Publicity Manager — Communications Manager I

MSU Careers Details•East Lansing, MI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Michigan State University Press seeks a Publicity Manager to oversee the promotion of its books and journals and to help shape the Press's public presence. Reporting to the Marketing Manager, this full-time, hybrid role oversees a wide range of publicity functions, including catalog development, seasonal sales support, website and metadata management, and multi-channel communications. The Publicity Manager plays a key role in ensuring that new and existing titles are accurately represented, strategically positioned, and effectively promoted across platforms. The position manages the Press’s social media presence, advertising efforts, and email marketing, while also coordinating the creation of promotional materials such as flyers, press releases, and digital campaigns. A central component of the role involves author and editor relations: guiding authors through the marketing process, coordinating events and award submissions, and supervising student employees who assist with reviews, endorsements, and outreach. The Publicity Manager also supports the Press’s presence at academic conferences, assisting with booth operations, book launches, and networking with scholars and partners. This role requires strong project management skills, strategic communication abilities, and experience in marketing—preferably within academic publishing. The ideal candidate will bring proficiency in web and database management, familiarity with tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, and the ability to engage diverse audiences through thoughtful, data-informed communication. The position is hybrid, with 2–3 days per week on-site in East Lansing, and offers the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the visibility and impact of scholarly publishing at Michigan State University. This position also requires occasional travel to events and conferences. The MSU Libraries Strategic Plan guides our current and future work. The candidate will collaborate with campus partners to help develop a welcoming and inclusive environment.

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.
An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in academic library
Graphic design experience—competency in Adobe Suite
Database management
Webpage management experience
Ability to collaborate well with others and help to foster a welcoming environment

Responsibilities

Oversee the promotion of books and journals and help shape the Press's public presence.
Manage catalog development, seasonal sales support, website and metadata management, and multi-channel communications.
Ensure new and existing titles are accurately represented, strategically positioned, and effectively promoted across platforms.
Manage the Press’s social media presence, advertising efforts, and email marketing.
Coordinate the creation of promotional materials such as flyers, press releases, and digital campaigns.
Guide authors through the marketing process.
Coordinate events and award submissions.
Supervise student employees who assist with reviews, endorsements, and outreach.
Support the Press’s presence at academic conferences, assisting with booth operations, book launches, and networking with scholars and partners.
Collaborate with campus partners to help develop a welcoming and inclusive environment.