Communications Manager

Grade Level 46 | Full-Time | Lexington, KY | Hybrid flexibility available

About the Role

The University of Kentucky is seeking a Communications Manager to lead marketing, communications, and brand engagement efforts for UK Innovate and its affiliated programs. This role serves as the primary communications professional for UK Innovate, helping showcase the university’s innovation ecosystem through strategic storytelling, digital communications, branding, social media, and marketing initiatives. The successful candidate will work closely with program leaders, innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders to increase awareness, engagement, and impact across a broad portfolio of initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute marketing and communications strategies that support UK Innovate programs and priorities
• Create content for websites, newsletters, annual reports, presentations, marketing materials, email campaigns, and digital communications
• Manage UK Innovate websites and support ongoing content development and maintenance
• Develop and maintain social media content, campaigns, and audience engagement strategies
• Design marketing collateral, graphics, presentations, and visual assets that support program promotion and brand consistency
• Coordinate communications projects across multiple initiatives, programs, and stakeholders
• Track website and social media analytics to improve engagement and communications effectiveness
• Support events, workshops, training programs, and stakeholder outreach activities through targeted communications and promotional efforts

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• 6 years of related experience in marketing, communications, public relations, or digital media
• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling abilities
• Experience managing websites, social media platforms, and digital marketing campaigns
• Strong graphic design and visual communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational, relationship-building, and project management skills
• Experience working with content management systems, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or similar tools

Skills & Tools

• Microsoft Suite products
• Canva or Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Creative Suite
• CRM platforms
• Asana

Benefits

• Meaningful impact: Help promote innovation, entrepreneurship, research commercialization, and economic development initiatives across Kentucky
• Creative variety: Work across content creation, branding, digital media, web management, and strategic communications
• Professional growth: Expand your expertise in innovation communications, marketing strategy, and stakeholder engagement
• Hybrid flexibility: Opportunity for hybrid work arrangements with approval
• Collaborative environment: Partner with innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, and university leaders

Pay

$53,061–$87,526/year

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM