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 outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Salary: $54,000 - $67,000
Job Summary
The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History, is seeking a full-time Manager of Museum Public Communications.
The Manager of Museum Public Communications is an essential position within the museum tasked with developing and implementing marketing and communications strategies required to carry out the museum's educational and public service mission. This position works in collaboration with staff from all across the museum supporting all key areas of the museum, including: public programs and exhibits; revenue generating activities; development; and the U-M Community.
This position will be supervised by the Director for Operations and Finance.
This is an exempt, regular, full-time position.
Mission Statement
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
Who We Are
The curiosity-inspiring University of Michigan Museum of Natural History (UMMNH) opened in its current location in 2019, and is embedded in an award-winning, state-of-the art Biological Sciences Building (BSB). When we moved from our former home (the Ruthven Building) next door, we made the strategic choice to put the science research and learning taking place in the building on display, and to highlight U-M STEMM (science, technology, engineering, math and medicine) research and learning taking place across the campus. As a trusted learning community partner, we welcome visitors of all ages and backgrounds and invite them to explore science with us and have their curiosity sparked. With changing and interactive exhibits, a landmark Planetarium & Dome Theater, two public hands-on labs, and all-new programs, UMMNH is an exciting and important STEMM educational resource and a destination for the public and our campus communities. Marketing, communications and public relations efforts are crucial to the impact of our museum as they lead to our ability to drive attendance, sales, and awareness as well as membership and fundraising materials and initiatives.
Why Work at Michigan?
Being part of something greater, of serving a larger mission of discovery and care - that's the heart of what drives people to work at Michigan. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. It's adding a purpose to your profession. Work at Michigan and become a victor for the greater good.
Responsibilities*
Marketing & Communications (70%):
- Content Development
- Create and/or edit content for all museum activities (events, exhibits, development, revenue-generating activities) for multiple communication channels such as website, email, press releases, social media, digital signage, exhibit and event materials, newsletters, advertising, printed collateral, etc.
- Ensure that the museum's values of expand access, amplify trust, spark curiosity, explore science, and inspire our communities are represented in communications
- Assist in researching, developing, compiling, and editing materials in various formats (i.e. reports, presentations)
- Content and Brand Management
- Oversee the implementation of the museum's brand guidelines in all materials
- Submit speciality design projects to shared services graphic designer or UMMNH graphic designer.
- Collaborate across the museum staff to meet communications and marketing needs and to ensure accuracy and timeliness of efforts
- Consult with faculty and staff content experts as needed to ensure accuracy of communications
- Manage and analyze the museum's website with an emphasis on timely and accurate visitor information
- Manage the museum's digital assets including photography files, brand and digital graphics, video, and social media elements
- Maintain and grow the museum's email databases (~18,000 contacts)
- Track digital marketing, website, email, and social media analytics; analyze the effectiveness of efforts, and make recommendations for improvement based on the analysis
- Update and order printed materials including general and membership brochures, event and planetarium rack cards, visitor maps, etc.
- Leadership and Management
- Develop and oversee the implementation of the annual strategic marketing & communications plan as aligned with the museum mission and vision.
- Serve as project manager for the marketing & communications plan
- Supervise a part-time employee assisting with content including web updates and MailChimp messaging
Social Media, Public Relations, and Engagement (20%)
- Plan strategy and oversee the creation and implementation of social media content for all museum channels
- Hire, supervise, and mentor a U-M student intern who executes the social media content
- Monitor posts to ensure accuracy
- Manage paid digital marketing initiatives, and make ongoing recommendations to increase effectiveness and optimize performance based on analytics
- Monitor and respond to online reviews
- Maintain an awareness of communications activities across the university and within the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.
- Establish networking relationships with peer communicators, and maintain awareness of related news and events across the university
- Build and maintain relationships with appropriate media outlets and other partners
- Prepare talking points, provide or arrange for media training for director and staff
Strategic Implementation (10%)
- Develop and monitor marketing and communications budget and resources
- Actively contribute to a positive team atmosphere, supporting the museum's values of expand access, amplify trust, spark curiosity, explore science, and inspire our communities.
- Serve in the staff-in-charge rotation
- Oversee or collaborate on audience demographic and opinion surveys
- Proactively make suggestions for implementing best practices in departmental processes
- Keep up-to-date on marketing and communications trends and tools
- May perform other responsibilities as assigned
Required Qualifications*
The ideal candidate is an energetic, innovative individual with the ability to work both independently and as a collaborative team member on multiple time-sensitive tasks. The candidate should be a resourceful and creative problem solver, in addition to demonstrating self-reliance and excellent attention to detail. Must be flexible and able to prioritize projects balancing time-sensitive tasks with larger strategically aligned projects.
Technical skills:
- Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or related field
- 5-7 years of professional experience in communications/marketing
- Excellent communications skills
- Significant professional experience developing and writing high quality original content for a wide variety of delivery channels as well as editing the communications work of others
- Significant professional experience developing and executing marketing and communications strategies for different stakeholders utilizing a full range of traditional, multimedia, and digital channels
- Professional experience with paid marketing channels and technologies (Google AdWords, social media and other advertising, etc.)
- Professional experience in social media and digital marketing management
- Experience in using web-based tools and technologies such as Google Analytics, Mailchimp, Sprout Social, etc.
- Strong experience in writing for the web and utilizing SEO optimization
- Professional working knowledge of brand development and standards, style guidelines, digital and print collateral requirements, and related processes
- Proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop)
- Demonstrated ability and willingness to seek and incorporate feedback to ensure the highest quality, accuracy, and clarity of communications
General skills:
- Demonstrated excellent verbal, written, presentation, interpersonal, listening, and networking skills
- Excellent project management, organizational, analytical, creative, and critical thinking skills involving multi-faceted initiatives, with a demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and strategy goals
- Strong collaborative working style with the ability to work both independently and as a member of a team
- Demonstrated awareness and implementation of best practices in expanding access and inclusion.
- Ability to occasionally work extended or flexible hours in support of museum needs and activities
Desired Qualifications*
- Background or education in science / natural history field
- Prior experience working in a natural history or other museum or travel industry
- General experience and skills in photography and videography
- Experience tagging metadata for multimedia (photo, video, etc.). Adobe Bridge or Photo Mechanic preferred
- Knowledgeable of Digital Asset Management and metadata standards required, experience with Acquia DAM (formerly Widen) a plus
Work Locations
Onsite work is required for this position with an opportunity to work remotely with supervisor's approval
The annual pay rate for this position is $54,000 - $67,000. This is a full-time, non-exempt, 40 hour/week position.
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.
Additional Information
As one of the world's great liberal arts colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.
To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision, and Values, please visit lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision.
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.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.