The Division of Marketing & Communications (MarComm) speaks with a unified, authentic and resonant voice to strategically advance the University of Denver’s brand with four goals in mind:
1. To promote and protect DUs reputation
2. To inspire students to enroll and engage
3. To increase inclusion
4. To strengthen the University
MarComm aims to strengthen DUs strategic position locally, regionally and nationally through data-driven and authentic storytelling across multiple channels with focused support on the university’s value drivers: academics and research; enrollment and admissions, athletics and advancement. Whether through public or media relations, digital strategies, social media, print, podcast, issues or crisis management, community relations or thought leadership and training, MarComm drives results through narratives that involve words, pictures and design. With true understanding of and connection with our diverse audiences, we aim to foster collaborative problem solving, creativity and innovation.
Position Summary
The Communications Manager (CM) manages the development of key internal communications and tools. The CM will work with partners from within the division and across the institution to advance the institution’s brand reputation through the successful execution of purposeful campaigns, projects, creative work and messaging to showcase the university’s brand and strategic initiatives. The CM supports the division in a variety of ways, including implementation of communications for assigned campus partners and leadership-identified strategic priorities, MarComm-owned internal newsletters, internally focused communications, toolkit development, campaign execution and communications evaluations. The CM leads and maintains the development and distribution of a variety of communications materials in electronic and print format, including web content, brochures, fact sheets and posters, scripts and talking points, articles, emails, and environmental displays; writes and edits content; coordinates the work of designers, videographers, photographers, writers and select vendors as needed.
As a member of the university’s communications team, this collaborative position interfaces with the division’s marketing, strategic positioning, creative, operations/finance and media relations teams, as well as the university’s agencies and internal partners to ensure the successful delivery of a heavy schedule of short- and long-term projects. Under the direction of the Director of Communications and in collaboration with the division’s leadership team, the CM manages the successful execution of communications projects, campaigns and initiatives and tracks progress to ensure delivery that is on message, on time and on budget according to established targets. The CM will collaborate with colleagues across the division to evaluate the effectiveness of DU’s internal communications efforts to advise leadership on adjustments to strategy and implementation. Additionally, the CM will provide consultation for campus partners and collaborate with the Directors to refine processes, manage projects/timelines, and ensure excellent customer service to campus stakeholders.
Essential Functions
- Manages the successful execution of internal communications plans, MarComm-supported signature events and strategic initiatives, and select communications initiatives.
- Develops content and manages creative execution to provide a consistent, targeted, and impactful message; writes messages, stories, and other materials as needed to effectively advance key strategic initiatives to stakeholder audiences.
- Implements internal communications strategy by coordinating corresponding processes and managing the calendar of internal communications.
- Builds and maintains solid partnerships with assigned internal campus partners to better coordinate and facilitate strategic communications designed to meet DU goals and ensure consistency of brand voice, tone and strategic positioning.
- Designs communications plans and campaigns to target internal audiences, placing an emphasis and discipline on campaign performance to help with recommendations for future programs.
- Coordinates in-house and external graphic designers, photographers, videographers and other media-production specialists integral to the completion of managed initiatives and projects.
- Contributes ideas for new communications programs, researching and recommending innovative branding techniques.
- Identifies and presents opportunities for consistency in messaging and customer experience across channels from in-store signage to digital to print.
- Develops an understanding of and actively supports short- and long-term department goals and planned initiatives.
- Adjusts and communicates plan changes as necessary to ensure costs for materials, media, and labor are in line with anticipated outcomes.
- Stays informed of developments in the field of marketing and communications within the higher education industry to foster ideas and innovation.
- Builds and maintains messaging toolkits and plans for strategic projects, to ensure consistency with campus partners and communicators.
- Monitors effectiveness of managed initiatives in partnership with unit’s Marketing Analytics Specialist and provides recommendations for future improvement in communication campaigns and process.
- Directly manages and coordinates the distribution of MarComm-owned internal newsletters and select strategic communications for the chancellor’s office and other strategic units through email platforms, CMS and forthcoming CRM.
- Supports leadership team on crisis communication efforts as needed.
- Shares expertise and findings with peers based on observation, analytics and survey results.
- Leads and/or collaborates on special projects/initiatives as assigned.
- Identifies, writes and edits compelling stories and copy to showcase DU’s unique value propositions, students, faculty, staff and alumni. Customizes messages and stories to specific audiences to amplify DU brand values.
- Attends meetings and works on campus committees as assigned.
- Performs limited other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong, versatile copywriting skills.
- Good organizational, planning and coordination skills.
- Ability to multi-task and re-prioritize as needed.
- Ability to independently manage assigned projects/initiatives while keeping leadership apprised of progress and status changes.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Ability to identify key audiences and tailor content for maximum engagement.
- Possesses a sense of urgency; is self-motivated and detail minded.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build collaborative relationships.
- Good verbal presentation, group dynamic, and facilitation skills.
- Proactive and collaborative approach in resolving problems and issues.
- Proven project management skills with experience balancing multiple priorities, deadlines and budget allocations.
- Demonstrated ability to lead matrixed teams to complete projects or campaigns on time and on budget.
- Proven ability to process and prioritize heavy workload and work efficiently.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word/Pages, PowerPoint/Keynote, Adobe Acrobat, Photoshop (or other photo editing program) and social media platforms.
- Established record of collaboration and good interpersonal and communication skills with diverse internal and external constituents.
- Working knowledge of how to compile reports, build charts and graphs, and display content in compelling ways.
- Excellent attention-to-detail skills.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelors degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience (Veterans with equivalent combination of military certification/education and experience may substitute for the degree qualification).
- 5 years of experience executing communications or brand marketing initiatives across multiple channels, including digital and print, to achieve unit goals.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous supervisory experience.
- Project management certification.
- Track record of demonstrating initiative in identifying innovative techniques for navigating the modern communications landscape and a willingness to learn new techniques in real time.
- Demonstrable understanding of the higher education market.
- Experience using content management systems and other distribution tools, including web, email, and customer relationship management/automation systems.
- Familiarity with crisis communications techniques and strategies.
- Familiarity with advancement and fundraising practices as well as corresponding communications strategies.
Working Environment
1. Standard office environment.
2. Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
3. Noise level is quiet to moderate.
Physical Activities
1. Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time.
2. Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.
Work Schedule
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Application Deadline
For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) September 7, 2023.
Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.
Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 12.
Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $85,000 – $95,000.
The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.
Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver .
Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age (40 years and over in the employment context), religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, veterans status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the university’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended in 2008; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For the university’s complete Non-Discrimination Statement, please see non-discrimination-statement .
All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.
Advertised: August 23, 2023
Applications close: