Strategic Communications Manager / Communications Manager II

Job Description:

Working/Functional Title

Strategic Communications Manager

Position Summary

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications & Planning (25%)

• Develop and implement comprehensive communications and marketing strategies aligned with Undergraduate Education priorities and MSU strategic goals.
• Serve as a strategic communications advisor to the Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education and Undergraduate Education leadership.
• Collaborate with communication leaders in the Office of the Provost, Student Affairs, and Residential & Hospitality Services to provide coordinated communication to students and their supporters.
• Develop messaging and communication plans that support student success initiatives, institutional priorities, and organizational change efforts.
• Coordinate communication planning across Undergraduate Education units to ensure alignment, consistency, and strategic integration.
• Utilize data, analytics, and audience feedback to assess communication effectiveness and guide continuous improvement.

Executive Communications & Storytelling (20%)

• Draft and edit executive communications including speeches, presentations, talking points, reports, newsletters, scripts, and campus messages.
• Lead storytelling efforts that highlight undergraduate student success, academic innovation, inclusive excellence, and institutional impact.
• Collaborate with campus partners to identify and promote compelling stories, initiatives, and outcomes related to undergraduate education.
• Ensure messaging reflects MSU’s commitment to student success, belonging, access, and institutional excellence.

Internal Communications & Engagement (20%)

• Lead internal communications efforts for Undergraduate Education, including newsletters, announcements, leadership messaging, and engagement strategies.
• Support communication planning and coordination for meetings, events, workshops, and strategic initiatives.
• Foster communication practices that promote transparency, collaboration, and engagement among Undergraduate Education staff and campus partners.
• Collaborate with units across campus to support communication related to undergraduate student success initiatives and programs.

Digital Communications & Marketing (20%)

• Oversee and manage Undergraduate Education digital communications channels, including websites, social media platforms, email communications, and related digital content.
• Coordinate website content strategy and maintenance using university-approved content management systems.
• Develop and edit content for digital, print, and multimedia communications.
• Collaborate with the Office of the Provost communications team and UCAM to ensure alignment with institutional brand standards and communication priorities.
• Monitor communication trends, social engagement, and emerging technologies to inform communication strategies and audience engagement.
• Provide creative direction and oversight for visual communications, ensuring digital and print materials align with university brand standards and effectively engage target audiences.
• Supervise and mentor student employees, including graphic designers, social media managers, and other student staff when funding and staffing resources are available.
• Collaborate with campus partners and student staff to produce compelling graphics, videos, photography, and promotional materials for multiple communication platforms.

Collaboration, Issues Management & Special Projects (15%)

• Coordinate communication support for sensitive issues, emerging concerns, and high-profile initiatives in collaboration with university leadership and communications partners.
• Represent Undergraduate Education in campus communications meetings, events, and collaborative initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders.
• Support special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned by the Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education.
• Develop processes, workflows, and training materials to support student content creators and communications ambassadors when such positions are available.

Working Conditions

The Office of Undergraduate Education generally operates as an in-person, professional office environment with standard business hours. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to support events or university initiatives. The position may be eligible for a flexible work arrangement consistent with university policy and operational needs.

Minimum Requirements

• Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, English, or a related field.
• Three to five years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, marketing, public relations, or strategic communications
• Demonstrated excellence in writing, editing, and verbal communication skills
• Experience developing and implementing integrated communication strategies across multiple channels and audiences
• Experience with website content management systems, digital communications, and social media strategy
• Strong project management, organizational, and interpersonal skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Experience managing social media content creation and coordinating visual communications across digital platforms
• Experience creating accessible communications for diverse audiences, demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across complex organizations and diverse stakeholder groups
• Proficiency with standard communications, graphic design, content creation tools, and marketing technologies
• Familiarity with communications analytics, audience engagement strategies, and digital marketing best practices
• Knowledge of AP style and editorial best practices

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree in communications, higher education administration, public relations, or related field preferred
• Experience working in higher education, student success, academic affairs, or a similarly complex organizational environment
• Experience supporting executive communications, crisis messaging, and leadership messaging
• Experience providing creative direction for graphic design, visual branding, and multimedia communications projects
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or directing the work of student employees such as communications interns, graphic designers, social media managers, photographers, or videographers
• Experience developing and managing student-led content creation teams and social media ambassador programs
• Experience with change management communications and organizational communications strategy
• Experience creating accessible communications for diverse audiences, including faculty, staff, alumni, students, donors, and external stakeholders
• Knowledge of accessibility standards in communication practices

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

• Cover Letter
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Three Professional References
• A portfolio or link to examples of your work may be requested during first-round interviews

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Website

https://undergrad.msu.edu/

Bidding eligibility ends June 23, 2026 at 11:55 P.M.