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.
Summary
In this role, you will be responsible for the development and execution of a wide range of editorial projects for external and internal audiences. You will write social media and advertising copy, profiles of individuals, news items, long-form stories, internal and external newsletters, and more.
You’ll work on-site with a tight-knit team with a journalistic background. We like each other, and we try to make the workplace fun. Surprise us! We’re open to new ideas. We welcome people from different working backgrounds and interests.
For more information about UMSI, please visit our website .
What You’ll Do
The work you will do is often independent, frequently collaborative, and always brand-focused. Reporting to our Associate Director of Marketing and Communications, you will perform responsibilities such as:
- Solicit, select and write material, including news articles, feature stories, newsletters, and social media content for internal and external audiences, to support the organization’s goals;
- Write compelling stories that demonstrate the impact of faculty, student, staff, alumni, and donor research, scholarship, and other work;
- Gather information by means of interviews, database research, etc. for effective presentation in publications, websites, and other media;
- Write marketing content for student recruitment and recurring school publications.
- Write copy for social media posts, emails, and paid digital media. Edit external and internal marketing and communications content;
- Maintain a social media presence on major platforms to promote research, attract students and support the organization’s goals;
- Generate news items, stories, and other written content ideas from discussions and interviews with faculty, staff, alumni and students;
- Pitch and submit stories to the University Record and other campus communication vehicles;
- Post profiles and news stories to the school website, in collaboration with the school’s web content administrator;
- Update evergreen content on the school’s website as needed;
- Work in partnership with the Engaged Learning Office, Career Development Office, Development and Alumni Relations Office and the Office of Academic and Student Affairs on marketing and editorial initiatives;
- In partnership with the marketing and communications team’s visual experts, collaborate on photos, videos, slides, illustrations and other visual assets;
- Support the mission and goals of the school and the strategic priorities of the Dean;
- Serve on school, university or professional organization committees/boards;
- Invest in individual commitments to support diversity, equity and inclusion;
- Participate in a variety of professional development activities.
Who We Are
The School of Information (UMSI) is a progressive, interdisciplinary professional school offering a Bachelor of Science in Information, a Master of Science in Information, a Master of Health Informatics, Master of Applied Data Science and a Ph.D. Our mission is to create and share knowledge so that people will use information – with technology – to build a better world.
Why Work at Michigan?
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, the University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
- Generous time off (Vacation, Holidays, Season Days, Family Leave)
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions after 12 months of eligible service
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
- Dental and vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
- Tuition support program
Skills You Have
- Outstanding communication skills; excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills, especially ability to synthesize and communicate information clearly and accurately;
- Excellent news judgment and analytical skills; in particular, the ability to initiate and identify high-potential storytelling opportunities and to prioritize those projects.
- Ability to easily change writing styles to fit the audience, distribution channel, and voice of the piece;
- Ability to gather, evaluate, interpret, and present complex information effectively in professionally prepared documents or presentations;
- Ability to utilize stories and testimonies to create inspiring communications;
- Ability to manage several projects simultaneously, and be able to prioritize and plan work activities while meeting respective deadlines;
- A demonstrated attention to detail in order to achieve a high degree of accuracy;
- Excellent organizational skills and initiative to organize and follow through with complex tasks to meet deadlines;
- Positive attitude, proven ability to work successfully individually and as part of a team, and with diverse populations;demonstrated commitment to promote and enhance diversity and inclusion;
- A commitment to innovation and creativity;
- An ability to learn quickly and easily adapt to changing situations;
- Proficiency with Google suite of tools, especially Docs, Sheets and Slides.
Required Qualifications*
A bachelor’s degree and three or more years of professional experience in journalism, communications, public relations, development, and/or creative writing, preferably in higher education; or the equivalent combination of experience, training, and education.
Work Schedule
Punctual, regular, and consistent attendance is required. May occasionally require work during non-business hours and on weekends.
Work Locations
This role will have space in a shared building on the Ann Arbor campus, with some potential for flexible remote work in accordance with UMSI Remote Work Policy and with supervisor approval. Remote work agreements are reviewed annually and are subject to change depending upon business needs. Will require travel to locations on and (occasionally) off campus.
Additional Information
This position may work with and/or support systems that maintain or process sensitive institutional data as defined by university policy. Successful candidates must comply with federal, state, and local law, and/or university policies or agreements that require the university to implement specific privacy and security safeguards, including but not limited to ITAR, EAR, HIPAA, FERPA, and FISMA. This position is responsible for protecting data and information from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion; and following applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files and release of data internally or externally to the University of Michigan.
NOTE: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
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 anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
Job Detail
Job Opening ID
233594
Working Title
Marketing and Communications Writer
Job Title
Writer
Work Location
Ann Arbor Campus
Ann Arbor, MI
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
FLSA Status
Exempt
Organizational Group
School Information
Department
School of Information
Posting Begin/End Date
4/25/2023 – 5/09/2023
Salary
$52,000.00 – $60,000.00
Career Interest
Communications & Marketing