Associate Director of Communications
Content + Source + Freshness • 15 Dec 2025 • 95% confidence
Offer value
Valuable role at a prestigious institution with emphasis on communication strategy but with broad responsibilities that may require extensive experience.
- Competitive salary range for highly experienced candidates
- Stability and prestige of working at a major university
- Potential for professional growth in a collegiate environment
Pros
- Satisfactory salary range ($115,000 - $120,000) for experienced candidates
- Working for a prestigious university ensures a stable job environment
- Engagement with diverse teams and collaboration opportunities
Cons
- Need for a significant level of experience (8+ years)
- Broad range of responsibilities may be overwhelming for some candidates
- Requires familiarity with multiple communication platforms
Who it's for
Senior / Lead • Flexible with some on-site requirements
Good fit
- Experienced marketing professionals
- Team leaders in communications
- Individuals passionate about higher education
Not recommended for
- Entry-level candidates or those with minimal experience
- Individuals uncomfortable in a university setting
- Candidates seeking specialized marketing roles without leadership
Motivation fit
Key skills
About the job
A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience. In the cover letter, in two pages or less, please let us know how this role aligns with your career aspirations and skill set. Submit both a cover letter and resume as one file (because of system limitations).
Editorial Leadership and Content Strategy
- Define and champion the communications, marketing communications content, and story-telling strategy for CAI and brands including Michigan Online and Online Teaching.
- Develop and manage monthly content plan and editorial calendar in coordination with supervised employees, M&MS leadership, and domain leadership.
- Establish and maintain editorial voice and tone guides for center brands.
- Oversee social media strategy and execution.
- Create external executive communications and other content as required.
- Lead media relations at the center, including internal training, story development, and issue response.
Partnerships
- Serve as primary liaison to university communication partners including, Michigan News, The Record, and U-M Social, and develop and implement strategies to further CAI's goals through engagement with these units.
- Engage university partners, faculty, and unit representatives to coordinate marketing and communications support for launches of CAI products and strategic initiatives.
Team Supervision
- Lead a team of full time employees (e.g., content specialist, marketing communications specialist, and marketing copywriter) and oversee supervision of content-focused student fellows.
- Manage team members- workload; establish, share and monitor priorities; review their work for strategic alignment and quality.
- Proactively plan and deploy processes to promote continuity of team operations and improvement.
- Provide mentorship, identify and suggest relevant professional development opportunities, and adhere to CAI performance management processes.
- Contribute to budget setting and management within the Marketing & Market Strategy team.
- Maintain a team work environment that is respectful and upholds U-M Workplace Values by setting clear expectations for behavior as well as leading team and individual conversations.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 8+ years of progressively responsible, relevant work experience including 2+ years of supervisory experience.
- Proficiency in AP Style
- Working knowledge of common website CMSs, e.g., WordPress, email tools, e.g., Mailchimp, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, and SEO/GEO
- Proven ability to work successfully with a high degree of autonomy within a collaborative culture and exercise independent decision-making on matters of strategic importance
Salary Information
The general salary range for this position is $115,000 - $120,000. Candidates can expect to be paid a competitive and equitable salary. Factors used to determine salary include education level, experience, knowledge and skills for the position and internal equity within the unit. All candidates are encouraged to discuss salary questions to honor alignment and transparency throughout the recruiting process.
Organizational Statement on Harassment
We believe all individuals deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and have the right to work in a professional atmosphere that promotes mutual respect and a safe space for collaboration. Any concerns shared with any staff members and student employees in the Center for Academic Innovation will be reported to the Equity, Civil Rights, & Title IX Office to be reviewed and addressed, and the Center for Academic Innovation encourages reporting of any forms of harassment including sexual and gender-based harassment.
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.
