Posted: 07-Dec-23
Location: East Lansing, Michigan
Salary: Open
Internal Number: 915786
Position Summary
The Office of the Provost seeks a Communications Manager II/S to plan, develop and implement university-level integrated communications strategies for both internal and external audiences. The Communications Manager II/S serves as a key member of a cross-functional communications, marketing and events team. This position will manage team members and work closely with unit leadership in support of academic affairs initiatives. The Communications Manager II/S will primarily be focused on executing internal engagement strategies for our audiences, developing/writing/editing content for distribution through a variety of communication channels, managing social media materials, developing and implementing compelling visual content such as video and/or photography, updating websites via a content management system, developing strategic communication plans, and implementing various strategies and tactics to reach unit-specific goals. The Communications Manager II/S will coordinate creative and production processes and conceptualize, create, and manage projects that meet high professional standards for quality and accuracy.
Duties and Responsibilities
Communications Management
- Supervises and directs a communications staff of two establishing clear goals, evaluating goal achievement, and maintaining standards of performance; ensures projects are adequately staffed, managed, documented, and completed on time.
- Understands connection between MSU brand and unit-level strategic goals that translate into effective campaign direction and application
- Works closely with the communications team to manage production of effective marketing communications and execution of campaigns or projects
- Plans, creates, produces and edits news and information gathered from campus sources in order to write stories and news releases for media and publications to inform the public and internal university audiences of key issues and events
- Assists with preparation of leadership talking points, blogs, mass emails, and other documents bearing the executive leaderships’ names as requested
- Manages and oversees implementation of social media strategies in collaboration with team and leadership
- Coordinates strategic content development for university and unit communications, working with designers, writers, web specialists, and other team members
- Produces creative briefs and strategies for developing institutional and unit communications
- Consults with campus communicators on marketing communications, including brainstorming ideas and presenting creative concepts as appropriate
- Develops concepts and materials for marketing campaigns that may include web, print, email, and digital assets
Editorial Content Management
- Writes and edits copy as needed to support development of communications in alignment with strategic priorities
- Edits and proofs marketing communication assets including, print, web, digital, and video for grammar, spelling, punctuation, accuracy, and appropriateness, as well as organization and flow
- Ensures that style and tone of editorial content meet objectives and align with brand
- Ensures that facts, dates, and statistics are accurate and useful to the audience
- Provides feedback, offers suggestions, and rewrites content as appropriate to maximize effectiveness of communications
- Assists in maintaining editorial style and brand standards and ensuring that guidelines are followed
Communication/Interpersonal Relationships
- Office of the Provost Communications and Events team - this position is part of a cross-functional team of marketing, communications, and event professionals serving multiple units within the Office of the Provost. This position will oversee and collaborate on work related to the Student Information System project, Work Life Office, Undergraduate Education, Faculty and Academic Staff Development, Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation, Ethics Institute and other key units within the Office of the Provost.
- Associate Provosts - to solicit relevant information in the development of end-user education materials, and email marketing and outreach.
- Campus communicators - to acquire, develop and edit content from university unit-level communications, including print, newsletters, and websites.
- University Communications - to build relationships and collaborate on campus updates as needed
- Students/Faculty/Staff - in order to solicit feedback for a variety of project-related materials to support change management efforts.
- Campus community (students, faculty, staff) to engage in change management outreach, provide clarification, resolve concerns, and/or explain goals of APUE.
- University departments - in order to communicate necessary information between APUE and projects or activities.
- External groups - in order to coordinate events and activities, respond to inquiries, and exchange information.
- Supervisors - in order to receive assignments and clarification, report on progress and exchange information.
Reporting
The Communications Manager II/S reports to the Senior Communications Manager for the Office of the Provost
Impact on Programs/Services/Operations
Michigan State University faculty, staff, and students are involved in activities that, if publicized to constituents, can enhance the public image and build the reputation of the university. Accuracy of content and consideration for university policy is critical in pieces for internal and external audience consumption to avoid inconvenience for the audience and any potential negative impact on the university's reputation.
Unit Specific Education/Experience/Skills
Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Journalism, Telecommunications, Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations, or related field; three to five 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; and/or experience in a field related to are of employment; may require management and supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Desired Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience and excellence in strategic marketing and communications planning, campaign development and execution
- Demonstrated experience and excellence in writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, especially related to storytelling
- Effective organizational, time management, and project management skills
- Application and demonstration of strong editorial judgment
- Strong interpersonal skills with individuals and groups in diverse settings
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and meet multiple deadlines
- Proficiency with standard industry software, such as Microsoft Word
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, three professional references
Work Hours
STANDARD 8-5
Website
provost.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.
The Bidding Eligibility ends on 12/12/2023 at 11:59 PM
