Communications Associate

Details

Posted: 06-Apr-24

Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Salary: 55,000.00 - 65,000.00

Categories:

Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations/Communications
Staff/Administrative

Internal Number: 360512

We are looking for a new teammate like you if you are:

• An enthusiastic storyteller and media consumer,
• An honest and positive teammate excited to contribute in a variety of ways to a successful and supportive team,
• A creative thinker, willing to innovate, experiment, and try new things,
• Eager to be part of an organization that improves the lives of Minnesotans and people around the world, today and into the future,
• Seeking experiences with leaders and experts at all levels of a large, diverse and mission-driven organization.

The communications team at the University of Minnesota Research and Innovation Office is seeking a Communications Associate, reporting to our Director of Communications.
RIO Communications is dedicated to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Diverse teams, perspectives, and backgrounds are necessary to create a strong and creative team that communicates effectively to the Universityâ™s many communities, on campus and beyond. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQIA+, women, veterans, and members of historically underrepresented communities are highly encouraged to apply.
Our ideal candidate will:

• Collaborate successfully across units and departments within the University of Minnesota.
• Utilize strong organizational skills, and an ability to juggle multiple tasks in a professional manner;
• Learn and lead as a member of our team, including developing approaches to enhance strategic public relations efforts, responsiveness, and efficiency.
• Employ curiosity, personal initiative, and problem-solving skills to translate complex research topics into everyday language for general audiences.

Job Duties and Responsibilities 
The Communications Associate is an integral part of a small, multi-skilled, communications team that provides communications, marketing, and public relations services for RIO leadership and administrative/business units. This person will assist with developing and implementing communications strategies, in partnership with multiple other University units and departments, as well as external companies. The associate:

50% Time

• Writes, edits, and/or coordinates production of content for website, news releases, speeches, newsletters, mass email, marketing collateral, and other outlets to highlight the impact of University of Minnesota research, technology transfer, and corporate engagement efforts.
• Reviews materials for grammatical and stylistic accuracy, message consistency, and clarity of presentation.
• Collaborates with team members to establish editorial calendars and pitch story ideas.
• Seeks out and identifies relevant, systemwide UMN research stories to feature via RIO channels.

40% Time

• Compiles and assembles monthly research community newsletter and RIO internal newsletter. 
• Manages RIO social media accounts that highlight and amplify University research stories and messaging.
• Creates basic graphics and images for use in social media and news stories.
• Covers/attends events and takes photos for use in social media and news stories.

10% Time

• Assists website project manager in updating web content for RIO units using the Drupal content management system
• Works with University Relations Public Relations and college/campus communications professionals to develop successful media pitches that amplify University of Minnesota research stories and messaging.
• Undertakes related support activities, such as recording media placements, tracking metrics, maintaining project status reports, handling information requests, and other tasks as assigned.

Flexible Work Profile
This team works in a hybrid mode (flexibility to work partly from home and partly on campus). RIO and RIO Communications endorses a âœwork with flexibility❠approach, and the communications associate position is eligible for a range of options from fully on-campus to fully remote (with required attendance for some on-site events). RIO Communications management retains the right to modify flexible work arrangement agreements on a temporary or permanent basis for any reason at any time.

Salary Range
We offer a competitive annual salary range of $55,000 to $65,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Marketing, or other writing or communications-intensive field with two years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least six years
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including proofing and editing, sound news judgment and an entrepreneurial attitude. 
• Demonstrated commitment to critical communications skills, including: flexibility/adaptability, active listening, an ability to understand and incorporate other perspectives, etc.
• The ability to help develop and execute communications strategies, prioritize work, and follow through and work independently under deadlines.
• Demonstrated success communicating (or working) sensitively and effectively across cultures, including historically marginalized/underrepresented communities. 
• Proven understanding of how stories may be strategically amplified through social media and other communications channels. 

Preferred Qualifications
Any of these qualifications will help our team: 

• Knowledge of Drupal content management system
• Knowledge of AP style or other style guides
• Experience working across units at the University or other large complex organizations
• Experience developing successful pitches for earned media
  Proficiency with these apps: Microsoft Office and Google Suite; Adobe Photoshop,  Illustrator, and Lightroom; Salesforce Marketing Cloud (newsletters); Sprout Social 
• Project management experience
• Photo and/or video photography and editing experience
• Graphic design skills

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About University of Minnesota Twin Cities
The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.
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