Director of Strategic Communications & Outreach

The Director of Strategic Communications & Outreach is responsible for working collaboratively with the Consortium Chair and team, as well as other University colleagues, to create and manage strategic communications for this center of national prominence. This position leads and executes Consortium communications, including promotion of the Consortium's grants and research, publications, events, and activities. Key responsibilities include developing and executing an annual communications plan, promoting the Consortium's brand and reputation, developing the Consortium's website and electronic communications, managing them to make sure they are vibrant and successful, and advancing the University's mission. The Director of Strategic Communications & Outreach is expected to work collaboratively and proactively to accomplish these tasks and is responsible for developing working relationships with central University communications offices and all Consortium member centers.

Responsibilities include:
Communications, Marketing & Content Strategy (45%)
* Develop and execute an integrated and effective content management strategy. This includes disseminating news items, articles, videos, and other resources across platforms including the web, social media, University-wide internal communications, and earned media.
* Lead ongoing evolution and function of the Consortium website and related websites, including working with University IT and specialists as needed to ensure excellence in design, content, and function. Maintain all pages on the Consortium website, interacting with Consortium staff, faculty, and member centers as needed.
* Develop and execute a strong social media communications strategy to further the Consortium's reach and engagement. Platforms include X/Twitter, Bluesky, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
* Advance the Consortium's impact and standing by disseminating its work to core audiences, such as national grant funders, policymakers, industry professionals, faculty, students, researchers, and the public.
* Develop and use a national network of media contacts to garner local and national media/press attention for Consortium research and events. Draft and pitch press releases and other forms of communication in coordination with other communication professionals across the University and University Relations.
* Create and coordinate print and electronic communications, including the Consortium's electronic newsletter. Research, write, and edit content, consulting with Consortium staff, faculty, and member centers as needed.
* Handle complex interpersonal communications with faculty, students, administrators, and community members. Supervise student workers as needed.

Event Communications & Outreach (40%)
* Develop multiple communications vehicles to raise awareness of and drive strong synchronous attendance to Consortium events and asynchronous viewing of event videos.
* Manage email marketing to drive event attendance and awareness of Consortium programs and activities. This includes identifying and implementing appropriate e-marketing tools; designing or supervising design of templates within the Consortium brand; managing electronic mailing lists to make sure emails reach and engage appropriate audiences; adhering to University policies, CAN-SPAM, and best practices; and leveraging event content with post-event promotion.
* Identify and supervise consultants and vendors for services such as graphic design, webcasting, and video production to ensure a high-quality audience experience. Oversee video production by contractors, manage Consortium image and photo files, and collaborate as needed to create PowerPoint and other presentations.
* Prepare for events by collaborating with Consortium staff and AV professionals, using the Consortium's project management system as needed. Prepare Consortium event slides, make sure speaker slides are loaded and functional, and help anchor events by coordinating between speakers and the AV team.

Planning & Evaluation (10%)
* Establish strategic annual communications plans, work goals, and timelines for all communications projects, under the direction of the Consortium leadership. Advise Consortium leadership on the best ways to reach communication goals.
* Regularly evaluate communications impact and success. Collect and report metrics to assess the effectiveness of communication strategies and make adjustments to optimize impact.
* Provide expert input on the communications budget to the Consortium leadership.

Special Projects/Other duties (5%)
* Assist Consortium leadership with writing and editing projects and presentation as needed.
* May participate in funded research, bringing communications expertise.
* Assist with Consortium events as requested.
* Other duties as assigned.

Required:
* Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field.
* Four years of professional communications experience with progressive responsibility.
* Proven experience in strategic communications, media relations, publications management, and digital development, including tracking metrics and user behavior.
* Proven track record in brand development and execution, increasing an organization's public profile and positioning.
* Proven track record in website development and execution, increasing an organization's public profile. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred:
* Master's degree relating to communications, science, or medicine.
* Demonstrated experience with content management systems for editing website content.
* Demonstrated experience in writing for a range of professional and lay audiences on science or medicine.
* Proven experience in publications (print and electronic) management and production.
* Experience working in an academic environment.

This 100% time position manages communications and public relations at the University of Minnesota's groundbreaking Consortium on Law and Values in Health, Environment & the Life Sciences (http://consortium.umn.edu). The Consortium is a University-wide center founded in 2000. This interdisciplinary unit links 22 centers and programs across the University, crossing most colleges and reporting to the VP for Research in the University's Research & Innovation Office (RIO). The Consortium focuses on the ethical, legal, and societal implications of biomedicine and the life sciences, with a long history of success in applying for grants from NIH, NSF, and private foundations to conduct cross-disciplinary research with University and national partners. The position is located in Johnston Hall on the East Bank campus, with an opportunity for remote work as negotiated.

Pay Range: $73,000-80,000 depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 75%-100% Appointment (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.)

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Submit the following:
* Cover letter
* Resume/CV
* Contact information for 3 references
* 3 writing samples that demonstrate communication strategy and execution (such as a communications plan, published articles, and social media posts), and the URLs of websites for which the applicant has had major responsibility.

Finalists for this position will be asked to complete an on-site writing assessment. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. The position will remain posted until filled.

Questions regarding this position may be directed to the Consortium's Senior Administrative Director Dori Henderson at hend0054@umn.edu.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).