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Communications Specialist

Job Description

How to Apply

A cover letter and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) statement is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first pages of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position. Please include 2-4 examples of your work that you feel reflects your abilities to perform in this position. This could include writing, marketing, multimedia, social media or other relevant platforms.

Summary

The Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME), a dual-school department with the College of Engineering and Michigan Medicine Medical School, is seeking an experienced Communications Specialist to join our team. 

The Communications Specialist will be responsible for any departmental projects related to marketing and communications, such as coordinating, developing, and maintaining a variety of communications and marketing platforms, including written and multimedia stories, websites, social media, presentations, events, digital and print marketing products.  The position will also collaborate with the department, College & Michigan Medicine School staff, faculty, and other marketing and communication professionals to craft and disseminate the department's strategic goals.

The Communications Specialist will assist the Department Chair, Unit Administrator, and the Michigan Engineering and Michigan Medical School Communications & Marketing teams in determining and executing marketing and promotional needs for the BME department. In consultation with the Department Chair, the BME Communications Specialist will develop and execute a marketing and communications strategy. They will analyze, compare and evaluate various courses of action and have the authority to make independent decisions on matters of significance within the scope of their job responsibilities. The department is committed to providing a positive team environment that supports staff and their needs. 

Who We Are

Michigan Engineers are world-class educators, researchers, students, and staff who strive to build a people-first future. As part of the nation’s number one public research institution, Michigan Engineering’s mission is to provide scientific and technological leadership to the people of the world, develop intellectually curious and socially conscious minds, create collaborative solutions to societal problems, and promote an inclusive and innovative community of service for the common good.

Our vision, mission, and values are supported by a people-first engineering framework that guides our work. As Michigan Engineers, we strive to apply excellent engineering fundamentals, integrated expertise, and equity-centered values to reimagine what engineering can be, close critical gaps, and elevate all people. Information about our vision, mission, and values can be found at: http://strategicvision.engin.umich.edu/.

The University of Michigan has a storied legacy of commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Michigan Engineering models that commitment in our research, culture, and collaborations. We seek to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of that commitment. Learn more about DEI at Michigan Engineering:

https://www.engin.umich.edu/culture/diversity-equityinclusion/https://www.engin.umich.edu/culture/diversity-equity-inclusion/

Why Work at Michigan?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

  • Generous time off

  • A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting

  • Many choices for comprehensive health insurance

  • Life insurance

  • Long-term disability coverage

  • Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

  • Maternity and Parental Leave

Responsibilities*

  • Develop and execute a strategic marketing and communications plan for BME and create and coordinate both printed and digital assets with appropriate delivery methods such as presentations, targeted email, printed documents, newspaper articles, web pages, social media, etc.

  • Collaborate with department and College of Engineering staff to create research stories, videos, and promotional materials and ensure that marketing materials, publications, newsletters, etc., are accurate, consistent in branding with Michigan Engineering and Michigan Medicine Medical School, and are issued on a timely basis.  Solicit and evaluate feedback regarding communications and make improvements continuously.

  • Development and oversight of print publications (i.e., newsletters, brochures, etc.) and electronic products (website articles, e-newsletters, websites, social media posts, etc.)  Coordinate and develop communications for large projects, multiple projects, and projects with high visibility, such as recruiting materials, department events, student group information, and the department website.

  • Build internal and external audiences and promote department messages through a dynamic set of multimedia channels, especially social media and video.

  • Design, build and deploy web pages for the BME department and individual faculty labs.  Work with faculty, researchers, and graduate students to develop and update web pages highlighting the group's specific research activities.

  • Maintain active and regular collaboration and consultation with the Communications & Marketing teams in Michigan Engineering and Michigan Medicine to maximize the impact and work of Biomedical Engineering, obtain feedback and support from colleagues, and ensure brand standards.

  • Track and maintain a list of student, faculty, and staff awards.

  • Support BME alum strategies and initiatives.

  • Interface and coordinate work with designers, developers, photographers, and videographers on projects.

  • Provide on-site support at BME events, including basic photography.

  • Attend conferences as requested to capture interviews, awards, and BME accomplishments for promotion.

Required Qualifications*

  • Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, or related field and a minimum of three years of experience in a marketing or communications position.

  • Excellent communication skills, including drafting original content for newsletters, written stories, web pages, social media posts, presentations, etc.

  • Demonstrated knowledge and use of current social media platforms and trends.

  • Expert knowledge of technology and tools associated with communications, multimedia, digital collaboration, and productivity tools, including website content management systems, Google Tools, Photoshop, and Microsoft Office.

  • Experience overseeing, developing, and implementing websites and managing/growing audiences for social media.

  • Ability to work independently or as a member of a team.

  • Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.

  • Ability to work well under the pressure of deadlines and changing priorities.

  • Ability to maintain confidentiality while working with highly sensitive information and use excellent judgment on a variety of sensitive subjects.

Desired Qualifications*

  • Experience working in higher education, preferably in an academic department.

  • Familiarity with UofM communications environment and brand standards.

  • Experience with social media software.

  • A proven record of relationship-building with researchers, alumni, and external partners to achieve strategic goals.

Work Locations

The Michigan Engineering Office of Biomedical Engineering operates in a hybrid work environment consisting of both in-person and remote work. This position will be classified as a FLEX position within the Michigan Engineering STARR classification matrix, which means working on campus 2-3 days per week and working the rest of the week remotely. You can find more information here: https://rpm.engin.umich.edu/human-resources/telecommuting/.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

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

*Please mention you saw this ad on AcademicJobs.*

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