Communications Manager

University of Wisconsin Stout • Oshkosh, WI

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting directly to the Assistant Chancellor for University Relations and Strategic Communications, the Communications Manager serves as a lead day-to-day owner of UW–Oshkosh’s newsroom and media relations operation. This position combines strong news judgment, exceptional writing and editing skills, proactive media relations, and public-information expertise to tell the University’s story accurately, strategically, and in a timely manner. The Communications Manager manages the UWO Today/newsroom pipeline, develops and advances story opportunities aligned with University priorities, writes and edits a variety of institutional communications, coordinates contributors and deadlines, and maintains high standards for accuracy, clarity, and institutional voice. The position serves as a primary day-to-day contact for media inquiries and builds productive relationships with local, regional, and statewide media. The Communications Manager proactively pitches University stories, experts, research, programs, and community impact and prepares media statements, talking points, background materials, and interview preparation. The position also coordinates newsroom and media needs with social, photography, video, creative, and digital colleagues to maximize opportunities for integrated and reusable content across University communications. The position also supports the University Relations function by helping coordinate the University’s engagement with government, business, civic, nonprofit, and community partners. This may include supporting University and government events, coordinating partnership meetings and institutional visits, assisting with chambers of commerce and University-led alliances, maintaining timely follow-up and two-way communication, and helping advance collaborative opportunities and shared initiatives. The Communications Manager identifies opportunities to extend this work through earned media, storytelling, and coordinated content across University platforms. The Communications Manager provides day-to-day direction, editing, and coaching to communications staff, student employees, and interns as appropriate and contributes to the development of newsroom, media relations, and writing standards, templates, and resources. The position also supports issues and crisis communications through fact gathering, message development, media coordination, and monitoring, serving as backup crisis communications support as assigned. Routine editorial and media relations matters are handled independently within established University priorities, while crisis, legal, personnel, safety, and high-profile reputational matters are appropriately coordinated and escalated to University leadership and partners. The duties and responsibilities listed above are not intended to be all-inclusive and may be adjusted or expanded as organizational needs evolve. Hybrid remote work may be available after the successful completion of the initial training period. Please note that the remote work policy is subject to change at the discretion of the school or university.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing or related field
• Demonstrated professional experience in journalism, media relations, public information, communications or a comparable deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent reporting, interviewing, writing and editing skills.
• Strong news judgment and the ability to identify compelling stories and distinguish institutional priorities from external news value.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple priorities, deadlines and projects.
• Sound judgment and discretion when working with sensitive, incomplete or rapidly changing information.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively with university leaders, faculty and staff, students, journalists and community partners.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in higher education, government, public-sector communications or another complex public-facing organization.
• Experience responding to media inquiries or serving in a media relations or public information officer (PIO) capacity.
• Experience supporting crisis or issues communications.
• Experience editing, coordinating or providing day-to-day direction to writers, communications staff, freelancers, interns or student employees.
• Demonstrated success identifying and developing proactive earned-media opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Manages the day-to-day operational unit plans to align with strategic initiatives and to meet established objectives
• Develops, implements, and delivers communication materials through various mediums to designated audiences
• Plans, writes, and edits content for various internal and external stakeholders
• Plans and directs unit programs and/or projects to ensure adherence to deadlines and budgets
• Identifies, proposes, and implements new or revised unit operational policies and procedures

Benefits

• Health plans, currently starting at $45 per month.
• 176 hours of vacation per year (prorated for start date).
• 36 hours of personal holiday, and 9 legal holidays (prorated for start date).
• 176 Hours of sick leave for first 18 months. After this period, employees can earn up to 96 hours per fiscal year. Accumulates without limit and does not expire.
• Paid parental leave after six months of continuous employment.
• Wisconsin Retirement System (pension) with 7.2% employer contribution for 2026.

What This Job Offers

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