Senior Communications Manager

Founded in 1856, University of Maryland, College Park is the state’s flagship institution. Our 1,250-acre College Park campus is just minutes away from Washington, D.C., and the nexus of the nation’s legislative, executive, and judicial centers of power. This unique proximity to business and technology leaders, federal departments and agencies, and a myriad of research entities, embassies, think tanks, cultural centers, and non-profit organizations is simply unparalleled. Synergistic opportunities for our faculty and students abound and are virtually limitless in the nation’s capital and surrounding areas. The University is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding and diverse faculty and staff that will enhance our stature of preeminence in our three missions of teaching, scholarship, and full engagement in our community, the state of Maryland, and in the world.

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify someone from employment. Prior to any adverse decision, finalists have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding the background check.

The University reserves the right to rescind offers of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Offers are contingent on providing proof of employment eligibility in the United States no more than 3 days after the initial start date. If this proof is not provided within this timeframe, the offer may be rescinded or employment terminated.

Position Summary/Purpose of Position:

The Senior Communications Manager is a critical leader of strategic communications, marketing and branding strategy for the advancement of the transformational Do Good Institute at the University of Maryland that further expands the reach of the Do Good Campus and the thought leadership and reputation of the Institute, School of Public Policy, and the University of Maryland in nonprofits, philanthropy, social impact and civic engagement fields. The Senior Communications Manager will lead strategic efforts, projects and programming that elevate and advance the Institute’s major goals across our Do Good Campus, our Do Good Lab (research), and our Nonprofit Leadership Executive Education and Training. The position will oversee the success of the Institute’s communications team, effective budget management and several critical consultants and contractors.

Benefits Summary

Top Benefits and Perks:

Exempt Benefits Summary

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in communications, marketing, higher education, nonprofit, public, social sector(s) or other fields relevant to the position.

Experience:

• Two years of prior direct supervisory experience.
• 7+ years of relevant professional work experience in communications, marketing, higher education, nonprofit, public, social sector(s) or other fields relevant to the position.
• Demonstrated ability to lead communications, marketing and branding for a large and multi-faceted organization within a large institution.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated excellence in leading and elevating communications, marketing, branding and other strategic efforts for a large organization.
• Ability to manage, mentor and support the development of multiple team members and oversee multiple contractors and vendors.
• Ability to cultivate and steward important partnerships and relationships on and off campus
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills to manage multiple deadlines, projects, relationships, contracts and details.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as cooperatively in a team environment; and must possess sound judgment, tact, and diplomacy in working with a variety of personalities and constituencies internally, across UMD, and externally.
• Demonstrated commitment to expanding multicultural knowledge, awareness, and skills as evidenced by demonstrating self-awareness; understanding and valuing others; demonstrating knowledge of social inequalities; interacting effectively with a diversity of people; fostering equity and inclusion.
• Budget management experience.
• Superb writing and copy editing skills for web and print communication, demonstrated knowledge of AP Style preferred.
• Knowledge of and experience with web content and site management, email marketing systems, social media platforms and digital media management.

Preferences:

Familiarity with the systems and processes of the University of Maryland or a similarly large and complex university or similar educational organization

Job Risks

Not Applicable to This Position

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk; or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop; kneel; or crouch.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and depth perception.

Best Consideration Date

09/08/2024

Diversity Statement:

The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.