Position Overview
Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) and the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI), units within the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities are seeking a highly motivated, focused, and results-oriented communications specialist. This position will work primarily with, and in support of, the OLPD/CAREI Communications and Marketing Manager to create written, visual, and web-based communications.

The communications support specialist supports the communications and marketing manager with the execution of key communication strategies to ensure effective and timely implementation, targeting, and “on-message” content and tone. Specific job focus includes supporting OLPD and CAREI with implementation of strategic internal and external communications needs. This position utilizes Customer Response Management software/technology to facilitate the sending of all outbound recruitment emails, and ensures that communications are error-free and meet the brand and customer service standards set by the CEHD, OLPD, and CAREI. Communications must be strategic, on-message, on-time, error and issue free, and targeted to the correct audiences. This position is an excellent opportunity for professional development, as the employee will receive 1:1 mentoring and training from the communications and marketing manager with opportunities to expand their skillset within the scope of the position in conjunction with their interests.

The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. Flexible work arrangements may include flexibility in schedule and/or work location. The role may work a hybrid schedule (on campus and remote), although some days may require an on campus presence depending on the work needs. Please note that 100% remote work requires approval. All UMN employees are expected to follow applicable public health and safety procedures.

Job Responsibilities
Writing / Editing Support (40%)

• Write and edit short (500 words or less) news articles and feature stories to promote the work and accomplishments of OLPD and CAREI faculty, students, alumni, and staff.
• Write and edit content for internal and external newsletters.
• Use message templates to respond to email queries from prospective students in OLPD and prospective clients / collaborators in CAREI in a timely, professional, and personal manner.
• Provide copyediting, proofreading, fact checking, and quality assurance upon request to ensure that communications are error-free and meet the brand and customer service standards set by CEHD, CAREI and OLPD.

Mass email support (25%)

• Format newsletters and announcement email messages in Salesforce Marketing Cloud in accordance with OLPD and CAREI editorial calendars.
• Distribute mass messages sent out to various unit listservs and audiences.

Website maintenance (15%)

• Update web content upon request on OLPD and CAREI-affiliated public websites and intranet websites.

Graphic design support (10%)

• Develop promotional / recruitment materials in Adobe Creative Cloud software for course announcements, dissertation defenses, events, and research initiatives that utilize CEHD / UMN branding and templates.

Social Media (5%)

• Develop content and post to OLPD and CAREI social media channels under the direction of the Communications and Marketing Manager.

Event support (5%)

• Provide occasional direct support for online and in-person events, and implement event communication plans developed by others to drive successful recruitment and enrollment.

Required

• BA/BS or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least four years.
• High levels of skill and comfort writing for a variety of audiences and channels in a clear, concise, and engaging manner.
• Excellent organizational and coordination abilities.
• A learning-first mindset: interest in developing technical skills and content knowledge.
• Demonstrated commitment to advocating for an inclusive environment for all backgrounds and identities.

Preferred

• Demonstrated commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in practice.
• Experience with an email marketing platform and/or customer relationship management (CRM) technology (MailChimp, Salesforce, Constant Contact, etc.).
• Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud software.
• Experience with website content management systems (Google Sites, Wordpress, Drupal) and/or HTML.
• Experience with social media.
• Related employment experience in higher education or an organization with a complex structure.
• Demonstrated familiarity with the University of Minnesota and/or the College of Education and Human Development and its programs.

About University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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