Communications Manager I

MSU Careers Details • East Lansing, MI

20h • Hybrid

About The Position

MSU Culinary Services seeks an experienced communication manager with a results-driven attitude to produce materials for print and digital, support internal and external communications, seek out and develop story content for national publications, engage with students, spread awareness, drive customer advocacy, and oversee a team of student team members. This is a highly cross-functional role. You will work with other members of the MarCom team to implement best practices and identify opportunities to engage audiences leveraging social media channels. You are engaging and energetic with a drive for innovation and the ability to oversee and implement multiple projects simultaneously. The position reports to the Associate Director of Marketing and Communications and collaborates across Culinary Services and university partners. Culinary Services proudly embodies the Residential and Hospitality Services (RHS) mission and values: We empower all Spartans to succeed by creating holistic and engaging residential, culinary, recreational, and hospitality experiences that shape life outside the classroom and beyond graduation. Belonging | We support the well-being of the community, inclusively, with care and respect. Partnership | We embrace teamwork and collaboration, supporting each other and the community. Stewardship | We take pride in doing what is best for current and future Spartans as stewards of the resources entrusted to us. Learning and Development | We stay curious by exploring opportunities to learn and innovate. Safety | We prioritize the safety of Spartans, striving to create environments that foster security and trust.

Requirements

• Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Journalism or Public Relations
• One to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in public and media relations, composing, editing and publication production, news, broadcasting, and print media, and/or marketing, advertising, and creative services; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience and advanced proficiency with MS Office Suite and Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop).

Nice To Haves

• Proactive and strategic self-starter with strong interpersonal skills, ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Project management
• Proofreading
• Design
• Photography/videography
• Community engagement and outreach event planning

Responsibilities

• Produces high-quality written, visual and multimedia content for digital, print, social media and internal communications.
• Manages content development from concept and production through review, publication and performance tracking.
• Creates monthly internal newsletters and articles for university and national publications.
• Maintains accurate content calendars, project timelines, files, reports and performance metrics.
• Ensures content is timely, accessible and consistent with university and departmental brand standards.
• Manages and mentors student content creators, providing assignments, creative direction and feedback.
• Serves as brand manager for Retail Dining, Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center and State Room Restaurant.
• Uses performance data and audience feedback to strengthen content and improve future results.
• Identifies key audiences and tailors messages, platforms and tactics to meet their needs.
• Creates integrated plans across social media, web, email and print.
• Establishes communication goals and evaluates results to inform future strategies.
• Manages campaign timelines, editorial calendars, stakeholder reviews and approval processes.
• Conducts audience research, social listening and trend analysis to identify opportunities and guide decisions.
• Develops communications for programs, events, organizational milestones and sensitive or time-sensitive topics.
• Prepares key messages, talking points, articles, presentations and promotional materials.
• Builds collaborative relationships with leaders, subject-matter experts, university departments and external partners.
• Serves as a communications liaison to ensure projects and messaging remain coordinated and aligned.
• Consults with stakeholders to understand goals, audiences and communications needs.
• Translates complex operational information into clear, accessible and audience-focused content.
• Coordinates with artists, photographers, printers and other creative partners to deliver projects accurately and on schedule.
• Guides student content creators through assignments, production, review and professional development.
• Incorporates stakeholder and audience feedback while maintaining strategic and brand standards.
• Communicates project status, expectations, deadlines and results clearly across teams.
• Develops creative campaigns that connect with students, team members, guests and the broader MSU community.
• Identifies emerging trends, platforms and content formats to keep communications relevant and engaging.
• Uses social listening and audience insights to create timely, authentic content.
• Incorporates student-generated content and peer-to-peer storytelling to strengthen trust and engagement.
• Produces compelling photography, video, graphics and written stories that showcase MSU programs, people and experiences.
• Tests new communications approaches and adjusts strategies based on performance data.
• Promotes programs, services, events and achievements through coordinated digital, print and public relations efforts.
• Strengthens community awareness and participation through accessible, inclusive and audience-centered communications.
• Interacts with students, faculty, staff, media representatives, student employees, supervisors, Culinary Services team members, and divisional partners to exchange information and support communication objectives.

Benefits

• All positions in RHS are designated as critical status. In the event of a university closure, modification, or suspension of operations due to snow or other emergency condition, persons in this position are expected to make all reasonable attempts to report to work as scheduled for the duration of the closure/suspension.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level