Marketing and Communications Manager

About the Job

The marketing and communications manager serves as a strategic consultant and lead marketer for CEHD departments/units, expected to include the School of Social Work and the Department of Family Social Science. This role focuses on driving enrollment and elevating the public profile of both units through high-impact storytelling and advocacy, being both strategic in planning and responsive in execution of prioritized needs. Reporting to the Unit Marketing Communications Supervisor and Donor and Alumni Relations Lead, the generalist translates academic excellence and research into compelling narratives for prospective students, media outlets, and government stakeholders. This position acts as a consultant to departmental staff while focusing on growth, reputation, and public relations, and deliverables may be expanded to advance collegiate and/or department strategies and priorities. Additionally, this position will support OCM initiatives across a variety of areas, such as contributing written articles to collegiate communications and supporting additional marketing efforts, and will have primary responsibility for supporting collegiate events across all units.

Location and Work environment: This is a hybrid, flexible position and requires in-person work on the UMN Twin Cities campus.

Work Schedule: Standard business hours, Monday through Friday

Please apply by April 26 for consideration.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Primary Responsibilities:

Academic program marketing and recruitment strategy (20%)

• Strategic enrollment growth: Work with the Unit Marketing Communications Supervisor - Donor and Alumni Relations, Digital Marketing Manager, Director of Graduate Education Initiatives, and others on the OCM team to oversee data-driven marketing plans for graduate, undergraduate, and certificate programs.
• Campaign oversight: Partner with colleagues in OCM, Graduate Education, Student Services, and University Admissions to develop strategies for academic program lead-generation campaigns, using Site Studio, Slate, Salesforce, and Marketing Cloud to automate the prospective student journey and increase application conversion.
• Market positioning: Analyze competitor landscapes and national trends in social work and family science–and potentially other areas in education and human development–to advise leadership on program differentiation and "Why Minnesota" messaging.

Public relations and legislative advocacy (20%)

• Legislative storytelling: Partner with college and University Government Relations teams to share the impact of departmental research and clinical work with state and federal legislators.
• Impact reporting: Contribute to and/or develop materials such as briefings, fact sheets, and impact reports that demonstrate the ROI of social work and family science education in addressing critical state and national issues.
• Media relations: Build relationships with faculty to identify research breakthroughs and timely social insights; proactively pitch experts to local, national, and trade media outlets.

Internal communications consulting (20%)

• Strategic advisory: Provide expert consultation to departmental leadership and administrative staff on internal communication best practices, ensuring a cohesive voice for newsletters and announcements.
• Brand governance: Act as the brand steward, working with the college’s Creative Director to provide templates and guidance to staff to ensure all internally-produced materials align with college and University standards.
• Self-service support: Develop tools and resources that empower departmental members to execute routine communications, allowing this role to remain focused on external-facing strategic goals.
• Departmental liaison: Serve as the trusted expert regarding collegiate goals/priorities that may impact or influence departmental deliverables. Represent department goals and needs to the central OCM team, identifying intended impacts of efforts and ensuring that leadership and personnel in responsible areas are kept informed and are aware of the status of needs and deliverables.

Digital strategy and reputation management (20%)

• High-impact digital content: Oversee the strategic direction of program websites and social media channels, focusing on content that drives recruitment and national prestige.
• Analytics and ROI: Measure and report on the effectiveness of recruitment campaigns and advocacy efforts, using data to inform future budget and strategy decisions.

Support key initiatives and lead staff of the OCM (20%)

• Events support - college-wide: Provide support to the Events Manager and Marketing Communications Strategist regarding college-wide events, to include but not limited to commencements, assemblies, homecoming, and others. Tasks could include liaising with external vendors, contracting, staffing registration tables, social media posting, and others.
• Events support - other: Provide task support for donor events and potentially some departmental or unit events as identified by the OCM leadership.
• Creative, marketing, and writing support: Provide back-up support for other areas of the OCM to advance creative, marketing, and/or written stories for publication.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• BA/BS degree in marketing, public relations, communications, or a related field plus at least four years of related experience.
• Proficiency in digital marketing platforms (e.g., Drupal or other content management systems, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Google Analytics).
• Strong consulting and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with faculty and subject matter experts.

Preferred qualifications:

• Proven experience in academic program marketing or enrollment management.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex research into persuasive content for the public or government stakeholders.
• Experience in media relations or government relations, including a track record of successful media pitches or advocacy materials.
• Experience working in a "consultant" capacity within a large, decentralized institution like the University of Minnesota.
• Familiarity with the research themes and professional landscapes of social work and family science.
• Understanding of the graduate student lifecycle and the unique needs of diverse student populations.

About the Department

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the University's third largest college, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of life. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. That’s why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice.

About the Department of Family Social Science
The Department of Family Social Science (FSoS) prepares students to use research to discover and apply knowledge, build interpersonal communication skills, and develop personally and professionally.
Considered one of the premier family departments in the United States and globally, the department’s history reaches back to the very first classes taught at the University of Minnesota in 1884.

About the School of Social Work
The School of Social Work was established at the University of Minnesota in 1917, the first graduate social work program among the land-grant universities in the United States. Located in a state known historically for its progressive innovations in human services and social reform, it has always emphasized social service and social justice in shaping its teaching, community service, and research goals.

Pay and Benefits



Pay Range: $70,000 - $85,000 ; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.

Required: Resume and Cover Letter

Please apply by April 26 for consideration.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).