Digital Communications Manager

University Communications

The Digital Communications Manager leads the planning, creation and delivery of email and other digital communications that strengthen engagement, connection and alignment across the university community. The Digital Communications Manager ensures faculty, staff and students receive timely, clear and consistent information through email channels that follow brand standards and meet WCAG accessibility guidelines. The role also oversees the university's campus event calendar, making sure events are accurate, timely and aligned with
institutional priorities. In addition, the manager provides training and guidance to campus partners on email best practices, including external communications, to ensure consistency, compliance and effectiveness.

This is a new position that will play a key role in shaping how the university communicates internally through digital and email channels. The Digital Communications Manager will establish processes, tools and standards to ensure consistent, effective and accessible communication across the campus community.

Strategic Planning and Coordination

• Develop and implement a comprehensive internal email communications strategy that aligns with university goals and enhances engagement across faculty, staff and students
• Consolidate the review, approval and distribution of university-wide and advancement emails under a coordinated platform to ensure consistency, accessibility and compliance
• Create editorial workflows and approval processes for digital communications, maintaining an organized content calendar that balances messaging across units
• Lead efforts to consolidate routine and one-off messages into audience-specific weekly campus email digest to reduce inbox clutter and improve message visibility

Execution and Content Management

• Plan, write, edit and schedule internal-related email communications, newsletters, and announcements that reflect institutional tone, brand and voice
• Ensure all new and existing digital communications meet WCAG digital accessibility and usability standards (ADA compliance, HTML optimization and mobile responsiveness)
• Manage and approve submissions for the campus event calendar, ensuring information is timely, accurate, and aligned with institutional priorities

Data and Performance Management

• Administer the university's enterprise email platform, ensuring compliance with brand guidelines, data privacy, and anti-spam regulations
• Analyze engagement metrics (open, click-through, conversion rates) and audience feedback to evaluate effectiveness and inform continuous improvement
• Utilize user data and analytics to make evidence-based recommendations that enhance communication strategy and segmentation

Training and Collaboration

• Provide training and consultation to faculty and staff on best practices for digital and email communications, accessibility and brand alignment
• Collaborate closely with University Advancement to coordinate external advancement messaging and donor communications
• Serve as a resource to campus communicators to improve the clarity, design, and impact of digital communications

Continuous Improvement

• Stay current on trends, tools, and compliance standards in higher education digital communications
• Identify process and content improvements that enhance user experience and strengthen engagement
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the goals of the Marketing and Communications division

Supervision Received

• Works within guidelines and policies, noting improvements and efficiencies to supervisor or department head

Supervision Exercised

• May mentor (or supervise as needed) others in completing communications duties

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University will not sponsor applicants for this position for employment visas.

40 hours/week, Monday through Friday

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 4 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

* Bachelor's degree in communications, media studies, English, journalism, marketing or related field
* Higher education experience
* Basic HTML coding
* Strong writing, editing and proofreading skills
* Strong knowledge of WCAG digital accessibility standards and how they apply to email
* Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities and deadlines
* Experience using an email management platform to build templates and schedule email
* Experience extracting meaningful information from analytical data
* Ability to translate technical or complex ideas into digestible content for a wide audience
* Knowledge of AP Style
* Proven experience in and enthusiasm for customer service

Salary Range: $60,000-$70,000
Grade: GGS-011
University Title: Senior Strategic Communications Consultant

Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

• Application materials include a cover letter and resume. Finalists will be asked to provide references at a later date.
• Applicants must combine all application materials into one PDF or Microsoft Word document and upload as a resume attachment to the UMSL Careers: https://www.umsl.edu/services/hrs/careers/index.html
• Limit document name to 50 characters. Maximum size limit is 11MB. Do not include special characters (e.g., /, &, %, etc.). For questions about the application process, please email employment@umsl.edu. If you are experiencing technical problems, please email umpshrsupport@umsystem.edu.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please email the Office of Human Resources at umslhr@umsl.edu.