Communications Specialist

The Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) is hiring a full-time Communications Specialist, responsible for development and implementation of CURA's strategic communications program direction, including public relations, marketing, outreach, events, and media relations; producing and implementing a comprehensive communications strategy; and assembling and coordinating a team of contract, part-time, and student employees to assist with these tasks.

The Communications Specialist will support CURA program staff to publicize and disseminate the work of CURA's research and technical assistance programs, advancing the organization's overall mission, and representing CURA to external audiences as needed.

The ideal candidate is a dynamic, creative, visionary, and entrepreneurial individual who enjoys the challenge of managing multiple tasks, projects, and people. They are an exceptionally strong writer with marketing sensibility and the ability to communicate complex or technical issues to multiple audiences. In addition to previous leadership experience, the ideal candidate will have direct experience with website management, social media, magazine production, and writing and editing.

Supervision: The Communications Specialist will supervise other communications staff, including contract employees (photographer, graphic designer, copyeditor) and student employees/interns.

Job Responsibilities:
55% Publications and Editorial Support

• Manage production and distribution of CURA Stories, regular electronic newsletter featuring impacts of CURA program activities.
• Write and produce other content communicating CURA programs, activities, and impacts, for various audiences including University administrators, community partners, and funders.
• Work with CURA program staff to coordinate production of CURA reports as necessary.
• Solicit, review, and work directly with authors (most of whom are University faculty) to develop manuscripts for publication in the CURA Reporter that retain their technical accuracy and research integrity while appealing to a lay audience.
• Manage production and distribution of electronic issues of the CURA Reporter, including writing announcements and regular features, copyediting manuscripts, assembling graphics and photographs, working with a graphic designer for layout, and overseeing printing and mailing
• Prepare annual report of CURA programs, projects, events, and other activities
• Oversee development, design, and production of miscellaneous CURA publications, including reports/monographs, policy briefs, displays, and marketing materials
• Develop standardized information templates for all CURA programs (e.g., PowerPoint, video, generic report covers)
• Supervise contract workers and external vendors as needed

25% Strategic Planning and Leadership

• Oversee and provide communications coordination and guidance for CURA and its programs
• Work collaboratively with CURA program and research staff to support communication needs across the organization, including the development of strategic communications to advance CURA's mission and goals with key audiences (University faculty, students, and alumni; state and local agency staff; legislators; business community; nonprofit and community organizations; and other stakeholders) via the media, U of M print and electronic publications, websites, multimedia, electronic newsletters, brochures, and other materials
• Collaborate with partner colleges and University Relations on communications and marketing
• Assist with preparation of and provide strategic direction for reports, briefings, grant applications, and other materials in support of CURA initiatives, as needed
• Hire, assign, review, train, evaluate and supervise a team of part-time and contract communications professionals, including graphic designers, web technicians, photographers, videographers, manuscript reviewers, writers, copyeditors/proofreaders, and student interns
• Represent CURA on University-wide communications committees

10% Website and Electronic Communications

• Supervise maintenance and regular content update for CURA's main website, online publications catalog, and affiliated program websites
• Supervise ongoing technical maintenance/troubleshooting of CURA and affiliated websites
• Oversee the review and updating of web design and information architecture as needed
• Oversee production of content for social media outlets (e.g., Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube).
• Supervise production of videos and other forms of multimedia
• Manage design and distribution of mass e-mails and other digital communications using MailChimp or a suitable alternative
• Develop and maintain digital CURA photo archive

10% Media Relations

• Develop relationships with local, state, and national media and serve as the point of contact for media relations
• Pitch news releases and stories to external media
• Work with the U of M News Service to distribute news releases to external media
• Maintain list of CURA content experts and respond to requests from the media
• Oversee development and implementation of communications training programs for faculty, staff and students
  
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Required

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Business, or related field and 4 years professional experience
• Demonstrated organizational and management skills, including the ability to plan and manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with others
• Demonstrated ability to work with a wide variety of constituencies, including academic, public policy, and community/nonprofit organizations
• Familiarity website design/management, social media (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube), research-oriented writing and developmental editing, four-color magazine production, graphic design, video and multimedia production
• Experience providing design and creative products for a program or organization

Preferred

• Advanced degree, 7+ years experience in communications field
• Demonstrated experience developing comprehensive communication plans
• Experience working with contract employees in communications and design fields
• Breadth of experience working in or with academic institutions and public-sector, private-sector, and nonprofit-sector organizations or agencies
• Experience working with local and national news media
• Experience implementing and enforcing organizational branding requirements and guidelines
• Experience or familiarity with research and public policy related to one or more of the following: communities and neighborhoods; economic development and employment; education; state or local government and policy; environment and energy; program evaluation and assessment; arts and culture; geographic information systems (GIS); health, human, and social services; housing; land use and population; sustainability; transportation; underserved and underrepresented groups
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with one or more of the following: website design/management, social media (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube), research-oriented writing and developmental editing, four-color magazine production, graphic design, video and multimedia production
• Experience translating research to inform policy and practice

CURA is an all-University applied research and technical assistance center that helps the University of Minnesota fulfill its land grant and urban missions by connecting faculty and student researchers with nonprofit organizations, businesses, neighborhoods, local governments, and state agencies in Minnesota. CURA supports research and publishes policy-oriented reports on a wide range of urban and regional issues.

Pay Range: $65,000 - $75,000 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.)

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• 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

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.

• A complete resume.
• A Cover letter explaining your interest in the position and how your career goals training and experiences support your candidacy.
• Three writing examples
• Names and contact information of three references.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).