How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to it.
Job Summary
The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts is seeking a motivated, enthusiastic, and skilled administrative professional for the Programs and Communications Coordinator role.
Mission Statement
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
Who We Are
EARTH is a diverse and vibrant intellectual community dedicated to excellence through research and teaching. The mission of the department is to promote education and scientific discovery about our planet. We welcome all who are curious about the EARTH and we strive to create an environment that is accessible and supportive to everyone.
Responsibilities*
Reporting to the chief administrator, the Programs and Communications Coordinator has three major domains: communications (internal and external), events (some routine and
some high level), and development (donor engagement). In this role, you are responsible for developing a communication strategy to drive engagement with internal stakeholders, alumni/donors, and the public. You will direct department events ranging from seminars to large alumni gatherings at 2-3 annual national conferences.
You will plan, write, and deploy departmental communications, including social media posts, newsletters, and the departmental website, ensuring information is provided to a wide array of audiences: students, staff, faculty, prospective students, alumni, friends of the department, and the public.
Specifically, the duties of this position are:
- Communications (50%) The coordinator is responsible for creating a communications strategy that maximizes impact of: newsletters, the department website, social media, building signage/slides, and prospective student info sheets.
- Development (30%): The Program and Communications Coordinator will devise a strategic plan for building alumni engagement and will roll out events and communications to support it. This will include administrative management of the Alumni Engagement Committee and its projects, including setting agendas and creating related communications. Despite engagement on these projects, the Communications Coordinator will not be directly responsible for fundraising.
- Events (20%): The coordinator supports both large- and small-scale events that build community and generate the spread of information. These may include designing/planning small-scale student events (open houses, info sessions, lunch seminars); offsite alum dinners and receptions; major events (e.g. 100-year anniversary celebration) at our field station, Camp Davis, in Jackson, WY; and established lecture series.
Skills You Have
You are an energetic and creative communications pro interested in using your talents in written communication and audience engagement to reach diverse audiences. You have a background
in strategic communication, project management, and/or marketing. You like to take an idea and run with it, bringing it to full realization. You are a skilled visual, verbal, and written communicator. You have a laser focus on detail while keeping an eye on the big picture and what's coming down the pike. You are able to independently manage large projects that require coordination among numerous stakeholders. You are adept with technology, both common and specialized. You have experience developing and curating materials with a wide reach.
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree and minimum of three years of communications and/or outreach experience.
- Demonstrated strength in communicating effectively with a diversity of people.
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects with varying deadlines.
- Excellent oral presentation, written and verbal communication skills, as well as interpersonal skills with a diverse population, are critical.
- Previous experience creating and implementing successful recruitment or marketing communication plans and demonstrated experience in producing print, website, social media, digital advertising, and other media communications.
- No experience in STEM is required, but curiosity about the world around you and how
communications fits into it is
Modes of Work
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.
Additional Information
As one of the world's great liberal arts colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.
To learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion in LSA, please visit lsa.umich.edu/lsa/dei.
To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision.
Background Screening
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.
Application Deadline
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.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.