Marketing and Communications Specialist

This position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship and does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

About the role

This critical communications position focuses on the strategy and execution of key marketing and communications activities to build, enhance, and protect the reputation of units/departments within the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS). This role is part of the CFANS Marketing and Communications team and will serve units in CFANS, including the Division of Applied Economics and Agricultural Education, Communication and Marketing, working directly with department heads and program leaders.

A strategic communications foundation is core to building, shaping, and protecting the organization’s brand. This position will focus on unit-level communications while aligning strategies with the College and University goals. The role involves modernizing the Division’s communications efforts through effective storytelling, using channels that advance the organizational mission, vision, and goals to reach and motivate key audiences. It also includes capturing and communicating the meaningful work, societal impact, and purpose-driven nature of CFANS.

Responsibilities

• Communications Strategy (40%)
  • Create, orchestrate, and execute external communications strategies to advance division priorities.
  • Oversee all incoming and outgoing media opportunities.
  • Drive promotion strategy and execution.
  • Serve as a consultative communications partner within the Division of Applied Economics and Agricultural Education, Communication and Marketing.
  • Advise division members on internal and external communications efforts for events and programs.
  • Create and refine key message architecture and ensure message alignment.
  • Link media approach to broader CFANS and University strategies and priorities.
  • Coordinate with CFANS and University partners to demonstrate the impact of work in Greater Minnesota.
  • Develop familiarity with teaching, research, and outreach programs to discover and promote stories.
  • Create and champion new, innovative channels to reach and influence key stakeholders.
  • Collaborate with CFANS communications teammates on story positioning and messaging.
  • Track and report communication metrics as appropriate.
• Content Creation (40%)
  • Serve as writer and editor for external communications across print and digital channels.
  • Lead science storytelling to underscore the impact of research and teaching.
  • Draft and edit digital content for crisp, impactful storytelling.
  • Contribute to social media strategies and implementation.
  • Coordinate with University Relations and CFANS on division-related opportunities.
  • Create a strategic and proactive storytelling approach to reach key stakeholders.
  • Partner with division leadership to uncover and promote stories from departments, centers, research, outreach, programs, alumni, and donors.
  • Create and partner on writing with others across CFANS, departments, centers, alumni, and development teams.
  • Develop dynamic department and program websites and presentations that reinforce the mission and vision.
  • Accept requests for communications input and assign tasks to student interns as appropriate.
  • Attend Division events to capture story content in support of media strategies.
• Student Intern Supervision and Mentorship (10%)
  • Hire, train, mentor, and evaluate student worker interns interested in communications.
  • Direct students’ work on newsletters, websites, social media, and other products.
  • Assign interns to Division events to capture story content.
  • Conduct communications competitions and contribute to student showcase planning.
  • Explore opportunities for students to create and present communications-related work.
• Division Service (10%)
  • Actively participate in Division and CFANS Advancement and Communications meetings.
  • Increase awareness of communications efforts by presenting at faculty and staff meetings.
  • Serve as an active and engaged member of the Division administration.
  • Represent the Division with outside partners as appropriate.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in communications, marketing, public relations, or a closely related field, and at least four (4) years of professional experience in a related role.
• Experience with marketing, branding, and communications principles, including managing the creative services process and project management.
• Strong written, digital, and web communications skills.
• Experience with digital platforms, including Drupal, Salesforce, and/or related platforms.
• Demonstrated experience with Google Office Suite and/or Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience writing and editing scientific research stories.
• Ability to work independently while adhering to deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity working within academic environments.
• Familiarity with food, agricultural, and natural resource sciences sectors.

Pay

Pay Range: $72,000 to $76,000 annually, depending on education, qualifications, and experience.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including:
  • Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off.
  • Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program.
  • Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans.
  • Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
  • University HSA contributions.
  • Disability and employer-paid life insurance.
  • Employee wellbeing program.
  • Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution.
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity.
  • Financial counseling services.
  • Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost.
  • Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area.

Initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range, ensuring compensation reflects individual credentials and experience while maintaining equity.