The University of Michigan Department of Robotics seeks a Communications Manager to lead the department's communications and marketing function. The Communications Manager will identify and amplify the stories and experiences of the faculty, students, and staff who work together to create smart machines that serve society.

Reporting to department leadership, the Communications Manager will develop and execute communications strategy in partnership with the department chair and leadership team. This position produces original reporting and creative content, manages the department's communications platforms, and advises leadership on media, reputation, and audience engagement.

The Communications Manager increases the visibility and impact of robotics research, accomplishments, researchers, and programs; develops partnerships; and supports the success of faculty, students, and staff. The manager also represents the department to College and University communications units and collaborates closely with the College of Engineering Office of Communications and Marketing. 

A link to the full job description can be found here.

Communications Strategy and Counsel: Develop and implement the department's communications and marketing strategy with the chair and leadership team. 

Content Creation and Storytelling: Generate research news, materials and publications.

Digital Platforms, Web, and Infrastructure: Manage the department's social media strategy, editorial calendar, publishing, and performance reporting. 

Reputation, Recognition, and Recruitment: Develop materials for award nominations, recruitment and outreach activities, and other department publicity.

Outreach and Department Operations: Provide support of department events, media, and communication tools.

Bachelor's degree in a communications-related field or equivalent experience. Communications experience spanning strategy, digital platforms, and multimedia content. Excellent writing and editing skills, including translating technical information for broad audiences. Website development and social media experience. Strong project management, judgment, discretion, and collaboration skills.

The successful candidate should have experience with, or the ability to learn, Adobe Creative Cloud-especially Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro; Git-based version control and cloud-hosting platforms, such as GitHub and Netlify; web content management systems; email marketing and newsletter platforms; social media publishing and analytics tools; photography, video, and audio production equipment; collaboration platforms, including Slack, shared calendars and drives, mailing lists, and online forms; and web analytics, accessibility, search optimization, and site-quality tools.

Experience in higher education, robotics, research, or another complex organization. Background in media relations, crisis and executive communications, reputation management, award nominations, and recruitment or admissions campaigns. Familiarity with web accessibility, search optimization, audience analytics, content management systems, web hosting, Git-based version control, and digital platform maintenance.

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.

The Communications Manager must be able to work effectively in a collaborative academic environment and occasionally adjust their schedule to support events, media engagements, tours, or other time-sensitive communications. Some evening or weekend work and limited travel may be required.

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.

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 any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

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.