Director of Communications & Digital Str / Sr. Communications & Marketing Officer/S

Working/Functional Title

Director of Communications & Digital Str

Position Summary

Michigan State University Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive organization, which requires all staff to contribute towards a vision for success. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to our work, regardless of title or position within the organization. This means that all staff at MSU Extension are dedicated to the following:

• We work together to ensure that programming is delivered to diverse audiences, produces equitable impacts for all participants, and demonstrates partnership and inclusion for all groups.
• We embrace that it is everyone’s job to create a culture that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• We ensure that every team member is prepared with the skills and resources to contribute to our welcoming and inclusive culture.
• We foster inclusion by recognizing and valuing diverse perspectives, skills, experiences, and work to create equal access to programming for communities.
• We commit to continuous learning for diversity, equity, and cultural competency, in order to achieve inclusive excellence.
• We understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential elements to our work and are vital to the organizational culture and programmatic success of MSU Extension.
• We embrace a culture of understanding, coaching and feedback towards achieving a vision of success for the entire organization and its staff.
• Together we will achieve success and we commit to these goals in our work, continued education, and ongoing efforts.  

 

POSITION SUMMARY

Directs overall communications and marketing strategies for MSU Extension and its institutes to external and internal audiences and stakeholders including content and assets development around research, teaching and outreach activities; brand use; web design; graphic design; photography and videography; social media; event marketing; public relations; marketing, and advertising; and production processes and services (digital and print). Participates with MSU Extension leadership in the development of reputation-building initiatives and strategic approaches.

 

MSU Extension (MSUE) is a large and complex unit with more than 600 employees in 83 counties spread across the upper and lower peninsula of Michigan. MSU Extension is the university’s community outreach organization, linking people across the state to the vast knowledge and resources of MSU.

 

MSU Extension seeks a Director of Communications and Digital Strategy to lead and oversee comprehensive communication and digital strategies that enhance and elevate the organization’s reputation, visibility, and impact. This senior-level role focuses on strategic planning, digital innovation, and content management, with a strong emphasis on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) platforms and data-driven decision-making to align with organizational goals and strategic initiatives. This position will work closely with MSU Extension leadership, organizational teams, stakeholders, and university-wide communications partners to align communication and digital efforts with organizational priorities and goals. This position is integral to advancing MSU Extension’s strategic direction, ensuring alignment across the organization, and maintaining its position as a leader in communications and digital strategy.

 

Working as the Director of Communications and Digital Strategy, you will develop and implement communication plans and strategies to support leadership and organizational priorities. You will advise leadership on communication strategies, including the development of key messages, presentations, and other materials that align with organizational goals. The ability to lead a cross-functional communications team that is responsible for strategic and multifaceted communications strategies that enhance MSU Extension’s mission is critical to your success. You will also collaborate with the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) communications team and university communications team to align MSU Extension efforts with broader college and university initiatives.

 

You will be responsible for the day-to-day oversight and leadership of communications and digital initiatives that significantly influence MSU Extension’s success. This includes participation in strategic communications planning, development and implementation, alignment of internal strategies with institutional goals, and representation at university-level meetings. Additionally, you will also determine and execute priorities for stakeholder engagement and internal communications.

 

Your success in this position requires proven