How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. Your cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline your directly related qualifications. For questions or accommodation requests, contact [email protected].
Job Summary
UMICH Votes is a nationally recognized non-partisan campus coalition working to increase access to voting, build student confidence in navigating the democratic process, and foster a culture where voting is viewed as essential to civic life. We're looking for a mission-driven communications professional to lead the storytelling and strategic messaging behind one of the most impactful student voting initiatives in the country.
Reporting to the Faculty Director of UMICH Votes and Democratic Engagement, the Communications & Marketing Specialist ensures consistent, nonpartisan voter information reaches students, faculty, and broader audiences while enhancing UMICH Votes' visibility, brand, and impact.
In this role, you will:
- Drive voter engagement across one of the largest public university systems in the country
- Shape a cohesive communications strategy that reaches 60,000+ students
- Collaborate with passionate student leaders, staff, faculty, and national democracy partners
- Contribute to a non-partisan, inclusive culture that welcomes students from all backgrounds
This is a hybrid role requiring regular on-site work on campus 2-3 days per week. The standard working hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional evening and weekend hours required. A full job description is available here.
Why Work at Michigan?
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, we offer a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and any eligible family members, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
- Generous time off, holidays, and Season Days
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting upon meeting eligibility requirements
- Many choices for health, dental, and vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Responsibilities*
Communications Strategy (50%)
- Internal University of Michigan Communications: Lead unified internal messaging for UMICH Votes across departments, student groups, and faculty/staff in collaboration with Turn Up Turnout.
- Website Management: Maintain and optimize the UMICH Votes website with user-friendly, SEO-aligned content.
- Brand Stewardship: Build and promote UMICH Votes as a trusted, non-partisan brand. Monitor and respond to campus discourse around voting and democracy.
Marketing and Outreach (50%)
- Print & Signage: Design and distribute print materials/signage in strategic campus locations that direct audiences to Go Vote resources.
- Digital Marketing: Manage Instagram presence in collaboration with U-M Social; increase visibility, engagement, and website traffic.
- Media Content: Create high-quality content for events and voting sites with campus partners.
- Press & Coverage: Coordinate media engagement with outlets like The Michigan Daily and The University Record to drive awareness.
- Voter Engagement: Promote accurate, vetted voter information to the U-M community with an emphasis on early registration and voting.
- Internal/External Communications: Collaborate with campus partners to monitor discourse on voting and democracy and respond strategically to misinformation.
- Promotional Materials: Develop and distribute informational and functional marketing materials/swag in collaboration with coalition partners.
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- 3+ years of experience writing, designing marketing materials (ex: digital, print, promotional items), and designing and implementing marketing strategy
- Experience adapting messages for multiple media platforms (ex: websites, social media, newsletters)
- Experience with design software (ex: Adobe Creative Suite) and digital content creation
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.
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 Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.