Director of Marketing & Communications

Director of Marketing & Communications

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How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and highlight your experiences that directly relate to this position.

Candidates selected for an interview may be asked to provide a portfolio of their successful marketing and communications projects and campaigns.

With questions about the position or office, or for requests for accommodations or support with the application process, please email UMSI Human Resources at [email protected] .

Who We Are

TheSchool of Information ( is a progressive, interdisciplinary professional school that offers five academic programs. UMSI delivers innovative, elegant, and ethical solutions connecting people, information, and technology. The school was one of the first iSchools in the nation and is the premier institution studying and using technology to improve human computer interactions. Our school mission is to create and share knowledge so that people will use information - with technology - to build a better world.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Dean of Information, you will lead a team of communicators and partners, working closely with the School of Information (UMSI) teams and leadership to effectively represent the School's mission and vision to multiple audiences and to market UMSI's academic and research programs. The director is a creative thought leader for the school who sets the tone for collaboration and goal-setting, seeks out and tells UMSI's unique stories of achievement and impact, and implements reflective and data-informed communications and marketing strategies.

Responsibilities *

Strategy & Leadership (50%)

• Partners with school leadership and departments (i.e., development and alumni relations, recruitment, research administration, others) to develop and implement marketing and communications strategies across multiple channels that ensure consistent, effective, and integrated messaging and practices across platforms.

• Serves as a member of the UMSI Management Team.

• Co-leads the creation of a recruiting strategy for each of UMSI's programs in collaboration with the Office of Academic and Student Affairs; oversees production of digital and physical products (web, print, video, advertising) necessary to support the strategy.

• Manages the school brand.

• Maintains knowledge of marketing and communications best practices and trends and ensures professional development of the UMSI M&C team.

• Provides leadership in communications best practices across the many teams and communicators working throughout the School; maintains channels (such as shared resources or a communicators' working group) to keep distributed communicators informed, coordinated, and connected to the School's broader strategy.

• Works with cross-departmental partners to support their communications goals - supporting strategic planning, discussing outcomes, identifying learning moments, and generating ideas for future campaigns.

• Sets and implements a data collection strategy to support the assessment of marketing and communications initiatives and activities.

Public Relations (15%)

• Evaluate opportunities for the school to engage with campus-wide and off-campus efforts that raise visibility and recognize UMSI accomplishments.

• In collaboration with the dean, coordinate publicity plans for UMSI unit-led events.

• Coordinate and direct crisis communications (internal and external), planning and coordinating as needed with the dean and school leadership.

• Coordinate releases to media outlets, including photos, videos, and interview arrangements.

Communications Operations (15%)

• Responsible for oversight of the school's website and social media channels, including content, promotion, performance management, and reputational management, as well as identifying promising new or declining channels.

• Oversees maintenance of data repository related to website, social media performance, and other data sources deemed valuable.

• Oversees governance and use of the school's internal intranet, with internal content development delegated to departments and teams across the school.

• Oversees photo and video content development.

• Manages the production of print products for the school.

• Serves as creative producer and editor-in-chief for digital and print publications; writes original content as needed.

• Provides or delegates support for the dean's communications as needed.

• Oversees the development and placement of advertising in collaboration with relevant teams.

Team Leadership (15%)

• Leads the UMSI M&C team, which currently includes 7 staff members, 3 of whom report to this position.

• Supervisory responsibilities include annual reviews/goal setting with M&C team members; developing and sustaining appropriate training; and monitoring individual job performance.

• Manages personnel and materials budgets.

• Meets regularly with the dean, summarizes and reports on team activities and responsibilities, and recommends items for broader circulation to faculty, staff, or other audiences.

Service, Learning & Professional Development (5%)

• Support the mission and goals of the school and the strategic priorities of the Dean;

• Serve on school, university, or professional organization committees/boards;

• Participate in a variety of professional development activities, including maintaining any required professional certification or licensure.

Required Qualifications *

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, public relations, business, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 8 or more years of progressively responsible experience in marketing and communications.

• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing integrated marketing/communications strategies, including branding, public relations, and digital/social media.

• Experience managing a marketing or communications team, including staff supervision, goal-setting, and performance management.

• Demonstrated experience leading or supporting crisis communications planning and response.

• Experience managing a recruiting, enrollment, or audience-engagement marketing strategy in partnership with academic or administrative units.

Desired Qualifications *

• Experience in higher education marketing and communications, particularly within a school or college setting.

• Master's degree in marketing, communications, public relations, or a related field.

• Experience coordinating distributed or matrixed communications functions across multiple teams or departments.

• Experience with website content management systems, web analytics platforms, and design/publishing software.

• Experience managing or governing an intranet or internal communications platform.

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 (Vacation, Holidays, Season Days, Family Leave)

• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions after 12 months of eligible service, with immediate vesting

• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance

• Dental and vision insurance

• Life insurance

• Long-term disability coverage

• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

• Tuition support program

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 thework modes ( .

This is a hybrid position. You will coordinate your schedule with your supervisor in accordance with school policy. You may be required to travel to multiple locations on and off campus. The main office workspace for this position is located in the Leinweber Computer Science and Information Building. Punctual and regular attendance is required. You will be required to work during non-business hours and on weekends based on the requirements for your position

Additional Information

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This position may work with and/or support systems that maintain or process sensitive institutional data as defined by university policy. Successful candidates must comply with federal, state, and local law, and/or university policies or agreements that require the university to implement specific privacy and security safeguards, including but not limited to ITAR, EAR, HIPAA, FERPA, and FISMA. This position is responsible for protecting data and information from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion; and following applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files and release of data internally or externally to the University of Michigan.

Salary Information

The salary range for this position is $140,000 - $155,000. Salary is determined by direct relevant experience and demonstrated past performance results while ensuring equity on our team. While rare, we may offer a salary above the posted range for an exceptionally qualified candidate, considering internal equity and budget. All candidates are encouraged to discuss salary questions to honor alignment and transparency throughout the recruiting process.

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 will be 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 any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Job Detail

Job Opening ID

279346

Working Title

Director of Marketing & Communications

Job Title

Communications Director

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

School Information

Department

School of Information

Posting Begin/End Date

6/25/2026 - 7/09/2026

Salary

$140,000.00 - $155,000.00

Career Interest

Communications & Marketing

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