The Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication is seeking a dynamic Senior Marketing and Communications Manager to lead its strategic communication efforts. This role is essential in elevating the Schoolâ™s brand, expanding digital engagement, optimizing content management, and strengthening relationships with key stakeholders, including students, faculty, alumni, donors, and media partners. This position will oversee the development and execution of a social media strategy to enhance visibility and engagement. Managing the Schoolâ™s website will also be critical, ensuring it remains visually appealing, highly functional, and SEO-optimized while seamlessly integrating with social media and digital marketing efforts. The Senior Marketing and Communications Manager will feature the Schoolâ™s research, thought leadership, and student and faculty accomplishments through various communication channels, events, and recognition efforts. Content management will be integral to the role, creating compelling content that aligns with the Schoolâ™s mission. The Senior Marketing and Communications Manager will maintain a content calendar, lead the redesign of the Schoolâ™s magazine to better connect with alumni, and oversee a photojournalist-in-residence program to enhance storytelling efforts. The Senior Marketing and Communications Manager will lead the campaign to bring the Schoolâ™s brand proposition to life, fostering a strong sense of identity among students, faculty, and alumni. Strengthening relationships with alumni and donors through multi-channel storytelling and expanding social media engagement will be essential. Additionally, the role will focus on deepening partnerships with media and professional communities, ensuring the Schoolâ™s ongoing impact in the industry through key events and internship opportunities. This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic and creative communications leader to shape the narrative of one of the nationâ™s top journalism and mass communication programs.
APPOINTMENT DETAILS
This is a 100 % -time 12-month Academic and Professional Administrative (P&A) appointment located on the Twin Cities East Bank Campus. This position is eligible for hybrid work; in-person work will be required depending on School activities. The position reports directly to the Chief of Staff.
Job Responsibilities:
Drive Digital Growth 30%
Develop and execute a social media strategy, incorporating both organic and paid campaigns to boost visibility and engagement, working with the Schoolâ™s student-run strategic communication agency.
Oversee the Schoolâ™s website, ensuring improved usability, aesthetics, and responsiveness while aligning with the Schoolâ™s brand identity.
Optimize content for SEO to improve search engine rankings and attract targeted audiences.
Integrate the website with social media and digital marketing initiatives to create a cohesive and engaging user experience.
Manage the account team from the Schoolâ™s internal agency in supporting the digital strategy.
Elevate Brand Positioning 20%
Leverage the School's strategic plan, events and philanthropic initiatives to highlight research and thought leadership.
Showcase the trailblazing work of students, faculty, staff, and alumni through various communication channels, events, and recognition efforts.
Develop communications to enhance faculty and staff understanding and commitment to the Schoolâ™s brand positioning.
Develop and implement a comprehensive style guide to ensure and embrace brand consistency across all communications.
Optimize Content Management 30%
Develop compelling content aligned with the brand positioning while engaging with faculty to highlight their research and engagement.
Create and maintain a content calendar to ensure a consistent, high-quality content pipeline across all platforms.
Execute the redesign of the Schoolâ™s magazine to better engage and inform alumni.
Enhance the quality of photography by launching a photojournalist-in-residence program to support storytelling efforts.
Manage the account team from the Schoolâ™s internal agency in supporting the content management strategy.
Build Engaged Communities 20%
Launch an internal campaign to bring the brand proposition to life, fostering a strong sense of community.
Grow the Schoolâ™s social media following with engaging, regular content highlighting student and alumni success stories.
Strengthen alumni and donor relationships through multi-channel storytelling that showcases achievements and impacts.
Build and maintain strong partnerships with media and professional communities by promoting internship opportunities, guest lectures, and key School events such as the Fall and Spring Forums.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelorâ™s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field.
Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in strategic communications, branding, and content management within an agency or professional environment or working with clients to lead strategic communication innovation.
Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills with experience across multiple channels (print, digital, social).
Proficiency in digital marketing tools, analytics, content management systems, SEO, and social media management.
Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
Able to create communication pieces that utilize storytelling best practices through photojournalism and graphic design.
Track record of carrying out effective communication campaigns with varied and diverse audiences and constituents
Strong project management and organizational skills; able to prioritize and manage multiple projects.
Able to carry out and lead throughout the full creative processâ”from conception to execution/production.
Commitment to working with students, faculty and staff to build an inclusive, collegial and fun working and learning environment
Demonstrated track record of embracing new strategic communication methods and media.
Involvement in local, state, or national/international associations, such as the Minnesota Interactive Marketing Association, American Advertising Federation, International Association of Business Communicators, Public Relations Society of America, MIMA, etc.
The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.