Job Summary
Unit X is a new presidential initiative launched with a $250 million investment from the University of Michigan. Co-led by Dr. Arul Chinnaiyan (Michigan Medicine) and Dr. Joerg Lahann (Engineering), Unit X will accelerate biomedical innovation discovered at U-M by integrating health sciences, engineering, and advanced supercomputing.
Unit X is seeking a temporary part-time Communications Director for an initial engagement to lead the execution of our marketing and communications roadmap following our initial launch. Reporting to the Institute's Operations and Strategic Initiatives Manager, and working in close collaboration with university leadership and institutional partners, this position will play a pivotal role in establishing Unit X's global brand, driving audience engagement, and amplifying high-impact stories of bio-innovation, venture creation, and donor support.
The ideal candidate brings a senior executive-level communications mindset, exceptional storytelling ability, deep fluency across digital and social media, and the ability to translate complex scientific and technical concepts into compelling, audience-centered communications.
This is an initial one-year, temporary part-time position, approximately 20 hours/ week with the potential to extend based on unit needs.
About Unit X
Unit X is a presidential initiative designed to revolutionize the translation of academic research into real-world medical breakthroughs and start-up ventures. By uniting researchers, clinicians, computational scientists, and entrepreneurs across U-M, Unit X aims to position the University of Michigan as the premier global hub for bioinnovation.
Responsibilities*
Strategic narrative, media & integrated communications - 40%
- Lead the execution of Unit X's master narrative and multi-channel communications strategy across digital, web, email, print, and video channels.
- Translate complex biomedical discoveries, supercomputing applications, and venture creation milestones into clear, compelling stories for academic, industry, venture capital, donor, and public audiences.
- Partner with senior leadership to support executive communications, thought leadership, presidential reporting, and high-stakes stakeholder messaging.
- Pitch high-impact stories to university media partners (Michigan News, UMSocial) and national technical and tier-1 media outlets.
- Connect and collaborate across U-M academic units to maintain a cohesive voice and foster cross-campus alignment.
Digital content strategy, brand, and web oversight - 35%
- Serve as the primary editorial and content lead for the Unit X digital platform (Sanity Studio CMS), collaborating with web developers (Michigan Creative) and designers to publish fresh, engaging content.
- Oversee content creation for digital newsletters, impact reports, donor engagement materials, and venture showcases in partnership with the Office of University Development (OUD).
- Direct creative direction for short-form video, visual assets, and multimedia campaigns that elevate Unit X's initiatives and entrepreneurial talent.
- Maintain brand messaging frameworks, ensuring alignment with U-M brand standards and accessibility guidelines (SPG 601.20)
Social media, community engagement, and influencer strategy - 15 %
- Build, direct, and execute high-growth social media strategies across platforms (LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Instagram, YouTube) to cultivate an audience of researchers, venture partners, alumni, and donors.
- Develop narrative-driven campaigns and high-profile stakeholder/ alumni collaborations to build cultural relevance and engagement around Michigan start-ups.
- Monitor social analytics and listening data to evaluate campaign performance and adjust storytelling priorities.
Management & operational leadership - 10%
- Manage digital marketing budget, campaign scopes, and agency/ vendor relationships.
- Establish data-informed KPIs to track web traffic, audience growth, and engagement metrics.
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.
- 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in strategic communications, integrated marketing, or agency/ brand consulting.
- Exceptional storytelling skills, with a proven track record of translating complex scientific, technical, or academic concepts into captivating multi-channel content.
- Demonstrated expertise across digital and social platforms with experience using data analytics to optimize reach.
- Proven ability to guide creative direction across web, video, email, and print media.
- Experience managing CMS platforms (WordPress, Drupal, Sanity, etc) and executing email marketing platforms (Constant Contact, Mailchimp, Marketing Cloud).
- Strong project management and collaborative skills suited for navigating complex, high-profile university ecosystems.
Desired Qualifications*
- Master's degree in Communications Management, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field.
- 10+ years of experience blending higher education engagement with corporate/ tech agency creative strategy.
- Direct experience leading high-profile storytelling, executive thought leadership, or influencer/ alumni engagement campaigns.
- Prior experience with the University of Michigan system or a major research university setting.
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
- General business hours for Unit X are Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 5PM. Occasional evening or weekend availability may be required for Unit X's launch event or high-profile visits.
- Work Location: Ann Arbor, MI (NCRC Complex).
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.