Communications & Outreach Specialist

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology is an engaged and diverse community committed to excellence through research and teaching about the causes and consequences of biodiversity. Ecology and evolution are central to essential issues facing our planet today, such as global climate change, sustainable agriculture, infectious diseases, conservation, biodiversity loss, and much more.

About the role

Reporting to the Chief Administrator, the communications specialist will help to execute the Department's internal and external communications strategy. The successful candidate will be curious about science and a skilled storyteller with the ability to craft written and graphic content that engages audiences around the EEB mission and values, advances the department's reputation, increases student enrollment and donor engagement, and amplifies the impact of our students, faculty, and alumni.

Responsibilities

• Websites and Outreach
  • Write and curate news articles on EEB website and blogs
  • Lead the strategic vision for our web presence to best represent EEB's mission
  • Proactively maintain department websites using Adobe Experience Manager
  • Promote events (seminars, dissertations, defenses, and other big department happenings) in a clear and catchy way on all relevant platforms
  • Liaise with Michigan News/media relations and build relationships within the department to develop content for websites
  • Work with unit leadership to develop visional themes and ensure department cultures are consistent and reflected throughout the websites
  • Research, evaluate, and learn new tools to support communication needs
  • Collaborate with other U-M departments to share content and ideas
• Newsletters and other written materials
  • Write and edit the annual Natural Selections and the ecology and evolution e-newsletters as well as a monthly digital newsletter
  • Provide support for internal communications from the Chair's Office
  • Coordinate printing and distribution of newsletters
  • Develop brochures and other useful tools to help advance the department
• Advancement and alumni development
  • Work with department leadership to create a strategy to optimize fundraising efforts for EEB by understanding the department's needs and how they relate to donor interests
  • Partner with LSA Advancement to develop prospective donors
  • Administer donor appreciation notes and events
  • Prepare periodic department letters to alumni
  • Manage data related to donor activity
  • Ensure web presence is in line with fundraising strategies
  • Create a program for building alumni relations
• Additional Responsibilities
  • Actively participate in department events and engage with the EEB community to build relationships and an understanding of the science
  • Provide technical and planning support for all large seminar events
  • Provide administrative support and organization of communications materials
  • Support staff appreciation events
  • Oversee work study students, as needed
  • Other duties as needed

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• A minimum of three years of work experience in communications or media
• Outstanding writing and editing skills
• Experience in developing strategic communication plans, website design, and maintenance
• Expert with Zoom and other virtual meeting platforms and tools
• Demonstrated ability to set and balance multiple priorities

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a biology-related field or journalism is strongly preferred
• Experience with fundraising efforts and graphic design
• Familiarity with science writing, AP (Associated Press) style, MailChimp, WordPress, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube

Schedule

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment.