Supervisor of Communications

Location: Big Rapids (Main Campus)

Advertised Salary: $89,471

Full-time, 12-month continuing position.

About the Role

Oversees external and internal communications, strategically aligning media relations to tell the stories of Ferris State University students, employees, and programs. Oversees the team creating stories using written, photo, and video resources to be distributed to media, posted on the website, and shared on social media.

The selected candidate for this position must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire without employer assistance or sponsorship now or in the future.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive communications strategies supporting University priorities.
• Advance Ferris State University's reputation through proactive storytelling and strategic media engagement.
• Serve as a trusted communications advisor to university leadership.
• Identify opportunities to elevate institutional visibility and thought leadership.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with local, statewide, regional, and national media to advance positive coverage of Ferris State University.
• Lead a team responsible for producing compelling written, photographic, video, and multimedia content for news media, university websites, publications, social media channels, and other strategic communications.
• Assist with executive communications, speeches, talking points, messaging, and official statements for university leadership.
• Play a leadership role in crisis and emergency communications, developing timely, accurate messaging for internal and external audiences through media relations, digital platforms, social media, and campus alert systems.
• Develop communications that keep faculty, staff, and students informed of significant University initiatives, accomplishments, and events.
• Monitor emerging issues and public sentiment to identify reputational risks and communications opportunities.
• Evaluate communications effectiveness using media monitoring, digital analytics, and engagement metrics to inform strategy and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with University Advancement and Marketing, Admissions, colleges, departments, and administrative units to identify and promote strategic stories and initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Director of Digital Experience and other marketing professionals to ensure communications strategies are integrated across web, social media, and digital platforms.
• Recruit, mentor, supervise, and evaluate assigned staff while fostering professional growth and collaboration.
• Operate a university or personal vehicle safely while carrying out job responsibilities; will authorize a driving record check and meet driving authorization requirements.
• Carry out responsibilities in accordance with university policies and applicable laws.
• Cultivate an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences.
• Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
• Perform any other duties assigned within the position classification area.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations, communications, marketing, or a closely related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible professional communications, public relations, journalism, or media relations experience, including experience developing strategic communications plans.
• Experience in higher education communications, government, nonprofit, or a similarly complex organization.
• Experience with crisis communications and issues management.
• Experience managing media inquiries during high-profile or sensitive situations.
• Familiarity with photography, video production, and digital storytelling.
• Experience supervising professional staff, student employees, interns, or cross-functional project teams.
• Experience working with executive leadership and advising organizational leaders on communications strategies.
• Experience with media monitoring, analytics, and communications measurement.
• Experience supervising communications professionals.

Skills

• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills.
• Excellent verbal communication and presentation abilities.
• Ability to translate complex information into engaging, audience-focused communications.
• Demonstrated leadership and strategic thinking skills.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across a complex organization.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and political awareness.
• Strong understanding of news media operations and earned media strategy.
• Experience serving as an organizational spokesperson or media contact.
• Outstanding organizational and project management abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with content management systems (CMS).
• Understanding of social media best practices.
• Knowledge of digital communications strategies.
• Experience with media monitoring and analytics platforms is preferred.
• Expert knowledge of Associated Press style and strong editorial judgment.
• Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse backgrounds, including cultural, educational, socioeconomic, and life experiences.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefit package including health care and vacation. Admin / Admin Temp Benefit Plans.

Physical Demands

• Office environment
• Bending
• Reaching
• Sitting
• Twisting
• Driving