Strategic Communications Project Manager at University of Dayton

Wayne State University; Dayton (OH); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Wayne State University is seeking a Strategic Communications Project Manager to support the Air Force Rapid Sustainment Office’s communication plan. You will manage schedules, coordinate multi-channel content, and track outreach metrics while collaborating with leadership and subject matter experts.

The role requires 3+ years in communications or marketing, strong writing and organization, and the ability to work with minimal supervision. Occasional travel to multiple locations is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or management.
• Minimum 3 years communications or marketing experience.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work under minimal supervision.
• Proficiency in Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office software - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project.
• Experience managing communication projects, schedules, and deliverables from start to finish.
• Experience developing communications content across multiple channels (e.g., newsletters, social media, briefings, success stories).
• Successful collaboration within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Familiarity with SharePoint.
• U.S. citizen due to research contracts with the U.S. federal government.
• Reliable means of transportation for short-notice, multi-location in-person needs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the day-to-day manager of RSO communication activities and projects.
• Track schedules and deliverables.
• Convert technical information into accessible formats.
• Coordinate content creation across the communications team.
• Manage internal and external communication channels (website/SharePoint, social media, newsletter).
• Develop metrics to track strategic outreach activities.
• Travel between UDRI locations, base, and mission locations as needed.
• Collaborate with RSO leadership, focus-area liaisons, SMEs, and AF Public Affairs.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Organizational skills

Self-motivated

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's Degree in communications

Tools

Adobe Acrobat

Microsoft Office

SharePoint

Job description

Strategic Communications Project Manager

Join UDRI in supporting the Air Force Rapid Sustainment Office through strategic communications, project management, and outreach that advance mission-critical sustainment initiatives. We invite qualified applicants to apply for our Strategic Communications Project Manager opening today!

This position works alongside the Air Force Rapid Sustainment Office (RSO) to support a broad array of programs for sustainment activities and may support additional UDRI customers and initiatives as needed. Specifically, this position focuses on marketing and communication activities in support of the RSO Communications Plan, requiring strong organizational and communication skills. Serving as the day-to-day manager of RSO communication activities and projects, this position tracks schedules and deliverables, converts technical information into desired formats, coordinates content creation across the communications team, manages internal and external communication channels (including the RSO website/SharePoint, social media, and the RSO Insider newsletter), and develops metrics to track strategic outreach activities. This position is co-located with the customer at the Hangar 01 facility. The position also supports exhibiting and event requirements for the RSO and ensures products align with the RSO Brand Guide and established key messages. Work is performed in coordination with RSO leadership, focus-area liaisons, subject matter experts, and Air Force Public Affairs (AFLCMC/PA).

This position will travel between UDRI locations, base, and other mission locations to support communications work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or management
• Minimum 3 years communications or marketing experience
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Self-motivated with the ability to work under minimal supervision
• Proficiency in the use of Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office software - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project
• Experience managing communication projects, schedules, and deliverables from start to finish
• Experience developing communications content across multiple channels (e.g., newsletters, social media, briefings, success stories)
• Successful collaboration within a multi-disciplinary team
• Familiarity with SharePoint
• Strong attention to detail
• Due to the requirements of our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates must be a U.S. citizen
• Reliable means of transportation to respond to short-notice and multi-location (UDRI locations, WPAFB, and other mission locations) in-person needs, as appropriate

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5 or more years of communication or marketing experience
• Demonstrated effective verbal/written communication with clients at all levels
• Working knowledge of SharePoint tools
• Demonstrated successful experience developing communications/marketing/social media content
• Demonstrated experience developing or executing a communications plan and maintaining a consistent brand across products
• Demonstrated experience managing social media platforms (e.g., LinkedIn) and developing press releases, newsletters, slicksheets, and success stories/case studies
• Familiarity coordinating external communications with a public affairs office (e.g., AFLCMC/PA)
• Familiarity with US military offices and acronyms
• Demonstrated experience planning and coordinating presence at industry tradeshows
• Working knowledge of US Air Force Materiel Command, Air Force Sustainment Center, and Air Logistics Complexes
• Knowledge of UDRI and UDRI systems

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the dignity of every human being. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity in all of its forms, achieve fair outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. The University is committed to policies of affirmative action designed to increase the employment opportunities of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1973.