This position reports to the associate
to the senior vice president/strategic communications director in the U of M
System Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Administration (OAA),
which provides academic and administrative leadership for system-wide programs
advancing the mission of the University of Minnesota.
The Communications Coordinator will
assist the strategic communications director in advancing communications
strategies for OAA priorities, congruent with University goals. This includes
multifaceted support for University-wide academic programs as well as
initiatives in public/urban/statewide engagement.
The
individual in this position must be a versatile communications professional
with excellent writing and editing skills. He or she will engage with many
activities and functions in the Office of the Senior Vice President, with a
focus on initiating and managing programs and projects that span a wide range
of communications activities, often juggling multiple projects, priorities, and
deadlines.
Responsibilities Include:
- Within scope of responsibility,
provide direction for communications initiatives and activities. Includes
advancing activities spanning external and internal relations, publications and
presentations, design and branding, marketing/promotion, web and social media,
and events and outreach/engagement initiatives.
- Set priorities congruent with
overall direction and manage resources and workflow aligned with OAA and
University goals, serving as a liaison with directors and colleagues and
coordinating print and web projects and project teams.
- Write and edit print and web content
to engage a variety of internal and external audiences, to include copy for
brochures and marketing collateral, content for e-newsletters and mass emails,
and feature stories for print and web. Post and edit web content using CMS
tools.
- Develop, write, and edit materials
and presentations to support OAA academic administrative needs. Requires
ability to synthesize a variety of detailed information and to translate
complex material for varied audiences and strategic purposes, with close
attention to nuances of wording, style, and tone.
- Collaborate to implement and manage
effective social media for OAA programs and initiatives.
- Serve as a resource for OAA programs
and units on communications solutions and best practices.
- Plan and carry out special
initiatives and events.
- Supervise student employees/interns;
manage contractor/vendor resources as applicable (e.g., internal/external
services related to design, production, video, photography, and printing).
- Contribute to OAA communications
team planning, problem-solving, and creative collaboration.
-
Support responsibilities of the senior vice president; represent the director
or others as appropriate; attend pertinent university events and meetings;
other duties as directed.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in English,
communications, journalism, or marketing with four years of professional
communications experience, or non-communication-related degree with six years
of professional communications experience.
- Demonstrated experience shaping or
coordinating communications for an organization.
- Exceptionally strong writing and
editing skills, including demonstrated strengths in writing/editing across many
formats and platforms, and translating complex information into effective
communications for varied audiences.
- Experience developing and managing
content for both print and web channels.
- Experience communicating with
stakeholders from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
- Proven strengths in project
management, multitasking, problem-solving, and attention to detail.
- Demonstrated collaborative work
style; ability to work well with diverse individuals and groups.
- Successful experience assisting
leaders and senior staff with projects by working independently or as part of a
team.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Seven years professional experience
in communications, preferably in large and complex organizations.
- Higher education work experience
and/or experience working with mission-driven organizations such as health care
systems, foundations, or nonprofit organizations.
- Experience working with
community-based organizations, especially involving diverse
cultures/communities in urban contexts.
- Proven skill in communicating
effectively to varied stakeholders about complex and interdisciplinary University
research, teaching, and outreach.
- Familiarity with design concepts and
use of social media in marketing communications.
- Practitioner expertise in one or
more of the following areas of focus: videography/video storytelling, graphic
design and print production, or photography; Adobe Creative Suite proficiency a
plus.
- Ability to work with exceptional
resourcefulness and initiative.
-
Ability to articulate ideas persuasively and diplomatically.
The
University of MN is an equal opportunity educator and employer.