Communications Planning Coordinator

A cover letter, resume, and three writing samples are required for consideration for this position. In your cover letter, explain how your skills and experience make you a great fit for the position and how this role aligns with your career aspirations. Submit all materials, including writing samples, together in a single file. System limitations do not allow for more than one attachment.

The Communications Planning Coordinator will be an integral part of the Digital Strategy team within the Office of the Vice President for Communications (OVPC). This role supports content strategy efforts for the University of Michigan's portfolio of digital platforms. As a communications planning coordinator on the team, this position will develop plans that support institutional priorities and align with other content efforts for a coordinated communications strategy. Reporting to the Director of Content Strategy and Audience Development, this role will assist in a variety of communications planning work, digital strategy efforts, social media content creation, and report generation.

This position requires a range of skills, including the ability to develop robust communications plans, collaborate with numerous stakeholders, create multimedia content, write articles, update websites, monitor social media platforms, develop analytics reports, and manage cross-functional communications projects.

This position is expected to work on-site three or more days per week. Responsibilities may extend beyond traditional working hours due to the nature of the work.

Communications Planning

• Lead a communications strategy with cohesive messaging that reaches across the university's digital portfolio
• Provide communications project management support for high-impact initiatives
• Translate institutional priorities and initiatives into clear communications and storytelling outputs
• Manage cross-functional communications projects from concept through publication, including timelines and stakeholder coordination
• Assist in managing a communications content calendar for the digital strategy unit
• Using experience and insights, make recommendations to enhance the brand reputation while maintaining an authentic storytelling framework

Digital Strategy

• Develop data-driven approaches for growing social media audiences, garnering increased engagement, and encouraging link clicks
• Assist in the implementation of the university social media content strategy from conception through execution and measurement
• Provide assistance for OVPC-wide and university-wide email communications as needed
• Monitor performance analytics on website and social media platforms and produce reports to help inform strategy
• Provide support in preparing summaries and reports for senior leadership as needed, sometimes regarding sensitive information requiring discretion

Content Creation and Collaboration

• Create multimedia content that highlights the campus community in collaboration with U-M stakeholders across the university
• Identify, create and executive collaborative communications content efforts with U-M schools, colleges, units, student organizations and other stakeholders across the university
• Stay updated on social media trends and how they can be adapted for the brand
• Serve as a resource for social media leaders across the University of Michigan to maintain brand voice, accessibility standards and coordinated messaging for university-wide campaigns and initiatives

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional experience in communications, social media, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in writing and editing for digital audiences, and coordinating marketing content and campaigns across multiple channels.
• Demonstrated experience in managing social media platforms, including developing social media content plans, strategically posting to platforms, and generating metrics on the platforms.
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to prepare content for a variety of audiences and platforms.
• Proficiency with digital platforms, such as content management systems (e.g. WordPress), social media management tools (e.g. Sprout Social), email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Salesforce), and basic graphic design software (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite).
• Familiarity with web analytics, social media metrics, and media monitoring software, and the ability to draw insights from data to inform strategy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, social media, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Suite
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, relationship-building, and communication skills.

Candidates for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

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 these checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

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 at any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.