Content Specialist

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How to Apply

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).

What You'll Do

The Center for Academic Innovation at the University of Michigan is seeking a qualified Content Specialist who will be responsible for content creation focused on the center's Online Teaching website, a faculty resource devoted to effective online teaching. This person will be responsible for generating ideas, researching, and interviewing staff at the center who are experts in the planning, development, creation, production, and management of online courses. The ideal candidate will have a passion for learning new things on various topics, the ability to clearly communicate complex ideas for non-experts, and someone who thinks creatively about new ways to create and share stories that inform, engage, and inspire target audiences. The Content Strategist will report to the Communications Lead.

The University of Michigan's Online Teaching website (onlineteaching.umich.edu), created by the Center for Academic Innovation, is a leading resource for faculty on campus and around the world who are seeking to teach online more effectively. Michigan Online (online.umich.edu) is the university's destination for online learning. As a Content Specialist, your passion for learning new things, ability to clearly communicate complex ideas, and gift for thinking creatively about content and sharing information that engages and informs will be used to create content that is seen by faculty, students, and learners around the world.

Mission Statement

The Center for Academic Innovation (CAI) is committed to inclusion in our organizational work, culture, climate, and the products we create. We strive to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse team as a reflection of our commitment to our work designing equitable and inclusive learning and work environments that are necessary for the university community to make progress on solving societal challenges. CAI draws on each of our team member's unique backgrounds and experiences to guide our everyday work in the center, and our team collaborates with students, staff, and faculty on projects that center our commitment to DEIJ work. All interested applicants, including those from groups historically marginalized by educational privilege, are encouraged to apply.

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 Individuals with Reporting Obligations 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.

Who We Are

About the Center for Academic Innovation

Through curricular innovation, tools for student success and equity, and educational research and analytics, the University of Michigan Center for Academic Innovation is building the future of education. Our vision is a future in which education connects and empowers learners everywhere to reach their full potential throughout their lives. To realize our vision, we make it our mission to collaborate across campus and around the world to create equitable, lifelong educational opportunities for learners everywhere.

About the Marketing and Market Strategy Team

The Marketing and Market Strategy team works with all teams at the center to help enhance awareness and reputation of the center and enrollments and adoptions of its learning opportunities and educational technology tools.

For more information, please visit our website: Academic Innovation.

Responsibilities*

• Write compelling, educational communications content as part of the marketing and communications plan for the Center for Academic Innovation using the center, Online Teaching, and/or Michigan Online brand voice and style across the center's websites, blogs, partner websites, email, social networks, and other channels.
• Generate, research, write, and edit stories and email newsletters for Online Teaching and Michigan Online, including sourcing, interviewing, writing, editing, and publishing content on both platforms.
• Serve as primary editor/collaborator with center staff on staff-written content related to their expertise in the creation, production, and management of online courses and online learning opportunities on Online Teaching platform.
• Write website copy, including learner resources, audience pages, learner testimonials, and learner stories for Michigan Online.
• Identify appropriate delivery methods, including but not limited to articles, guides, videos, podcasts, and related targeted email and social outreach.
• Contribute to cross-team monthly content plans and marketing planning efforts as required.
• Collaborate with M&MS team colleagues and CAI-wide colleagues to develop and coordinate work.

Required Qualifications*

• At least 5 years of professional experience in marketing, communications, journalism, or a combination of education and experience.
• Proven ability to work with subject matter experts and translate complex topics into clear, engaging content for a broad audience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience with Associated Press style.
• Experience with email marketing tools.

Additional Information

Salary Information

The general salary range for this position is $61,000 - $66,000. 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.

Please Note: This is a 5 year term limited position with the possibility of renewal depending on funding.

Must have legal authorization to work in the United States.

This is not a remote position and any adjustments to a standard in-person schedule will be discussed during the hiring process.

Excellent benefits are available, for details, see http://benefits.umich.edu/

Background Screening

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. 

Application Deadline

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.

Decision Making Process

Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and continue until the position is filled.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.