Communications Manager

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How to Apply

A cover letter, resume, and writing samples are required for consideration for this position. In your cover letter, in two pages or less, explain your interest in the role and how your skills and experience align. Include three professional writing samples, with at least one article or press release. Please submit all materials together in a single file due to system limitations. All materials will be assessed for written communication skills.

Job Summary

The Office of the Vice President for Communications (OVPC) is the central communications unit for the University of Michigan and works in collaboration with hundreds of communicators across our three campuses and academic medical center. Within that larger unit, you will play an important role on the Public Affairs team, which serves as the institutional voice for the University of Michigan. The team handles reputational issues, media inquiries for the central administration, and communications planning for major initiatives.

The work is often fast-paced, deadline-driven, and high-volume, requiring diplomacy, organizational skills, and resourcefulness. As a communications manager, you will focus on responding to requests from journalists, writing for the University Record, advising partners on strategy, developing communications plans, and otherwise helping to develop, manage, and execute communications from across the university.

In working with local and national journalists, you will evaluate media requests and develop responses. This requires the ability to quickly gather information from across a large, decentralized organization, validate facts, and synthesize multiple perspectives into succinct and accurate statements. A key to success will be your ability to write with power and precision, capturing the university's position in a way that conveys nuance and complexity but is also easy to understand for the general public.

You will report to the Director of Public Affairs and will work a hybrid schedule with defined in-person days. Responsibilities often fall outside of traditional working hours, given the time-sensitive nature of the work.

Why Work at Michigan?

Benefits At The University Of 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
  
  

Responsibilities*

• Support communications and issues management.
• Develop and execute communication plans related to university initiatives and priorities.
• Write, edit, and advise on multiple written communications, including media statements, releases, campus messages, and briefing documents.
• Develop and maintain long-standing relationships with members of the media.
• Collaborate with a broad array of internal partners.
• Represent the Director in meetings.
  
  

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree.
• 5+ years of applied expertise in public relations, journalism, and writing.
• Interest or experience working in higher education or a decentralized, complex organization.
• Experience working in media relations.
  
  

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience working in the news media.
• Experience working in higher education.
• Experience managing crisis communications.
• Experience working in a decentralized, complex organization.
  
  

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.

Underfill Statement

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification, depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate. The salary range for the lower classification (Public Relations Senior) is $80,000 - $90,000.

Additional Information

New hires are typically hired into the lower portion of the range, enabling employee growth in the range over time. Actual placement in the range is based on job-related skills and experience, as evaluated throughout the interview process. A higher salary is possible for exceptionally qualified candidates.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

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

Job Opening ID

258374

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

Vice Pres Communicat

Department

Public Affairs

Posting Begin/End Date

1/06/2025 - 2/07/2025

Salary

$90,000.00 - $110,000.00

Career Interest

Communications & Marketing