University of Michigan

The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy’s Communications and Outreach team is dedicated to enhancing the School’s visibility and reputation with various audiences, including prospective students, alumni, donors, academic and policy communities.

Job Title: Marketing and Communications Specialist

Job Description:

We are looking for a creative and collaborative Marketing and Communications Specialist with strong design and social media skills to join our team.

In this role, you will be responsible for designing and producing creative communication materials for the Ford School. This includes print and digital brochures, videos, posters, ad campaigns, web content, social graphics, brand elements, and other collateral. You will also play a key role in the school’s social media strategies, both earned and paid.

You will report to the Director of Communications & Outreach and work closely with a talented team of social and design professionals led by the Assistant Director for Digital Strategies.

About the Ford School: The Ford School is one of the nation’s top policy schools, situated within a world-class public university.

We empower and prepare diverse leaders, conduct transformative research, and collaborate on evidence-based policymaking to address the most critical challenges in our communities and the world.

Our commitment to the public good is deeply rooted in our core values and closely linked to our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds who will contribute to the diversity of our school. To learn more about the Ford School, please read About Us.

Why Work at Michigan:

Benefits: In addition to a rewarding career, the University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to support your well-being, protect your health and that of your family, and help you plan for a secure future. These benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan with two-for-one matching contributions and immediate vesting
• A variety of comprehensive health insurance options
• Life insurance coverage
• Long-term disability protection
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Paid parental leave

Responsibilities:

Design (50%):

• Use and expand the boundaries of the Ford School’s strong brand identity to visually convey our stories.
• Design a wide range of print and digital materials for Ford School programs, research centers, and initiatives. This includes brochures, one-pagers, banners, posters, briefs, ads, infographics, and more.
• Manage multiple projects from various stakeholders, ensuring clear communication regarding timelines and expectations.
• Provide logo, template, design, and photography guidance and support to multiple customers within the school.

Social Media (50%):

• Create engaging content for our active social media channels, collaborating with colleagues and student employees.
• Design custom creative content for events, news, and initiatives on social media throughout the year.
• Develop designs, copy, and target audiences for paid campaigns; adapt campaigns based on current trends and historical data; and report on campaign performance.
• Monitor social media conversations, analyze data, and produce reports.
• Curate videos for website, emails, and social media, managing design file backups and audio/video licensing.
• Utilize video analytics (views, engagement, drop-off) to inform new projects.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Fine Arts, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 1 year of professional experience in graphic design.
• At least 1 year of experience in social media management.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and other design software and technologies, including After Effects.
• Experience with Google Ads, Meta (Facebook & Instagram), LinkedIn, Twitter, and tracking performance in Google Analytics.
• Strong writing skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to plan, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
• Strong teamwork skills.

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