktop publishing; web design; presentation; spreadsheet and/or database software; public presentation; or radio production; or computer programming/technology; experience managing content for social media channels; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working with the Slate CRM platform
• Knowledge of or commitment to learning and enacting digital accessibility principles and inclusive content practices
• Demonstrated experience with developing and optimizing email marketing, advertising and/or other digital recruitment campaigns
• Evidence of a commitment to ongoing learning of trends and current best practices
• Experience with analytics tools and turning numbers into insights
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with individuals and groups in a diverse environment
• Excellent written and oral communication
• Proficient or working knowledge of AP Style, or similar editorial styles (Chicago, APA, etc.)
• Passionate attention to detail

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

• Cover letter
• Resume
• 1-3 examples of communications or marketing work led or created by the applicant (and/or a link to an online digital portfolio of previous work)
• 3 professional references

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Website

education.msu.edu

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment, and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Bidding eligibility ends October 27, 2026, at 11:55 PM