Marketing Communications Specialist

How to Apply

A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience. In the cover letter, in two pages or less, please let us know how you will align your career aspirations and skills. Submit both a cover letter and resume as one file (because of system limitations). 

What You'll Do

The Center for Academic Innovation at the University of Michigan is looking for a qualified Marketing Communications Specialist. Reporting to the Communications Lead, you will contribute to the center's mission by developing marketing communications strategies with a primary focus on Michigan Online, which is home to more than 300 online learning experiences that have engaged more than 12 million unique learners around the world. Your work will directly contribute to our goal of providing access to a Michigan education to learners everywhere around the world.

Mission Statement

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

The Center for Academic Innovation (CAI) is committed to inclusion in our organizational work, culture, climate, and the products we create. We aim to recruit a diverse team as a reflection of our commitment to our work designing equitable and inclusive learning and work environments that are necessary for the university community to make progress on solving societal challenges. CAI draws on each of our team member's unique backgrounds and experiences to guide our everyday work in the center, and our team collaborates with students, staff, and faculty on projects that center our commitment to DEI work. All interested applicants, including those from groups historically marginalized by educational privilege, are encouraged to apply. 

Organizational Statement on Harassment 

We believe all individuals deserve to be treated with respect and have the right to work in a professional atmosphere that promotes mutual respect and a safe space for collaboration. Any concerns shared with Individuals with Reporting Obligations in the Center for Academic Innovation will be reported to the Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office to be reviewed and addressed, and the Center for Academic Innovation encourages reporting of any forms of harassment including sexual and gender-based harassment.

Who We Are

About the Center for Academic Innovation

Through curricular innovation, tools for student success and equity, and educational research, the University of Michigan Center for Academic Innovation is building the future of education. Our vision is a future in which education connects and empowers learners everywhere to reach their full potential throughout their lives. To accomplish our vision, we make it our mission to collaborate across campus and around the world to create equitable, lifelong educational opportunities for learners everywhere.  

About the Marketing and Market Strategy Team

The Marketing and Market Strategy team works with all the center's teams to help enhance the center's awareness and reputation and lead enrollments and adoptions of its learning opportunities and educational technology tools. 

For more information, please visit our website: Academic Innovation. 

Responsibilities*

Create meaningful storytelling and engaging digital content for Michigan Online, social channels. Collaborate with colleagues to develop content based on marketing goals and strategic communications priorities. 

Social media  

• Maintain an annual content plan for Michigan Online social media accounts, identifying goals for the coming year 
• Create and post the digital content required by the social calendar, including copy, images, and video; work in partnership with marketing and communications team colleagues when needed 
• Monitor engagement with Michigan Online audiences to ensure response, audience nurturing, and inform future content and campaign strategy 
• Ensure the Michigan Online social calendar aligns with email, advertising, and other scheduled marketing efforts; collaborate with communications colleagues to maintain broader communications calendar 
• Manage paid student social influencer campaign 

Measurement and optimization 

• Examine social media and website analytics, report on important metrics, and make recommendations based on analysis 
• Measure and distribute engagement metrics for priority campaigns on digital platforms 
• Maintain high awareness of trends and best practices in digital marketing, communications, and social media 

Marketing communications asset development 

• Create Michigan Online course marketing toolkits (suggested social copy, images, video) for internal and CAI partner marketing use 
• Create promotional stories aligned with target audiences of online learning experiences, including news releases, faculty Q&As, learner stories, and features 
• Create content for Michigan Online email marketing, info sheets, landing pages as assigned 

Other responsibilities as assigned 

• Coordinate with student fellows who support social media work at the center, including discussing social media content needs, content calendars, reviewing work, and providing feedback.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelors degree and 2 years of relevant professional experience in marketing and communications role, including creating social media content to promote a business, nonprofit or educational institution 
• Experience using social media management tools, e.g., Sprout Social, Hootsuite
• Experience using Adobe Creative Suite software 
• Use video editing software (e.g., Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere) to create videos for social media

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

Salary Information 

The general salary range for this position is $60,000 - $65,000. You can expect to be paid a great compensation package. Factors used to determine salary include education level and experience for the position and internal equity within the unit. You are encouraged to discuss salary questions to honor agreement and transparency throughout the recruiting process. 

Please Note:  This is a 5-year, term-limited position with the possibility of renewal depending on funding. 

Candidates must have authorization to work in the U.S. 

The mode of work for this position is Hybrid. The work requirements for this position allow both onsite and offsite work and you will have an expected regular and recurring onsite presence. On occasion, you may be required and must be available to work onsite more frequently if necessitated by our center's policy and domain leadership or by your job requirements. 

Excellent benefits are available, for details, see http://benefits.umich.edu/ 

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 anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.