Communications Project Manager, UA MarCom / Communications Manager I

Michigan State University•East Lansing, MI

48d

About The Position

Michigan State University is seeking a communications project manager to join the University Advancement Marketing and Communications (UA MarCom) team. Reporting to Aimee Klevorn, Interim Managing Director of Project Management and Digital Marketing, the Communications Project Manager will be responsible for organizing and overseeing projects through intake, timeline management, workflow development, and coordination across teams. This role will focus on ensuring projects move efficiently from concept to delivery while aligning with Advancement's strategic priorities. As a member of the University Advancement Marketing and Communications team, the communications project manager will work closely with colleagues across Advancement to coordinate priorities, streamline processes and deliver effective, on-time communications solutions that support University Advancement's goals.

Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Journalism, Telecommunications, 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; graphic design; word processing; desktop publishing; web design; presentation; spreadsheet and/or database software; public presentation; or radio production; or computer programming/technology; experience managing content for social media channels; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Must have a valid driver's license at time of hire.

Nice To Haves

Experience in marketing, advertising, communications, public relations, or digital content design.
Two - four years of demonstrated success in managing marketing and communications campaigns.
Experience leveraging a content management system that hosts a wide variety of assets.
Experience with web analytics tools and turning numbers into insights.
Knowledge of the latest Adobe Creative Suite along with basic understanding of HTML and CSS.
Experience generating content, proofing and implementation of large email campaigns.
Experience with implementing accessibility standards for people with disabilities.
Knowledge of web analytics tools to accurately assess campaign effectiveness and turning numbers into valuable insights.
Experience working with vendors and generating timelines for various projects including print and digital materials.
A track record for driving more engagement with content.
Ability to work well independently and effectively as a team member.
Outstanding customer service skills.
An eye for creating graphically pleasing content.
Attention to detail but able to see the big picture.
Familiar with CRM systems e.g. Salesforce, Ellucian Advance, Blackbaud.

Responsibilities

Lead intake and scoping of UA MarCom projects to ensure alignment with unit goals and resources.
Develop and maintain project timelines, workflows, and deliverable tracking.
Manage multiple projects simultaneously, balancing short- and long-term initiatives.
Maintain and share timelines and project updates with key partners and stakeholders.
Facilitate team meetings and status check-ins to support cross-unit collaboration.
Monitor progress and adjust priorities as needed to ensure timely, high-quality outcomes.
Coordinate and maintain an editorial calendar to align content and creative deliverables across teams.
Report on project status, workflow efficiency, and overall impact of deliverables.
Write and edit content for a variety of channels, including web, email, print, media releases, and social media.
Collaborate with content strategists, designers, and subject matter experts to shape clear and compelling messaging.
Ensure consistency in tone, branding, and accuracy across all communications.
Build and deploy digital communications, including email campaigns and web updates.
Support digital advertising, social media, and marketing initiatives through content coordination and scheduling.
Assist in developing creative marketing strategies and integrated communications plans for unit initiatives.
Create regular reports on the performance and reach of marketing and communications efforts.
Track and analyze engagement metrics to measure effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.
Provide insights and recommendations to guide data-informed decision-making.