Innovation Marketing and Outreach Manager

Help move world-class research from the lab to the marketplace.

The University of Maine's Division of Marketing and Communications (MarCom) is hiring an innovation marketing and outreach manager to support UMaine’s Office of Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Resources and Engagement (SPIRE).

We are looking for an experienced professional who can build a strategic marketing plan to drive new and expanded partnerships and revenue growth.

This is the role for you if you want to…

• Promote groundbreaking research discoveries being brought to market
• Strengthen the connection between higher education and Maine’s economic future
• Support innovation in forest biomaterials, advanced manufacturing, and the blue economy
• Build meaningful connections between our industry partners, university researchers, and students entering the workforce

This position, reporting to MarCom, will directly support SPIRE, the university’s hub for commercializing innovations that move Maine forward. Typical hiring range for this position is $68,000 to $75,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Reports to: Executive Director of Marketing 

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RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Develops and executes a strategic marketing plan to increase use of the university’s research and commercialization services, promote technology commercialization opportunities, and generate revenue and funding for the university. Works with center and department leaders in SPIRE to develop strategic marketing plans for their focus areas.

• Leads the development of relevant and engaging marketing materials and content highlighting the university’s innovation and strategic partnership activities, including but not limited to, advertisements, trade show displays, social media content, email newsletters, and web content.  

• Develops annual marketing budget and oversees its effective utilization for promotion through digital and print advertisements.

• Works with faculty, students, staff, and external partners to identify newsworthy stories and develop a strategy for marketing and outreach.

• Oversees incorporation of websites associated with SPIRE into overall marketing strategy.

• Assists with events and tours to engage important stakeholders such as business leaders, federal and state government officials, funding organizations, and community partners.

• Conducts and uses customer-focused research to identify public learning needs and preferences, demographic trends, technological use and preferences, effective communication methods, and public perceptions of UMaine.

• Perform other reasonably related duties as assigned. 

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KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Typically has the education associated with a Bachelor’s degree in a field that develops strong written communication skills, and four to seven years of directly related work experience, or an equivalent mixture of postsecondary education and relevant work experience. 

• Demonstrated success in developing strategic marketing plans to generate revenue and achieve measurable outreach and marketing objectives. Knowledge of and experience with current and emerging communication technologies. 

• The position requires self-direction, innovation, and vision, demonstrated ability to collaborate, as well as the ability to understand complex matters and devise successful strategies and the skills to readily resolve problems and issues.

• Experience creating, editing and managing highly informative and engaging content across different mediums. 

• Extensive experience in managing change, prioritizing, and managing multiple complex activities in a time-sensitive changing and fluid environment, and meeting deadlines with strong attention to detail and a high level of accuracy and quality. 

• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated excellence in interacting professionally and fostering solid partnerships both horizontally and vertically across many internal and external constituents and groups. 

• Experience in making administrative and procedural decisions and judgments on sensitive, confidential issues, to use independent judgment, and to manage, preserve, and impart confidential information.

• Proven analytical/market research experience, knowledge and skills. Experience gathering data, compiling information, preparing reports, and maintaining records.  

• Proficient skills in the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database management, and presentation software.  

• Proven interpersonal, small group and public communication skills. 

• Demonstrated success working with diverse internal and external constituencies. 

• Ability to travel normally requiring a valid driver's license.

Preferred: 

• Master’s degree.  

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WORKING ENVIRONMENT/DYNAMICS: SPIRE facilitates strategic partnerships with businesses, community, and government partners. It manages commercialization and entrepreneurship activities, intellectual property and technology transfer, and service contracts with industry. Flexibility, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within SPIRE. This position has frequent contact with University of Maine constituents such as federal and state lawmakers as well as business and community leaders. Work takes place in a typical office environment and various University and public event facilities throughout the state.

WORK SCHEDULE: Normal University of Maine business hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Work outside of normal business hours will frequently be expected to fulfill the needs and duties of this position.

POSITION TYPE: This position is a full-time regular, fiscal year professional position.