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 this position. In addition, please include contact information for three individuals who can serve as references.
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.
Job Summary
The Inclusive History Project (IHP) is seeking a creative and experienced Communications Lead to join our team and spearhead and expand communications to share our work with the university and audiences beyond it, with a desired start date in November 2026.
The IHP is a multi-year presidential initiative documenting and sharing a comprehensive history of the University of Michigan that stretches across its three campuses and Michigan Medicine. The IHP is working to engage the entire university and neighboring communities to better understand the institution's full history, including its record of inclusion and exclusion, and to consider what actions this history demands in the present.
Reporting to the IHP Managing Director, the communications lead will develop and implement an internal and external communications and outreach strategy for the IHP and manage a variety of print and digital communications. The successful candidate will be a skilled storyteller and strategist with the ability to craft written and graphic content that engages audiences in the IHP's mission to research, engage, and repair as we work to better understand the full history of the University of Michigan. They will also be passionate about the IHP's mission, eager to collaborate, detail-oriented, able to manage multiple projects at once, and interested in continually growing as a storyteller, strategist, and communicator.
The lead will play a key role in raising awareness of and interest in the IHP and showcasing the project's impact to campus, local, and national audiences. To do so, they will collaborate with campus communicators on each of U-M's campuses while working to develop and maintain connections with external outlets.
This is a term-limited position with the term ending June 30, 2027, and the possibility of an extension.
Work will be hybrid, with regular in-person work on the Ann Arbor campus and occasional travel to the Dearborn and Flint campuses required.
Responsibilities*
Strategic planning (30%)
- Work with the IHP team to create and implement a strategic communications plan
- Serve as a key player in developing the IHP's voice and evaluating the nature and number of communications generated by the IHP
- Work in collaboration with the IHP team to identify meaningful content and new opportunities for storytelling from IHP affiliates, including researchers, students, grantees, and more
- Research and identify local, regional, and national opportunities for sharing news about the IHP
- Help to advise on the development of IHP research deliverables for public audiences across a variety of formats
- Lead the tracking and measurement of the effectiveness of IHP communications
- Develop and maintain an IHP style guide
Written communications (30%)
- Plan, research, write, and substantive communications materials about the IHP, including press releases and materials for a range of university publications
- Help to create and coordinate the content and design of IHP promotional materials, including printed guides, brochures, posters, etc.
- Spearhead IHP annual reports in collaboration with the IHP Managing Director
- Help to oversee various print publications that share the IHP's historical research, providing project management and guidance for edited collections, exhibition catalogs, etc.
- Ensure editorial quality and adherence to style guides by editing and proofreading text for publications, articles, press releases, and other printed materials
Digital media (40%)
- Oversee the maintenance of and regular updates to the IHP website and other communications platforms
- Develop feature stories about a range of IHP activities for sharing through campus news outlets and the IHP website
- Develop campaigns for IHP event promotion in collaboration with the IHP Manager of Engagement
- Contribute to the ongoing development of IHP e-newsletters and other IHP email communications
- Help to build and maintain a social media presence for the IHP
- Work with videography, photography, and digital media experts to expand modes of communication from the IHP
- Ensure editorial quality and adherence to style guides by editing and proofreading text for all digital communications
Required Qualifications*
- A Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or relevant field or equivalent work/educational experience
- 3 or more years of relevant communications experience that includes demonstrated storytelling experience, public relations, and/or marketing
- Ability to analyze and translate humanities scholarship and/or historical research into accessible content for multiple audiences
- Demonstrated success collaborating with teams and the ability to manage and prioritize numerous projects in a fast-paced environment
- Experience developing and maintaining branding, websites, and online presence
- Knowledge and understanding of social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, etc.
Desired Qualifications*
- Experience in graphic design
- Proficiency with MailChimp and WordPress
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
The salary range for the senior-level position is $55,000 to $67,000.
Please note a higher salary may be offered based on the selected candidate's experience.
This is a term-limited position through June 30, 2027 with the possibility of an extension.
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 LSAs Mission, Vision and Values, please visit https://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 any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
