Job Description

Position Summary

This Communications Manager position is a dual reporting position that supports two core departments in the MSU College of Natural Science (NatSci): the Department of Mathematics (50%) and the Department of Statistics and Probability (50%), while also supporting the Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS) program. 

This role is ideal for a self-motivated communicator with a talent for identifying compelling narratives, writing engaging content, and driving proactive communication efforts with minimal supervision.  The ideal candidate thrives on uncovering untold stories and has a strong ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with diverse teams. The position is a part of the NatSci Marketing and Communications infrastructure, with a primary reporting relationship within the departments and a secondary reporting relationship to the NatSci Senior Marketing Officer.

The successful candidate for this position will serve as the primary coordinator of digital and print communications for those units above, which are comprised of a community of exceptional scholars, students and staff from diverse nationalities, ethnicities and backgrounds. Research, teaching and outreach activities are conducted across the fields of mathematics, statistics, probability and data science to deepen our understanding of the natural world and contribute to a thriving planet and healthy communities through scientific discovery and innovation.

Key responsibilities for this position include identifying, researching, producing, writing and editing releases and feature materials for digital communications, media and publications. Source material may come from faculty, students and staff at MSU, as well as from alumni and other members connected to the MSU community. Audiences include, but are not limited to, university communities and peer institutions, public and private funders, current and prospective students and scholars, alumni and donors, industry and stakeholder groups, media organizations, the interested scientific public and the home departments themselves. Effective communication skills across a wide range of audiences are critical.

The Communications Manager provides guidance for the departments’ overall communication strategy/growth and assists with content, news, and assets development for web and social media content, e-newsletters, print publications, and media. The position implements innovative social media and e-communications marketing campaigns to support traditional media, public relations, and advertising activities and to promote departments’ pride points and events.

Additional duties include supporting communications goal setting, execution, tracking and reporting; maintaining and updating files including statistical reports and measurements; file management of assets including multimedia, images, video, graphs, etc.; and serving as a liaison with other university departments/colleges including University Communications.

The Communications Manager I is a hybrid work position.  This position is expected to work on campus three to four days per week with one to two days working remotely.  The work schedule for this position is 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Journalism, Telecommunications, Public Relations or Mathematical Sciences; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in public and media relations, composing, editing and publication production, news, broadcasting, and print media, and/or marketing, advertising, and creative services; graphic design; word processing; desktop publishing; web design; presentation; spreadsheet and/or database software; public presentation; or radio production; or computer programming/technology; experience managing content for social media channels; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

The ideal candidate would have:

Experience with science writing, working in academia/higher education and a willingness to learn, drawing complex mathematical or statistical structures and other scientific representations is a plus.

• Demonstrated ability to proactively generate and write compelling stories utilizing comprehensive communication strategies to ensure audiences understand the positive impact of the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Statistics and Probability has on the MSU community, the academic community, and the broader community at-large.
• Ability and desire to take work independently and take initiative on projects, identifying priorities, and manage multiple assignments
• Familiarity with editing, writing, managing a content management system (e.g., Omni, Mura, Drupal, WordPress) and social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube).
• Interest in scientific topics related to the mission of NatSci, the Departments of Mathematics and Statistics & Probability, and the MSDS program.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize and summarize complex information and communicate clearly and concisely.
• Effective time management skills.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

• A complete application
• Cover letter
• Resume/CV 
• Three samples of short non-fiction writing samples, communication pieces, etc. 
• Names and contact information for at least three professional references. 

Special Instructions

Please note that the Communications Manager I is a hybrid work position.  This position is expected to work on campus three to four days per week, with one to two days working remotely.  The work schedule for this position is 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Bidding eligibility ends January 21, 2025 at 11:55 P.M.

About Michigan State University

Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.

Connections working at Michigan State University

Job Tags

Work experience placement, Remote job, 3 days per week, Monday to Friday,

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