University of Michigan

Communications Manager

University of Michigan$80K — $100K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree and minimum 3 years of communications and/or marketing experience
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations
  • Strong project management skills with the ability to meet varying deadlines
  • Proficient in creating recruiting and marketing communication materials
  • Experience in producing web and social media content

Responsibilities

  • Define strategic communications objectives to enhance departmental reputation
  • Direct engagement efforts for faculty and staff with target audiences
  • Provide supervision and mentorship to the Communications Coordinator
  • Manage and update the department's website and communications technologies
  • Develop and implement dynamic social media strategies
  • Produce basic photography and videography services for departmental needs

Benefits

  • Hybrid work options available
  • Engagement with diverse academic and professional communities
  • Opportunity to develop a robust portfolio through varied projects
  • Support for professional growth and skill development
Full Job Description
How to Apply

A cover letter and writing sample or portfolio is required for consideration for this position; your resume, cover letter, and sample should be uploaded as one document. Please note the system will not accept multiple attachments. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position. A link to a portfolio included within the resume is acceptable.

Job Summary

Reporting to the unit administrator, the Communications Manager is responsible for:
  1. Defining the strategic communications objectives of the department
  2. Directing faculty and staff engagement with their desired audiences
  3. Managing the department's website and other communications technologies
  4. Supervising the Communications Coordinator
  5. Establishing an exciting social media presence
  6. Providing basic photography and videography services


WHO YOU ARE

The ideal candidate for this position has enthusiasm for engineering, education, research, climate science, and/or space science, though this position requires no specialized knowledge of these areas.

They are interested in using talents in written communication and community engagement to reach diverse audiences. Ideal candidates have a background in administrative leadership, communications, project management, and/or marketing. You like to take an idea and run with it, bringing it to a fully realized product. They are a skilled visual, verbal, and written communicator, able to maintain both a laser focus on detail while keeping an eye on the big picture. They can independently manage large projects that require coordination among numerous stakeholders. They are adept with technology, both common and specialized. They have experience developing and curating materials with a wide reach.

Responsibilities*
  • 30% - Define strategic communications objectives for the department to build its profile with external constituencies and increase information sharing, community, and collaboration within the department
  • 25% - Direct faculty and staff engagement with desired audiences (university,community, students, faculty, etc.) for their research, programs, and events
    • Create related digital and print media (flyers, posters, graphics) using Adobe Creative Suite and Mailchimp email platform ; effectively d eploy marketing collateral
    • Work with the college Marketing and Communications team to promote newsworthy stories to be amplified at the college level
    • Promote departmental academic and research programs at events such as major/minor fair, national scientific conferences, etc.
  • 15% - Provide supervision, mentorship, and guidance to the Space Institute's Communications Coordinator
  • 10% - Manage the department website and other communications technologies (e.g., MCommunity directories) for necessary updates and enhancements. Post new content (news stories, updates, etc.) arising through interaction with faculty and students. Facilitate content management and news schedule in partnership with department leadership; consult and offer web content support to the department faculty, staff and students, and CLaSP partners using tools like WordPress
  • 10% Develop an engaging and dynamic social media presence, providing guidance on platforms and best practices
  • 5% - Provide basic videography and photography services, including designing and maintaining a photo directory and YouTube channel
  • 5% - Other responsibilities as assigned

Required Qualifications*

Bachelor's degree and minimum of three years of communications and/or marketing experience.

Demonstrated strength in communicating effectively with a diversity of people. Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects with varying deadlines. Excellent oral presentation, written and verbal communication skills, as well as interpersonal skills with a diverse population, are critical.

Previous experience creating and implementing successful recruitment or marketing communication plans and demonstrated experience in producing print, website, social media, digital advertising, and other media communications.

No experience in STEM fields is required, but curiosity about the world around you and how communications fits into it is.

Desired Qualifications*

Five or more years of communications and/or marketing experience.

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 .

Job Detail

Job Opening ID

282211

Working Title

Communications Manager

Job Title

Communications Manager

Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

Modes of Work

Hybrid

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

College Engineering

Department

CoE Climate & Space Sci Eng

Posting Begin/End Date

8/25/2026 - 9/08/2026

Salary

$80,000.00 - $100,000.00

Career Interest

Communications & Marketing

About University of Michigan

The University of Michigan is a public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan system. The University of Michigan was founded in 1817 in Detroit, as the Catholepistemiad, or University of Michigania, 20 years before the territory became a state. The school moved to Ann Arbor in 1837 onto 40 acres (16 ha) of what is now known as Central Campus. Since its establishment in Ann Arbor, the university campus has expanded to include more than 584 major buildings with a combined area of more than 34 million gross square feet (781 acres or 3.16 km²), and has two satellite campuses located in Flint and Dearborn. The University of Michigan is a founding member of the Association of American Universities.
Learn more about University of Michigan
Size
50,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1817

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