What are the responsibilities and job description for the Communications Manager II position at Michigan State University?
Working/Functional Title
Communications Manager II
Position Summary
Marketing and Communications Office. The successful candidate serves as a central function in translating the Broad Colleges strategic priorities into clear, consistent, and high-impact communications. This position ensures alignment across academic units, advancement, and university communications while driving visibility, reputation, and engagement with key audiences. This role is a strategic communications function that connects institutional priorities to measurable outcomes, including student engagement, enrollment positioning, research visibility, and donor impact. This includes but is not limited to supporting and developing the colleges content management and communication platforms. The Broad College of Business as part of a proud land-grant research university, we create and disseminate business knowledge through collaboration, developing global leaders who positively transform organizations and society. Our vision: Broad Spartans work hard, work smart, and work together to cultivate excellence in the next generation of global business leaders through boundary-pushing research, participative learning experiences, and meaningful community engagement. An integral part of our teams efforts in advancing the Broad Colleges mission and vision, the ideal candidate will work collaboratively with communicators, leadership, faculty, and staff.
The ideal candidate will also maintain vendor relationships, provide project management, assist with the creation of appropriate
processes and workflows, ensure compliance with university accessibility and branding standards, provide documentation and training
needs, and ensure support and customer service are available to platform users. The Communications Manager will also maintain
connections with and facilitate information sharing between campus partners and other MSU units. This position will report to the Senior
Communications and Marketing Director.
Content Creation/ Ideation; 40%: Plans/ writes new content strategies and campaigns, leading them from ideation to publication
within the college's owned channels (newsroom, newsletters and social media), the university's owned channels, as well as earned and
paid channels in external media outlets. Translate keyword research, search intent analysis,
and SEO insights into compelling, conversion focused content that increases visibility across search channels.
Public Relations Responsibilities- 20%: Directs public relations efforts for college, plans and implements public relations
budget and establishes policies and procedures related to the daily operation of public relations strategy.
Advises other units on media and public relations issues and designs and presents workshops on news writing, radio usage, newsletters,
and marketing strategies.
Support Responsibilities 20%: Pans, creates, produces, photographs, edits, records or drafts releases and feature materials for media and publications in order to inform the public and University of issues and events. Develops specialized communications plans for other units as requested.
Liaison Responsibilities; 10%: Serve as college liaison for MSU University Communications, University Advancement and MSU Alumni
Office to collaborate on external media relations and university communication initiatives. Foster new relationships and partnerships to enhance collaboration and cross-promotion efforts.
Supervisor Responsibilities; 10%: Works with other support staff in the unit, when formal supervision is assigned to the position, in addition to supervising students.
Minimum Requirements
Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Journalism, Telecommunications, Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations, or related field; three to five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in public and media relations; composing, editing and publication production; news, broadcasting, and print media; and/or marketing, advertising, and creative services; graphic design; word processing; desktop publishing; web design; presentation; spreadsheet and/or database software; public presentation or radio production; or computer programming/technology; and/or experience in a field related to are of employment; may require management and supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Desired Qualifications
Demonstrated experience with and excellence in: social media channels such as Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook;
social media management tools such as Sprinklr; content management systems such as WordPress; copyediting and proofreading, with
knowledge of AP style; and project management software such as Asana. Evidence of a commitment to ongoing learning of social media
trends and current best practices, with a curiosity to try new things and bring fresh ideas to the table. Exceptional interpersonal skills with individuals and groups in a diverse environment as well as strong oral, written and digital communication skills; passionate attention to detail; and an ability to lead projects from idea to completion.
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.
Work Hours
STANDARD 8-5
Remote Work Statement
MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.
Bidding Eligibility ends July 14, 2026 at 11:55 PM
Communications Manager II
Position Summary
Marketing and Communications Office. The successful candidate serves as a central function in translating the Broad Colleges strategic priorities into clear, consistent, and high-impact communications. This position ensures alignment across academic units, advancement, and university communications while driving visibility, reputation, and engagement with key audiences. This role is a strategic communications function that connects institutional priorities to measurable outcomes, including student engagement, enrollment positioning, research visibility, and donor impact. This includes but is not limited to supporting and developing the colleges content management and communication platforms. The Broad College of Business as part of a proud land-grant research university, we create and disseminate business knowledge through collaboration, developing global leaders who positively transform organizations and society. Our vision: Broad Spartans work hard, work smart, and work together to cultivate excellence in the next generation of global business leaders through boundary-pushing research, participative learning experiences, and meaningful community engagement. An integral part of our teams efforts in advancing the Broad Colleges mission and vision, the ideal candidate will work collaboratively with communicators, leadership, faculty, and staff.
The ideal candidate will also maintain vendor relationships, provide project management, assist with the creation of appropriate
processes and workflows, ensure compliance with university accessibility and branding standards, provide documentation and training
needs, and ensure support and customer service are available to platform users. The Communications Manager will also maintain
connections with and facilitate information sharing between campus partners and other MSU units. This position will report to the Senior
Communications and Marketing Director.
Content Creation/ Ideation; 40%: Plans/ writes new content strategies and campaigns, leading them from ideation to publication
within the college's owned channels (newsroom, newsletters and social media), the university's owned channels, as well as earned and
paid channels in external media outlets. Translate keyword research, search intent analysis,
and SEO insights into compelling, conversion focused content that increases visibility across search channels.
Public Relations Responsibilities- 20%: Directs public relations efforts for college, plans and implements public relations
budget and establishes policies and procedures related to the daily operation of public relations strategy.
Advises other units on media and public relations issues and designs and presents workshops on news writing, radio usage, newsletters,
and marketing strategies.
Support Responsibilities 20%: Pans, creates, produces, photographs, edits, records or drafts releases and feature materials for media and publications in order to inform the public and University of issues and events. Develops specialized communications plans for other units as requested.
Liaison Responsibilities; 10%: Serve as college liaison for MSU University Communications, University Advancement and MSU Alumni
Office to collaborate on external media relations and university communication initiatives. Foster new relationships and partnerships to enhance collaboration and cross-promotion efforts.
Supervisor Responsibilities; 10%: Works with other support staff in the unit, when formal supervision is assigned to the position, in addition to supervising students.
Minimum Requirements
Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Journalism, Telecommunications, Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations, or related field; three to five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in public and media relations; composing, editing and publication production; news, broadcasting, and print media; and/or marketing, advertising, and creative services; graphic design; word processing; desktop publishing; web design; presentation; spreadsheet and/or database software; public presentation or radio production; or computer programming/technology; and/or experience in a field related to are of employment; may require management and supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Desired Qualifications
Demonstrated experience with and excellence in: social media channels such as Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook;
social media management tools such as Sprinklr; content management systems such as WordPress; copyediting and proofreading, with
knowledge of AP style; and project management software such as Asana. Evidence of a commitment to ongoing learning of social media
trends and current best practices, with a curiosity to try new things and bring fresh ideas to the table. Exceptional interpersonal skills with individuals and groups in a diverse environment as well as strong oral, written and digital communication skills; passionate attention to detail; and an ability to lead projects from idea to completion.
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.
Work Hours
STANDARD 8-5
Remote Work Statement
MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.
Bidding Eligibility ends July 14, 2026 at 11:55 PM