Communications Specialist

About the role

The Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR) is seeking a Communications Specialist to support communications, design, storytelling, and engagement efforts across the institute.

Responsibilities

• Content Creation
• Follow existing style guides and examples to write and maintain communications content for various delivery methods.
• Translate scientific, clinical, and administrative information into accessible language.
• Capture event highlights through written summaries, photos, quotes, and other content as appropriate.
• Graphic Design
• Apply established logos, typography, color palettes, templates, and brand guidelines from Michigan Medicine and MICHR to new projects.
• Adapt approved designs and content for different formats, audiences, and communications channels.
• Prepare, organize, and package files and assets for print, digital production, and project handoff.
• Make text, color, image, and layout updates based on feedback and direction from senior designers, communications leads, or clients.
• Digital Communications Support
• Support content updates and maintenance for MICHR’s website and related digital platforms.
• Apply existing editorial, brand, and accessibility guidelines to create and schedule social media content that aligns with MICHR priorities and Michigan Medicine branding standards.
• Auxiliary with email marketing campaigns, newsletters, event promotions, and audience segmentation as needed.
• Project Coordination and Collaboration
• Contribute to communications calendars, project timelines, and coordination of deliverables.
• Gather, organize, and track content, feedback, approvals, files, and other assets needed to complete communications deliverables.
• Support handoffs between content development, design, review, production, and distribution.
• Maintain organized project files, templates, shared assets, and documentation so materials can be updated and reused efficiently.
• Work closely with the communications team and other colleagues and partners across U-M.
• Manage multiple assignments simultaneously while meeting deadlines and maintaining attention to detail.
• Strategic Communications Support
• Help ensure consistent messaging, tone, branding, and visual identity across MICHR communications.
• Evaluate feedback on communications and make improvements.

Requirements

• Two years of experience and a bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, English, health communication, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling skills.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly and accurately for non-specialist audiences.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Experience developing content for websites, newsletters, email campaigns, social media, or other digital channels.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to work collaboratively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds, roles, and areas of expertise.
• Proficiency with office productivity, communication, and digital content creation tools, including Microsoft Office, PowerPoint or Google Slides, Adobe Creative Suite, or Canva.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, academic medicine, health care, research, public health, nonprofit, or mission-driven communications.
• Experience using analytics to evaluate communications performance.
• Experience with website platforms such as WordPress.
• Experience in email marketing platforms and social media management tools.
• Knowledge of AP Style, plain language principles, accessibility best practices, and inclusive communications.
• Experience working within branding or editorial guidelines.