A cover letter, resume, and writing samples are required for consideration for this position. In your cover letter, in two pages or less, explain your interest in the role and how your skills and experience align. Include three professional writing samples, with at least one article or press release. Please submit all materials together in a single file due to system limitations. 

The Office of the Vice President for Communications (OVPC) is the central communications unit for the University of Michigan. We work in collaboration with hundreds of communicators across our three campuses and academic medical center. For more information on our office, visit https://vpcomm.umich.edu/.

As the director of strategic communications, you will lead three core functions. One, you will build and execute a proactive strategy to measurably strengthen the university's reputation around institutional priorities and leadership - most especially news related to Vision 2034. The aim is to strengthen our proactive storytelling and elevate the vision's four impact areas: life-changing education; human health & wellbeing; democracy, civic & global engagement; and climate action, sustainability & environmental justice.
 

Second, you will lead the team that produces the University Record, the official news source for the campus community and its website, weekly print edition, and daily email newsletter. Third, you will support the Public Affairs team in responding to reputational issues.

 
All of that work will require you to quickly gather information, validate facts, and synthesize perspectives in order to write media statements, presidential messages, and other campus communications. Because of the nature of this role, you must be adept at both proactive and reactive communications and have the ability to switch gears quickly, as needed. 

The work within these areas is often fast-paced, deadline-driven, and high-volume, requiring strong diplomacy, organizational skills, and resourcefulness. The ability to identify reputational opportunities and to write persuasively, with precision and power, will be key to success. Because of the busy nature of the office, you must be able to handle short-term, deadline-oriented tasks while also making progress on longer-term priorities. 

You will report to the Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs and be able to work onsite three or more days a week. Responsibilities often fall outside of traditional working hours given the time-sensitive nature of the work of the office. 

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
   

• Develop and execute a multi-channel proactive communication strategy to increase awareness of institutional strengths and priorities.
• Oversee production of the University Record's weekly print edition, website and daily email newsletter.
• Lead proactive earned media efforts for institutional strengths and priorities.
• Pitch stories to national, trade, and local media.
• Develop, write, and place op-eds in national media and higher-ed trade outlets.
• Lead the review and approval of filming requests. 
• Support crisis communications and issues management.
• Collaborate with a broad array of stakeholders across the university.
   

• Bachelor's degree
• 10+ years of applied expertise in public relations, journalism, and writing.
• Interest or experience working in higher education or a decentralized, complex organization.
• Track record of strengthening reputations through proactive communications.
• Experience managing and providing leadership to a team.
• Experience in journalism and/or media relations. 
• Experience writing and placing op-eds in national media and higher-ed trade media.
   

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.

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification, depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate. The salary range for the lower classification (Public Relations Manager) is $120,000 - $140,000.

New hires are typically hired into the lower portion of the range, enabling employee growth in the range over time. Actual placement in the range is based on job-related skills and experience, as evaluated throughout the interview process. A higher salary is possible for exceptionally qualified candidates. 

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.

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