OR&I Director of Communications
The Office of Research and Innovation (OR&I) supports MSU’s research enterprise by administering research funding, ensuring research integrity for both faculty and students, providing grant support services, fostering collaboration, licensing university inventions, and overseeing regulatory compliance.
OR&I currently seeks a senior level Director of Communications to lead the strategic communications efforts for this major administrative unit (MAU). This individual will develop, coordinate, and execute communication plans, initiatives, and strategies to support the research enterprise and elevate the research reputation of the University. The Director also advises members of the Leadership team on communications, and develops key messages, speeches and other materials that align with broader goals and initiatives.
The Director will lead the communications unit, a cross-functional team of communication professionals supporting strategic communication, events, and other initiatives related to the Office of Research and Innovation and its reporting units. The position reports to the Vice President for Research and Innovation and is a member of the leadership team.
This individual will represent and support the office by participating in strategic communication planning, aligning internal communication strategies to support goals and objectives of broad institutional initiatives, provide executive communication support, and represent the office in university-level meetings. Leadership, proactive decision-making, project management, and delegation are all skillsets that will be required for this position. The team this candidate will lead is trusted by all subunits of the office and across campus, brings added value to those they work with, and is focused on collaboration and proactive implementation to produce high-quality results for the units they serve.
Duties and Responsibilities
· Provides strategy, guidance, and execution for executive level communications for the Vice President and other Research and Innovation leadership team members
· Supports the Vice President and executive team with implementation of the unit and MSU strategic plans.
· Works with unit leaders and their teams to identify and understand goals and establish priorities to deliver successful communication solutions. Such content may include required compliance or training initiatives, promotion of events or services, or other announcements important to conducting research.
· Advances MSU’s central communications initiatives; coordinates and collaborates with University Communications and other central units.
· Develops, coordinates, and executes communications and marketing plans, initiatives, strategies, and activities to inform, educate, engage, and inspire action among MSU research faculty, staff, and students.
· Works with University Communications to cultivate communication opportunities for executive leadership and subject matter experts related to unit and university initiatives. · Collaborates with College communicators to curate research stories for amplification, and write research stories and announcements as needed for press releases, website content, etc.
· Directs execution of multi-channel communication plans including vendor and freelancer relationships, production management for communications and technical functions and coordination of asset placement.
· Oversees development and implementation of high-quality communication products including websites, annual reports, promotional emails, digital ads, social media content, podcasts, videos, and press releases, and various types of digital content for unit and university outlets (i.e., unit newsletters, MSUToday).
· Facilitates events that serve the overall goals for the MAU that could include conferences, convenings, research lectures, or training workshops, assists in all promotional activities, and supervises the event planning staff.
· Serves as a public information officer answering public requests and directing media inquiries to appropriate unit subject matter experts.
· Oversees team operations and team member productivity, building a highly inclusive culture that ensures team members thrive and organizational outcomes are met.
· Maintains awareness of university developments and standards, changes in dynamics, and other areas that that impact Research and Innovation and the units within it.
Impact on Programs/Services/Operations
Michigan State University faculty, staff, and students are involved in activities that, if publicized to constituents, can enhance the public image and build the reputation of the University. Implementation of a strategic communications plan regarding stories that enhance the image, reputation, and brand of the University is critical to accomplishing these goals.
Work Environment
Standard office environment. A hybrid schedule with some work from home and some on-site responsibilities is acceptable.
This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the work of employees under his or her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties no mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty
Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in English, professional writing, journalism, science or climate journalism, public relations, marketing, telecommunications or communications, business administration, or a related field; five to eight years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work, or in a field which corresponds to the particular department of employment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Master’s level education in strategic communications, business administration or similar. Higher education experience strongly preferred with an understanding of academic structure and governance, or a strong background in organizational or executive communications. Experience identifying audience needs, increasing engagement with internal stakeholders, and successfully implementing and measuring effectiveness of communications and marketing in a highly decentralized environment. Strong writing skills are a must.
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.
All applicants should apply with a resume, cover letter and three professional references. In addition, please attach three professional writing samples to your application.
STANDARD 8-5
research.msu.edu
MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.
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.
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