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A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline particular skills and background experience that directly relate to this position.

Job Summary

The Chief Communications Officer (CCO) leads strategic communications for the College of LSA and is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy that serves to advance the College's mission and priorities. Reporting to the Dean and serving as a member of the Dean's Cabinet, the CCO is a trusted thought partner and counsel to the Dean and the Dean's leadership team. The CCO provides leadership for all communications professionals throughout the College, inside and outside of the Dean's Office, while coordinating with College leaders and University communications leadership. 

The CCO leads LSA's Marketing and Communications (M&C) team in service to the marketing and communications needs of the College broadly. A diverse team of professionals comprising creative, editorial, public relations, and marketing functions, the unit works across a range of digital and print communication channels to convey LSA's distinctive identity and value and to engage internal and external audiences in a deeper understanding and support of LSA and its strategic priorities. This work includes increasing emphasis on the development and execution of a communications strategy for and with internal audiences that aims to strengthen the LSA community as a united college, support effective College operations, and advance key priorities. 

We are looking for candidates willing to work a hybrid work schedule with four days onsite and the opportunity for one day of remote work per week.

Who We Are

LSA is the largest and one of the oldest of the university's 19 schools and colleges, with more than 100 degree programs in over 75 academic departments and programs. Learn more about LSA at https://lsa.umich.edu. We strive to employ a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse people of Michigan, fulfill our mission, vision, and values, and sustain the excellence of LSA.

Why Work at Michigan?

We are so proud that the University of Michigan offers comprehensive benefits to support your wellness as you plan for a stable and secure future. To enhance a career filled with purpose and opportunity, other benefits include:

Generous time off programs.Our retirement plan provides two-for-one matching contributions.Comprehensive options for health, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance.Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses.Tuition support, including the ability to take undergraduate courses in LSA at no cost.Meeting-free days and communication norms that help you to "unplug" from work.Access to deals, discounts, and attractions; see Uniquely Michigan for details.

While you will primarily work from our central campus in Ann Arbor, LSA offers flexible work options. To support work-life balance, LSA has an email policy that limits non-essential emails to weekday business hours. We invite you to take a look at LSAs mission, vision, and values.

Responsibilities*Serve as a direct report to the Dean and member of the Dean's cabinet; provide strategic counsel to the Dean, the Dean's leadership team, as well as faculty and administrative leaders on all aspects of communications and marketing.Provide strategic leadership and coordination of the Dean's communications and all executive communications.Develop strategic, integrated communications and marketing plans that reflect the strategic goals of LSA and clearly articulate the mission, vision, and values of the College and of liberal arts and sciences education. Lead implementation and continual evaluation and evolution of these strategic plans. Lead and direct the Marketing and Communications unit in service to the College as a whole and its constituent academic and administrative units. Direct the development and implementation of specific strategies and plans for communicating with internal audiences, LSA students, faculty, and staff to inform, engage, and strengthen the LSA community, foster commitment to LSA's mission, and build trust and pride in the College. Guide and foster the development of effective, collaborative relationships between M&C and academic and administrative units across the College, including with LSA's distributed communications and marketing staff members. Oversee, advise, and support the execution of high-quality marketing and communications, both directly and in partnership with relevant administrative and academic units that advance objectives in such areas as student recruitment, support, and success; fundraising and alumni/donor engagement; executive communications; and brand visibility, clarity, health, and affinity.Provide proactive counsel and direction for LSA and its leaders on issues management, coordinating closely with the Dean and others responsible for internal and executive communications to advance effective and timely issues-related communications.Lead LSA's crisis and emergency response communications strategy and execution, in collaboration with College leadership and University communications leaders. Position LSA as the nation's leading liberal arts and sciences college and as a prominent, influential advocate for liberal arts education and scholarship, conveying the value and impact on society. Serve as chief liaison to University communications leadership and foster effective collaborations and trusted partnerships with the Office of the Vice President for Communications and its teams in media relations, public affairs, and marketing and brand.Serve as the direct supervisor to Marketing and Communications team leaders and support their professional development and management of staff in the unit.Required Qualifications*At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience developing and leading strategic communications and marketing functions in a large, complex organization; experience in a higher education institution is highly desiredAt least 3 years supporting executive-level leadership/leaderDemonstrated success in developing, implementing, and evaluating integrated communications and marketing strategic plansOutstanding abilities to collaborate with diverse teams, advise leaders and colleagues, and influence positive outcomesExcellent writing, editing, speaking, and presentation skillsDemonstrated expertise and deep knowledge of best practices in a wide variety of communications channels and tacticsUnimpeachable judgment and trustworthiness; ability to use discretion and maintain confidentialityProven success as a supervisor and leader of individuals and teams; experience leading change management, building community, and inspiring individuals in advancing an organization's missionExperience in effective budget development and managementA bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field is desirableModes 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 the work modes.

Additional Information

As one of the world's great liberal arts colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.

  

To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision.

 

Mission Statement

 

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

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.