Summary

The Biosciences Initiative (BSI) is a Presidential Initiative that seeks to contribute to U-M’s existing excellence and growth in the biosciences.

The Initiative began in the fall of 2017, led by Dr. Roger Cone, Vice Provost and Director of the Biosciences Initiative. Jennifer Ohren serves as the Managing Director.

In addition, the Biosciences Coordinating Committee (BICC) provides strategic leadership to guide strengthening research and education in the biosciences across the university.

The Biosciences Initiative is looking to hire an independent, detail-oriented marketing and communication specialist.

This position is a key role focused on communication strategies and tactics for the BSI.  The person in this role will deliver timely, consistent, and relevant communications to internal and external customers that accurately reflect and promote BSI strategies and activities. In addition, the Initiative seeks a person to be in charge of media, marketing, analytics, and reviewing and collecting data from our funded programs.

What You'll Do

The Marketing Communication Specialist’s role includes the planning and execution of communications tactics for audiences primarily comprised of faculty across the biosciences on the Ann Arbor campus, university leadership, the Biosciences Initiative Coordinating Committee, as well as potential external customers in the Ann Arbor community.

This position will help to plan, prepare and disseminate information about BSI activities and impacts through internal university communication channels and select external outreach.

The successful candidate will accomplish assigned duties through written communications, and personal contacts. Public relations duties include writing press releases, quarterly newsletters, preparing weekly digests, maintaining the BSI website, updating university event calendars, annual reports and partnering with communications officers and other stakeholders in units across campus, as well as potential intra-industry relations.

Responsibilities*

In addition to serving the Biosciences Initiative and the Ann Arbor bioscience faculty, the Marketing Communication Specialist will be expected to:

• Assist in the development of tactical plans to promote Biosciences Initiative activities, community outreach, capabilities, resources, and connections

• Collect and assess data needed for the accurate communication on Biosciences Initiative programs

• Create electronic marketing materials, including website content management,
  e-newsletters, email announcements, webinars, etc.

• Develop communications, including strategic messaging and Power Point presentations

• Develop event marketing, including training sessions, outreach, and co-sponsored events with other U-M organizations

• Survey and collect market research data (surveys, customer interviews) to determine and shape Biosciences communication needs

• Provide connectivity with staff in the Offices of the President, Provost and VP for Research, as appropriate, and with other collaborators, stakeholders and University partners

• Maintain knowledge of the Biosciences Initiative missions, goals and objectives

• Maintain working knowledge of University bioscience faculty and research interests, capabilities and activities

Supervision Received: Direct supervision is received from the Managing Director of the Biosciences Initiative

Required Qualifications*

• Customer-focused

• Professional experience in marketing and/or communications

• Experience employing market research tools and techniques, marketing, web content management, and event programming

• Fluency with Microsoft and/or Google platforms, including word processing spreadsheets and presentations.

• Experience with Word Press (or other CMS)

• Strong organizational, verbal, writing and graphics skills

• Demonstrated communication skillset

• Ability to act effectively both independently and as a member of a team

• Flexibility to meet changing priorities

Desired Qualifications*

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in business, marketing/communication, or equivalent experience and education

• Experience in customer-focused functions and executing tactical plans

• Self-starter with an ability to set priorities

• Event planning

• Experience in higher ed, U-M preferred

• Ability to interact effectively with a wide variety of people

Additional Information

This is a 12-month term-limited appointment with the possibility of renewal, dependent on continued funding and scope of initiative.

FLSA Status: Exempt job classification for this title. Incumbents in this position must meet the full criteria for exempt status: salary level, salary basis, and duties tests.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

U-M COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

COVID-19 vaccinations, including one booster when eligible, are required for all University of Michigan students, faculty and staff across all campuses, including Michigan Medicine.  This includes those working remotely and temporary workers.   More information on this new policy is available on the U-M Health Response website or the UM-Dearborn and UM-Flint websites.