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Communications Manager

University of Wisconsin-Stout
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Communications Manager

University of Wisconsin-Stout's Marketing & Communications team is looking for its next visionary Communications Manager. Use your knowledge, skills and experience to lead our public relations efforts and ensure Blue Devils are grabbing headlines for their industry impact, thought leadership and ground-breaking innovation.

There's always something big happening at UW-Stout, and your knowledge of current trends and events will be a key asset in connecting Wisconsin's Polytechnic University with the media's top stories of the day. Your curiosity and inspiration will uncover new stories and create new relationships through public relations, media outreach and news stories. You'll collaborate with the Communications team and campus leaders to enhance the university's reputation in engineering, technology, design, management and other industry-aligned fields. You'll help to enhance our flagship magazine with stories that highlight our graduates' impact with some of the world's largest brands.

This is a rare opportunity for an experienced PR and news specialist to make their mark on UW-Stout's earned media strategy across print and tv news, industry publications, radio and podcasts, and other avenues.    

Universities of Wisconsin Official Title and Job Description: Communications Manager (CM003)

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum / Required

  • Bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations or a related field by employment start date
  • Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in media, communications or related fields
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Proven ability to drive, manage and execute high-quality editorial content including experience with news writing and/or copy editing as well as producing publications, such as, but not limited to magazines, newspapers and newsletters
  • Experience working for or with regional, state and national media
  • Experience in a supervisory or project management role
  • Ability to work independently to strategically prioritize and manage numerous projects simultaneously under deadlines while keeping a keen attention to detail
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with others to establish and maintain effective relationships with diverse entities

Preferred / Highly Desired

  • Proven ability to align multiple brand strategies in communications
  • Knowledge of digital media tactics, including SEO, media monitoring and web analytics
  • Experience using social media as a public relations and marketing tool
  • Experience with content management systems, such as Drupal
  • Demonstrated capacity to stay current in pursuing new and future technology as effective communication tools
  • Communications experience in a higher education setting

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Communications Manager is responsible for the strategic, creation and delivery of engaging internal and external news, PR and editorial content that drives revenue, builds partnerships and enhances brand reputation/awareness for the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Reporting to the Strategic Marketing Officer, the Communications Manager works closely with other managers to ensure communications align with higher institutional priorities and strategies, capture UW-Stout's voice and tone for various audience groups, emphasize key messaging, and adhere to style standards. The Communications Manager also supervises, advises and collaborates with other content developers, edits content, and coordinates resources to ensure all objectives are achieved on time and within budget, as assigned.

It requires the ability to work independently, with a high degree of discretion and adherence to university policies and procedures.

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

Marketing & Communications leads and implements cross-campus marketing communications, strategies and research to help drive UW-Stout's enrollment, partnerships, and fundraising initiatives. UW-Stout's Marketing & Communications Department is committed to creating an inclusive campus community. Candidates who have experience working collaboratively with diverse individuals and/or groups and who can contribute to fostering an inclusive environment are encouraged to identify their experience in these areas.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Applications received by end of day, November 4, 2024 are ensured full consideration.  Applications submitted after that date may be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee until the position is filled.

To apply, click on the APPLY button or go to: https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us/careers-jobs 

Required application materials: 
1. Cover letter 
2. Current Resume
3. Three (3) news-based writing sample(s)

Please use your cover letter to speak to each of the Minimum/Required Qualifications for this position as listed above. For each required qualification, describe your relevant experience, using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement.

All final candidates will be asked to provide names, email contact information, and/or phone numbers for three (3) references, with at least one being from a manager or supervisor, during the interview process.  

Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required documents prior to submitting the online application.

Note: Once you have attached your materials and submitted your application you will not be able to go into the system and change them.

Before starting the online application process, we recommend you preview the frequently asked questions (FAQs) available at: https://kb.uwss.wisconsin.edu/21900 

It is the policy of UW-Stout to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance, or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact us using the information below. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodation for a qualified individual's disability.

