Overview

 

OVERVIEW

The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy is looking for a Marketing and Communications Director to lead our newly restructured Marketing and Communications Office. The department is responsible for advancing the Ford School’s visibility and reputation with prospective students, alumni, donors, academic and policy communities, and other audiences. You will work closely with the Ford School’s Office of Public Affairs to help advance the Ford School’s reputation and standing across stakeholders. You will report directly to the Dean and serve as a member of the school’s senior staff leadership team.

The Ford School is one of the nation's foremost policy schools, housed at one of the world's great public universities. We inspire and prepare diverse leaders grounded in service, conduct transformational research, and collaborate on evidence-based policymaking to take on our communities' and our world's most pressing challenges. Our dedication to the public good is grounded in our core values and inseparable from our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including efforts aimed at addressing key policy issues relevant to racial justice and antiracism. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds who will contribute to the diversity of our school. To learn more about the Ford School, read about us.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Planning and Execution

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive, integrated, data-driven marketing and communications plan for the Ford School including strategic goals that align with the School’s priorities
  • Stay informed of trends and best practices, evaluating marketing and communications needs against stated objectives and strive for continuous improvement
  • Develop and execute a plan to increase and maintain the School’s and the Dean’s visibility on campus, regionally, nationally, and internationally

Marketing and Communications

  • Work with leadership, the student services and development teams, and others to develop and implement data-driven strategies aimed at student recruitment and increasing enrollment; donor and alumni engagement; and enhancing the profile of the faculty
  • Serve as the school's brand manager
  • Oversee graphic design, multimedia design, videography, the School’s website, user experience design, and the management of vendors and partners
  • Lead the production of a wide range of publications, including our State & Hill magazine, newsletters, and videos
  • Provide marketing support to several core units within the school, including research centers, DEI office, student recruiting, online courses, course enrollment, development, public events, and community-building
  • Drive and maintain a cohesive social media strategy by providing guidelines for storytelling, developing dynamic content, increasing engagement, and reaching bigger audiences on various platforms
  • Work with the U-M communications office to amplify Ford School stories for broad communication and increase the visibility of our faculty and research centers and initiatives
  • Foster a collaborative approach as the team works closely with staff across the School to help support event staffing needs

Leadership

  • Serve as a member of the school’s leadership team and collaborate with peers and others  to advance the School’s strategic goals and objectives
  • Provide strategic leadership, direction and oversight of the Ford School’s Marketing and Communications Office, including developing and implementing the School’s strategy in this area and the professional development and skills growth of its staff
  • Promote an environment of productive and collegial collaboration between Marketing and Communications team members and Ford School stakeholders
  • Lead, motivate, supervise, and evaluate a team of talented communications professionals while fostering a positive work culture
  • Partner with HR on staff recruitment, development, and performance management

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Master’s degree in communications, marketing, advertising, journalism, public relations, or equivalent
  • 5+ years of experience leading a communications team
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills with a wide range of audiences
  • Demonstrated experience working with production professionals, including designers, photographers, and printers
  • Strong project management skills
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
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