OR&I Director of Communications / Senior Communications Manager/S

Working/Functional Title

OR&I Director of Communications

Position Summary

The Office of Research and Innovation (OR&I) supports MSU’s research enterprise by administering research funding, ensuring research integrity for both faculty and students, providing grant support services, fostering collaboration, licensing university inventions, and overseeing regulatory compliance.

OR&I currently seeks a senior level Director of Communications to lead the strategic communications efforts for this major administrative unit (MAU). This individual will develop, coordinate, and execute communication plans, initiatives, and strategies to support the research enterprise and elevate the research reputation of the University. The Director also advises members of the Leadership team on communications, and develops key messages, speeches and other materials that align with broader goals and initiatives.

The Director will lead the communications unit, a cross-functional team of communication professionals supporting strategic communication, events, and other initiatives related to the Office of Research and Innovation and its reporting units. The position reports to the Vice President for Research and Innovation and is a member of the leadership team.

This individual will represent and support the office by participating in strategic communication planning, aligning internal communication strategies to support goals and objectives of broad institutional initiatives, provide executive communication support, and represent the office in university-level meetings. Leadership, proactive decision-making, project management, and delegation are all skillsets that will be required for this position. The team this candidate will lead is trusted by all subunits of the office and across campus, brings added value to those they work with, and is focused on collaboration and proactive implementation to produce high-quality results for the units they serve.

Duties and Responsibilities

· Provides strategy, guidance, and execution for executive level communications for the Vice President and other Research and Innovation leadership team members

· Supports the Vice President and executive team with implementation of the unit and MSU strategic plans.

· Works with unit leaders and their teams to identify and understand goals and establish priorities to deliver successful communication solutions. Such content may include required compliance or training initiatives, promotion of events or services, or other announcements important to conducting research.

· Advances MSU’s central communications initiatives; coordinates and collaborates with University Communications and other central units.

· Develops, coordinates, and executes communications and marketing plans, initiatives, strategies, and activities to inform, educate, engage, and inspire action among MSU research faculty, staff, and students.

· Works with University Communications to cultivate communication opportunities for executive leadership and subject matter experts related to unit and university initiatives. · Collaborates with College communicators to curate research stories for amplification, and write research stories and announcements as needed for press releases, website content, etc.

· Directs execution of multi-channel communication plans including vendor and freelancer relationships, production management for communications and technical functions and coordination of asset placement.

· Oversees development and implementation of high-quality communication products including websites, annual reports, promotional emails, digital ads, social media content, podcasts, videos, and press releases, and various types of digital content for unit and university outlets (i.e., unit newsletters, MSUToday).

· Facilitates events that serve the overall goals for the MAU that could include conferences, convenings, research lectures, or training workshops, assists in all promotional activities, and supervises the event planning staff.

· Serves as a public information officer answering public requests and directing media inquiries to appropriate unit subject matter experts.

· Oversees team operations and team member productivity, building a highly inclusive culture that ensures team members thrive and organizational outcomes are met.

· Maintains awareness of university developments and standards, changes in dynamics, and other areas that that impact Research and Innovation and the units within it.

Impact on Programs/Services/Operations

Michigan State University faculty, staff, and students are involved in activities that, if publicized to constituents, can enhance the public image and build the reputation of the University. Implementation of a strategic communications plan regarding stories that enhanc