For questions regarding this position or recruitment, please contact:

Search Chair: Abbey Goers
Email: goersab@uwstout.edu 

If you need assistance with the online application process or if you submitted your application prior to uploading all required application materials, please contact:

Search Coordinator: Sky Willam
Email: willams@uwstout.edu 

INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEW  

University of Wisconsin-Stout, Wisconsin's Polytechnic University, offers an unmatched career-focused education that combines applied learning, theory and research with real-world experience that prepares tomorrow's leaders to drive the future of business and industry. At UW-Stout, our students do more than earn a degree--they do on day one. And we are #StoutProud to produce lifelong learners, ethical leaders and responsible citizens who succeed in a global society.  
 
UW-Stout is recognized nationwide for its operational excellence. We were the first and remain the only four-year public higher education institution in the nation to receive the Malcolm Baldrige Award, and we are dedicated to a process-improvement model that leverages the power of data and the value of our people. We believe in critical thinking and fact-informed decision making. We pursue sustainability in form and function and collaborate across campus and with our partners to solve problems in industry and society. And providing an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment for our faculty, staff and students to live, learn and work is a top priority.

We offer 50+ undergraduate degrees, 20+ graduate degrees and 30+ certificate options in Art, Design & Graphics; Business & Management; Education; Human & Social Sciences; Information Technology & Communications; and Science, Engineering & Math. Our first-class digital infrastructure and learning environments provide our nearly 7,000 students with every avenue to explore and personalize their success. As the only laptop+ campus among the 13 Universities of Wisconsin, UW-Stout provides laptops and industry-standard software, open education resources and other technology-driven advantages all included in on-campus undergraduate tuition and fees. And we invest in people who share our vision to advance our position as Wisconsin's only Polytechnic University and as a regional, national and international leader in higher education.  

Be a part of the future at UW-Stout. Learn more at https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us 

University of Wisconsin-Stout is located in Menomonie, Wisconsin, a community an hour east of Minneapolis-St. Paul. A pillar of Wisconsin's Chippewa Valley and recognized as one of the best small towns in America, Menomonie provides an idyllic combination of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, boutiques and arts and culture with access to a metropolitan area. For more information about the UW-Stout community and region visit: https://www.uwstout.edu/about-us/our-community 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Minimum starting salary of $56,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.   The Universities of Wisconsin provides an excellent benefits package including participation in the Wisconsin State retirement plan, demonstrating our commitment to the diverse needs of our employees. UW-Stout is certified as a Family Friendly Workplace which recognizes market-leading employers for employee benefits and commitment to supporting children and families.

UW-Stout is committed to nondiscrimination in its employment practices and to equal employment opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate against, harass or retaliate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (as defined in state and federal law), sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, pregnancy, marital or parental status, genetic information, arrest record, conviction record, military service, veteran status, use or nonuse of lawful products off the employer's premises during non-working hours, political affiliation, declining to attend a meeting or participate in any communication about religious matters or political matters, honesty testing, or any other category protected by law.  

As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, UW-Stout welcomes applications from individuals from diverse groups; veterans, individuals with disabilities and from historically excluded populations. At UW-Stout we value our differences and welcome diverse perspectives as we continually commit to developing an inclusive and equitable environment for all employees and students.  

Employment is contingent upon the final candidate's completing a criminal background check and being cleared to work by the Human Resources Office.  Employment is also contingent upon the final candidate passing reference checks and an essential job function test, as applicable. The reference check process includes asking the final candidate and most recent supervisor(s) questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. Final candidates with previous employment within the UW System and State of WI agencies will be subject to additional reference checks.

Official transcripts required at time of hire.

The University of Wisconsin-Stout does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. A successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment and for maintaining work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact our Human Resources office, Phone: 715.232.2149.

In response to a public records request, the University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in their online application, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7)

UW-Stout is committed to providing safety and security of all members of our community in accordance with the Clery Act. For campus safety information and crime statistics visit: https://www.uwstout.edu/life-stout/police-and-parking/clery-information