How to Apply

A cover letter and writing sample are 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 skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Summary

The Department of Aerospace Engineering (Aero) seeks an experienced, full-time Communications & Strategic Initiatives Manager to provide high-level support to the Aero Chair regarding department strategic initiatives, as well as lead the communication activities of the department. This position reports to the Chair and manages a full-time designer and part-time writer.

Working closely under the direction of the Chair, you will develop and implement strategic activities, events, projects, programs and communication plans for advancing the Department's strategic mission. Areas of focus include, but are not limited to, alumni and Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) member relations and engagement; department reputation; degree program rankings and recruitment; the student experience; increasing partnerships and collaborations with other disciplines, researchers and industry; and department DEI and climate.

The ideal candidate will have exceptional project management and communication skills, be innovative, collaborative, pragmatic, highly organized and accurate, skilled at building and nurturing professional partnerships, adept at utilizing data systems and technology, self-directed and have a strong work ethic.

They will have both a big picture/strategic perspective and ability to apply analytical, tactical problem-solving, and organization skills to excel in managing the day-to-day details and responsibilities of the position. They will need to interact and work effectively with Aero students, faculty and staff, other departments in the College of Engineering and the University, as well as external organizations of interest to the Department.

Who We Are

The University of Michigan's Department of Aerospace Engineering is the first collegiate aeronautics program in the United States started in 1914, with more than 6,000 aerospace engineers who graduated over the past 100 years. We currently have 24 staff members, 30 tenured and tenure-track faculty members, 522 undergraduate and 269 graduate students. The Department of Aerospace Engineering is committed to excellence, leadership, and collaboration in research and education; to service-based leadership at the Institute, national, and international levels; to a passion for air and space vehicles and systems, the technologies that enable them, and the missions they fulfill; and finally, to the personal and professional development of its faculty, staff, and students.

Our strategic plan is to foster a culture of innovation in education and research to enable the creation of ideas, knowledge, and practices that will revolutionize aerospace engineering for the benefit of society. Click here to view our five year vision for the future of Aerospace at the University of Michigan.

Michigan Engineers are world-class educators, researchers, students, and staff who strive to build a people-first future. As part of the nation's number one public research institution, Michigan Engineering's mission is to provide scientific and technological leadership to the people of the world, develop intellectually curious and socially conscious minds, create collaborative solutions to societal problems, and promote an inclusive and innovative community of service for the common good.

Our vision, mission and values are supported by a people-first engineering framework that guides our work. As Michigan Engineers, we strive to apply excellent engineering fundamentals, integrated expertise, and equity-centered values to reimagine what engineering can be, close critical gaps, and elevate all people. Information about our vision, mission and values can be found at: http://strategicvision.engin.umich.edu/.

The University of Michigan has a storied legacy of commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Michigan Engineering models that commitment in our research, culture, and collaborations. We seek to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of that commitment. Learn more about DEI at Michigan Engineering: https://www.engin.umich.edu/culture/diversity-equity-inclusion/

Why Work at Michigan?

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
• 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
• Maternity and Parental Leave

Responsibilities*

Support for Chair's Strategic Initiatives - 60%

Research, propose, develop, and manage projects consistent with the department's strategic initiatives and in support of the Chair's strategic goals. 

Propose timely and reasonable event and project budgets, adhering to spending limits and policies. 

Participate and support strategic planning activities to advance the department's initiatives, including coordination of meeting agendas and minutes, and preparing and reviewing materials for discussion. 

Assist with various college-required processes and activities that have strategic implications for the department (e.g., the five-year internal and external review and the annual strategic budget meeting). 

Serve as the department point-of-contact for alumni and donors. 

Partner with the College's Development and Advancement Office on strategies to increase participation and deepen relationships and engagement. 

Assume other responsibilities as directed by the Chair and Department Administrator.  

Communications & Marketing - 40%

Provide guidance and formulate effective strategic communication plans to grow the department's visibility. 

Prepare speeches and other written communication for the Chair as needed. 

Strategically manage the content and platforms of all department communications.

In coordination with the college and university, develop crisis communication plans and draft written content for leadership review.  

Plan, prepare and disseminate publicity concerning the department through print, audio and visual communication media. Manage online promotional efforts and content creation for multiple platforms including websites and social media channels.

Identify story opportunities and write content to promote the department's educational and research activities and initiatives, including coverage in the national and international press.

Provide leadership and direct supervision to Aero communication staff and freelancers.

Serve as the liaison to the College Office of Communications & Marketing (C&M) and collaborate with C&M on press releases and story pitches to national and international media. 

Keep the Chair and Department Administrator appropriately and timely informed of important news and events that have the potential to impact the department and its stakeholders. 

Assume other responsibilities as directed by the Chair and Department Administrator.  

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, business, project management or a similarly relevant field. 
• Ability to work autonomously on multiple tactical and strategic initiatives with competing deadlines.
• Five or more years of professional, progressive experience in project management, public relations, journalism, communications and/or marketing. 
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing strategic plans/campaigns within an organization. 
• Experience providing high-level support to an upper-level manager/executive in an educational setting. 
• Experience supervising staff and/or leading work teams. 
• Demonstrated thorough knowledge and command of effective communication principles and exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent writing skills and experience creating stories for academic, technical or scientific content demonstrated through a portfolio of work. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience working effectively and collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders (e.g., students, faculty, staff, donors, alumni, members of internal and external communities). 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience working effectively and collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders (e.g., students, faculty, staff, donors, alumni, members of internal and external communities). 
• Demonstrated awareness and implementation of best practices in fostering diversity, equity and inclusion principles and working with diverse groups of people. 
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy and impeccable organizational skills.
• Demonstrated success in working in a fast-paced environment that requires flexibility and adaptability. Able to handle and be comfortable with ambiguity. 
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise strategic and critical thinking and make sound judgments.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise appropriate discretion and confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information. 
• Experience in exercising initiative within bounds of standard organizational practices and policies.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and adhere to reasonable project budgets.
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities and successfully handle multiple assignments and deadlines.
• High proficiency with computer technology including the MS suite and Adobe programs, Google Suite, and website and social media platforms. 
   

Desired Qualifications*

Knowledge of UM systems, environment, policies, and procedures.

Master's degree in communications, marketing, business, or a similarly relevant field. 

Seven or more years of professional, progressive experience in project management, public relations, communications, and/or marketing. 

Three or more years of experience supervising staff. 

Work Schedule

The Department of Aerospace Engineering operates in a hybrid work environment consisting of both in-person and remote work. This position will be classified as a FLEX position within the Michigan Engineering STARR classification matrix which means working on campus 2-3 days per week and working remotely the rest of the week. Special events may require higher presence on campus and/or travel. You can find more information here: https://rpm.engin.umich.edu/human-resources/telecommuting/

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/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.