Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs and Internal Communications Apply Now **How to Apply** A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience. In the cover letter, two pages or less, please let us know how this role aligns with your career aspirations and skills. Please also include three recent professional writing samples, including at least one article or press release. Submit materials as one file due to system limitations. **Job Summary** The Office of the Vice President for Communications provides a wide range of communication expertise and services for the campus community to support the advancement of U-M's reputation locally, nationally and internationally. Visit our homepagehere (https://vpcomm.umich.edu/) . This is a hybrid position with onsite expectations in Ann Arbor, MI 3-4 days per week. You will work outside of regular business hours and will work nights and weekends. For a full job description, seelink (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JBH4VFh901aq4pNl8gUFSS6RnzXMsCjq/view?usp=drive\_link) here. For questions about this role, email [email protected] . **What You'll Do** Reporting to the Vice President for Communications, you will lead robust communication activities around some of the important initiatives at the University of Michigan. The Office of the Vice President for Communications (OVPC) is the central communications unit for the university, working in collaboration with hundreds of communicators across our three campuses and with our academic medical center. You will bring news, media relations, and crisis communications expertise and serve as a primary university spokesperson, representing our position and advising top leaders on a wide array of topics and issues. You will be adept at synthesizing multiple perspectives toward effective action plans that are broadly supported. The Assistant Vice President leads multiple functions and teams within OVPC: + Office of Public Affairs (https://publicaffairs.vpcomm.umich.edu/) + Internal Communication/University Record + Freedom of Information Office (https://foia.vpcomm.umich.edu/) **Responsibilities*** **Strategic Communications & Media Relations** + Be a primary spokesperson for the University of Michigan, representing the institution with credibility and professionalism. + Advise executive leadership on a wide range of topics, synthesizing multiple perspectives into actionable, broadly supported communications strategies. + Lead proactive news, media, and public affairs initiatives that advance the university's priorities and reputation. + Anticipate and respond to emerging issues and crises with timely, accurate, and strategic communications. **Leadership & Team Management** + Oversee multiple functions within OVPC, including the Office of Public Affairs, Strategic Communications, Internal Communications/University Record, and Freedom of Information Office. + Lead, develop, and retain a skilled, collaborative team delivering high-quality communications across diverse audiences. + Set priorities, allocate resources, and guide staff to ensure alignment with university goals and OVPC objectives. **Internal & External Engagement** + Foster relationships with university stakeholders across all campuses, academic medical centers, and administrative units to advance integrated communications strategies. + Collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure consistency, accuracy, and effectiveness of public messaging. + Promote a culture of transparency, inclusion, and responsiveness in all communications. **Operational Excellence & Innovation** + Implement best practices in communications, media relations, and public affairs. + Drive continuous improvement in processes, tools, and content to enhance the reach and impact of university communications. + Maintain awareness of emerging trends in higher education communications, public affairs, and media to shape strategies. + Commitment to promoting an inclusive, transparent, and accountable team culture. + Contribute to the strategic direction of OVPC and provide input on university-wide communications priorities. **Required Qualifications*** + Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field. + 10+ years of senior or top level experience in public affairs, media relations, or strategic communications, including advising executive leadership and serving as a spokesperson. + Expertise in digital communications, media relations, and public affairs best practices. + 5+ years of people leadership in a complex organization. + Strategic, analytical, and crisis management skills. + Experience engaging executive leaders, media, and diverse audiences. + Experience working in higher education or a complex, decentralized environment. **In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, the University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:** + Generous time off (Vacation, Holidays, Season Days) + A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting + Many choices for comprehensive health insurance + Life insurance + Long-term disability coverage + Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses + Flexible Work Program **Modes of Work** Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about thework modes (https://hr.umich.edu/working-u-m/my-employment/ways-we-work-resource-center/ways-we-work-implementation-group/modes-work) . **Additional Information** **Salary Information** The posting range for this position is $220,000-$240,000. This posting range reflects multiple factors involved in determining compensation, such as skills, experience, training, certifications, and other organizational needs. Compensation decisions are based on the details of each situation. **Application Deadline** Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended. **U-M EEO Statement** The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer. **Job Detail** **Job Opening ID** 268864 **Working Title** Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs and Internal Communications **Job Title** Public Affairs Top Executive **Work Location** Ann Arbor Campus Ann Arbor, MI **Modes of Work** Hybrid **Full/Part Time** Full-Time **Regular/Temporary** Regular **FLSA Status** Exempt **Organizational Group** Vice Pres Communicat **Department** Public Affairs **Posting Begin/End Date** 9/22/2025 - 10/13/2025 **Salary** $220,000.00 - $240,000.00 **Career Interest** Administration Communications & Marketing Apply Now