Job Summary

The Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX office (ECRT) is looking for a highly skilled communicator to join our team. Reporting to the Executive Director, you will collaborate with team members, subject matter experts, and university communications professionals to develop and deliver proactive, strategic communications plans for the many service areas of ECRT.

You will also supervise ECRT's Digital Communications Specialist. You will advise on strategic direction and develop communications approaches and detailed plans while observing organizational formats, style and branding requirements. 

You will help develop proactive communications strategies for ECRT. General assignment work will involve creating and delivering well developed communications plans that address new issues and engage and inform staff and faculty.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with ECRT teams to develop and implement strategic communication plans to support communications throughout the broader university. 
• Develop and execute strategic communications plans for projects and special programs for ECRT. This could include support for leadership messaging, policy changes, benefits and other departments of ECRT. 
• Design and implement comprehensive communication strategies that align with organizational goals and effectively reach target audiences.
• Summarize technical and policy-related information and translate into easily understood, applicable communications. 
• Write, edit and proofread content for multiple communication channels, including website, newsletters, internal communications and social media.
• Identify the most effective communication channels (email, presentations, social media, etc.), and tailor content to different audience segments for maximum impact.
• Identify audience segments and create customized content to maximize effectiveness.
• Create materials to brief leadership on new issues related to projects and initiatives.
• Supervise the Digital Communications Specialist, and other staff as assigned.
• Develop communication protocols for responding to crises and sensitive situations with clarity, empathy, and transparency.
• Assist in promoting training sessions, workshops, and ECRT events would help highlight the role's engagement in outreach.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications or related field, or equivalent combination of education, certification, and experience.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in a related role developing communication and marketing strategies to meet measurable goals.
• Experience with communications and marketing in higher education.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of communications strategies for continuous improvement.
• Ability to translate complex information into easy-to-understand communications.
• Experience working with leadership to develop and refine communications. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive topics with professionalism, discretion, and a trauma-informed approach.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience creating accessible communications such as: PDF, PowerPoints and other documents/modalities.
• Experience in civil rights, Title VI/IX communications, marketing and PR.
• Master's degree in communications or related field, or equivalent combination of education, certification, and experience.

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