Position Overview

The College of Education and Human Development is looking to fill two Communications and Marketing Manager positions. One position is located in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) and one position is located in the Department of Educational Psychology both are academic units in the College of Education and Human Development.  The responsibility of each position is to develop a marketing and communications strategy for their Department and the program areas within their Department.

The Communications and Marketing Manager provides leadership in defining and implementing all strategies related to branding, marketing, and communication for the Department. The overarching responsibility of this individual is to develop a branding strategy for the Department and the divisions within the department. The communications and marketing manager will also lead the marketing efforts of degree and licensure programs and professional development opportunities to prospective students and holds the main role in developing content management and communications plans for the department. Independent decision making on how programs and events are best marketed to UMN students seeking a degree will be a key component of this position.

The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. Flexible work arrangements may include flexibility in schedule and/or work location. Please note that 100% remote work requires approval. All UMN employees are expected to follow applicable public health and safety procedures. 

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Project Management—20%

• Create marketing and communications vision, goals, and strategic plans that promotes the departmental mission and drives academic and professional recruitment, student retention and engagement, alumni engagement, and funding for research initiatives
• Develop and lead marketing campaigns for academic programs aimed at diverse audiences, including new programs, in order to attract prospective students and establish a presence within the university community.
• Develop mechanisms to drive website traffic and manage recruitment funnels.
• Solicit feedback from current and prospective audiences to refine communication and branding strategies.
• Consult on committees and work groups in the department to define target audiences and develop marketing strategies and tactics. Provide leadership in these areas, based on knowledge of communication strategies and best practices.
• Explore partnerships across the College and University that may provide opportunities to recruit or market Department activities and degree programs.
• Oversee applicable vendor negotiations.
• Manage a small marketing budget; strategizing how best to stretch limited financial resources and make recommendations for cost-effective communications channels wherever possible.
• Compile reports for department leadership.
• Use analytics and data to inform and finesse strategy.

Branding and Marketing—25%

• Identify, understand, and cultivate the Department’s key audiences through multiple, consistent touchpoints, resulting in a call to action; develop a cohesive market positioning strategy for the Department.
• Develop and implement an intuitive messaging hierarchy through the website and other communication channels. Make independent decisions on how information is best communicated to internal and external audiences.
• Explore, develop, and implement strategies to engage alumni and increase exposure among community members and potential donors.
• Develop and implement the Department’s editorial strategy including voice and tone guidelines and a brand style guide for the Department. Implement individualized messaging strategy where applicable.
• Leverage UMN and College brand where appropriate to increase reach and brand equity while collaborating with department research and insights to reinforce brand identity.
• Provide consultation to department staff as to when printed materials are necessary and strategic.
• Develop and execute department policies for branding. Monitor brand usage within the department.
• Serve in the role of department Content Strategist and cooperate with CEHD Web team and other departmental content strategists to develop and adhere to shared standards for Web content and delivery within the department and across the college.
• Research and implement effective communication strategies for web, print, email marketing, and social media.

Website and social media oversight—25%

• Work in collaboration with the CEHD web team and communications office; manage the website content and strategy.
• Manage and improve workflows for admission and application through the Department’s website, Slate, and Cognito
• Direct complex web-based communications for large department including academic programs, centers or labs, degrees and research in collaboration with faculty and staff to ensure accurate and comprehensive information.
• Research, develop, write, and edit material for the Department’s website that highlights key initiatives, programs, students, alumni, and faculty.  Maintain consistency across all the Department’s program area web pages.
• Assess, evaluate, and implement changes to website architecture, organization and structure, technologies, and tools for continuous improvement.
• Provide consistency across the departmental website, providing templates for areas of common messaging, such as admission processes and program requirements; collaborate with College and University staff to maintain consistency in other venues.
• Orient departmental faculty and staff to new technologies; support faculty and staff project web pages.
• Participate in CEHD content strategy meetings and regularly meet with departmental leaders, staff, and faculty to coordinate on messaging and communication strategies.
• Select and develop social media platforms to grow the Department’s reach and engagement where appropriate.
• Consistently measure usage data for social media and website in order to make strategic data-driven decisions about content.
• Set up photo shoots and edit photos digitally for use in web and print.

Writing and Communications—20%

• Manage, edit, and write content needs for Department, Research Centers or Labs, College, and University media channels as needed
• Define, map, implement, and evaluate a communications plan for the department’s print and digital media needs in alignment with branding and marketing strategy.
• Make independent decisions and recommendations on how information is best communicated to internal and external audiences
• Define, develop, and implement the Department’s visual identity in digital and print medium to correspond with standards set by the college and university.
• Oversee production of print materials.
• Plan, develop, and write significant new editorial projects; oversee content for Department newsletters, CEHD news blog, website, email, and social media as well as University media channels, in coordination with the CEHD Office of Communications.
• Solicit stories, biographies, and content from faculty and stakeholders, rewriting as needed for marketing purposes, and promote externally by effectively translating research findings for different audiences including prospective students, practitioners and the community.

Supervision – 10%

• Hire, train, and supervise student communications assistants to perform social media, print media, and website updates
• Ensure marketing brands and standards are maintained consistently within the team.
• Provide oversight of performance and maintain a culture of personal and professional development.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Art, or a related field plus at least 4 years of professional communications experience
• Experience marketing and writing for the web in ways that effectively account for a variety of diverse backgrounds, communities, identities, and abilities
• Experience editing for content, style, grammar, and spelling
• Experience with web applications such as Dreamweaver, content management systems, and social media management
• Experience with design applications including InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator
• Experience successfully developing and implementing a communication plan

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing communications in higher education or a similar field
• Experience writing professionally and managing an editorial calendar
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, demonstrating exceptional writing skills for a variety of audiences
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Proven ability to manage multiple and simultaneous projects and activities, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills enabling one to work both independently and collaboratively and to build consensus with diverse groups of people
• Proven ability to view problems through various lenses and implement change that fits multiple communications needs simultaneously
• Demonstrated understanding of content strategy and website design and production processes
• Experience with Web-related software and programming (HTML5, CSS)
• Ability to develop and initiate projects and work without close supervision

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

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.

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