Manager, Communications

University of Maryland•College Park, MD

11d•$91,040 - $109,248•Onsite

About The Position

The Center for Global Sustainability (CGS) at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy seeks a Manager, Communications to serve as the Center's lead communications professional. Reporting to the Assistant Center Director, with a dotted-line reporting relationship to SPP's Senior Director of Strategic Communications, the Manager leads the planning, coordination, and execution of communications activities that amplify CGS research, strengthen the Center's brand and visibility, and engage policy, research, media, partner, and other audiences. The Manager oversees day-to-day communications operations and translates Center priorities into coordinated communications plans, campaigns, and deliverables. The position serves as a primary curator of CGS's external communications and digital presence, ensuring that the Center's research, expertise, accomplishments, and activities are communicated through clear, compelling, coordinated, and audience-appropriate content across print and digital channels. Working proactively with CGS faculty, researchers, and program teams, the Manager identifies opportunities to amplify research findings, publications, expertise, and thought leadership; develops and produces high-quality original content; and provides communications guidance and high-level communications support to CGS leadership. The Manager also collaborates with School and University communications partners to extend CGS's reach and identify opportunities to broaden engagement with policy, government, academic, media, philanthropic, and other relevant audiences.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Three (3) years of professional communications or marketing experience.
One (1) year of experience leading or supervising professional staff.
Knowledge of writing, editing, and proofreading.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office and Google Workspace products.
Ability to prioritize assignments.
Ability to multitask while demonstrating a commitment to customer service.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in a relevant field.
Experience in higher education, a research center, nonprofit, think tank, public policy organization, or similar mission-driven environment.
Experience communicating research related to climate change, energy, sustainability, environmental policy, or public policy.
Experience translating complex research or technical information for nontechnical audiences.
Experience working with faculty, researchers, technical experts, and organizational leadership.
Experience with media relations, publications, creative services, and communications analytics.
Experience supervising professional staff, student employees, contractors, or project teams.
Excellent written, verbal, editing, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to translate complex research, technical, scientific, and policy information into clear and compelling content for diverse audiences.
Strong editorial judgment, attention to detail, and commitment to accuracy.
Knowledge of digital communications, social media, web content management, media relations, publications, and audience engagement.
Strong project management and organizational skills, including the ability to establish priorities and manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to provide effective supervision, direction, coaching, and feedback to staff and student employees.
Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with faculty, researchers, administrators, senior leadership, external partners, vendors, and media representatives.
Ability to exercise independent judgment in carrying out established communications priorities and managing communications projects from planning through execution.
Ability to use communications metrics and performance information to evaluate activities, identify trends, and recommend improvements.
Proficiency with common communications, web content, social media, email marketing, and project management tools.

Responsibilities

Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of CGS communications activities and translate Center priorities into actionable communications plans and campaigns.
Lead research communications and dissemination for reports, publications, policy analyses, tools, and other research products.
Oversee development and editing of news stories, research highlights, newsletters, web content, announcements, and other communications products.
Manage CGS digital communications, including website content, social media, newsletters, email campaigns, digital engagement, and content governance.
Coordinate media relations, including media outreach, press materials, interview requests, media preparation, and tracking of media coverage.
Oversee CGS brand implementation and creative services, including reports, publications, presentations, infographics, data visualizations, photography, video, templates, and collateral.
Lead communications and promotional support for CGS events in partnership with CGS Operations, which manages event logistics.
Provide communications materials and messaging support for stakeholder engagement led by the Director's Office and research/program leads.
Supervise communications staff and student employees and coordinate external vendors and creative professionals.
Monitor communications performance and use web, media, email, social, and other metrics to recommend improvements.