Executive Director of Marketing & Communications

Executive Director Of Marketing And Communications

The University of Michigan Law School (Michigan Law) seeks an experienced and collaborative marketing strategist and communications leader to serve as its Executive Director of Marketing and Communications.

The ideal candidate will bring strategic vision, sound judgment, and a willingness to engage deeply in the work. They will be an experienced communications leader and trusted advisor with a track record of developing and implementing high-level, sophisticated marketing and communications strategies. They will bring strong judgment about priorities and opportunities for impact, along with experience leading talented teams to produce compelling, effective work. This is an opportunity for a proven leader to help shape and articulate the story of one of the nation's leading law schools.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff and serving as a key member of Dean Neel Sukhatme's senior leadership team, the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications will provide strategic vision and leadership for the Law School's marketing and communications efforts. The Executive Director will develop and implement a marketing and integrated communications strategy that advances the Law School's mission, strategic priorities, reputation, and visibility among internal and external audiences. The Executive Director will help establish institutional communications priorities, identify opportunities where marketing and communications can have the greatest impact, and ensure that the team's work and resources are aligned with the Law School's broader goals.

The Executive Director will manage a budget of $600,000 and lead a talented team of 10 responsible for a broad portfolio that includes strategic communications, media relations, editorial and content development, social media, digital and web strategy, marketing, creative services, and internal communications.

Importantly, the Executive Director will also serve as a trusted advisor to the Dean, other senior leaders, and faculty, providing thoughtful and candid counsel on institutional messaging, reputation, and sensitive and emerging issues. The Executive Director will bring sound judgment and organizational savvy, with an ability to navigate complex institutional dynamics and build trust across a wide range of stakeholders. They will understand not only how best to communicate, but when, why, and to whom, while ensuring a coordinated approach to messaging with University counterparts.

Key opportunities and challenges for the Executive Director include advancing Michigan Law's vision, visibility, and impact; strengthening and evolving marketing and communications capabilities; serving as a strategic advisor and counselor to senior leaders; and leading and developing a talented, long-standing team.

Required qualifications include significant experience in marketing, communications, public relations, media relations, or a related field, especially in a law school, the legal industry, or higher education. The successful candidate will also have significant supervisory and management experience, demonstrated success in developing and implementing marketing and integrated communications strategies, sophisticated knowledge of digital marketing and communications technologies, experience using data and audience insights to shape strategy, and exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.