"Alerted.org

Communications Specialist

How to Apply

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, outline your relevant skills and experience, and it mustinclude links to **three writing samples in your cover letter.**

This is a full time, term-limited position ending after three (3) years from the hire date and is eligible for UM benefits. Before the end of the term limit, it could be considered for a term extension or for transition to an open-ended position.

This is a hybrid role requiring at least 2 days per week in office.

To be considered you must be eligible to work in the United States without requiring university sponsorship for continued employment.

TheOffice of University Development (https://giving.umich.edu/um/about) maximizes private support for the University of Michigan.

Job Summary

You will coordinate communications activities of our Marketing and Communications department in the Office of University Development (OUD) by planning, researching, writing, and editing feature stories and other content to raise awareness about the impact of philanthropy at U-M; provide stewardship to donors; foster communications within our university-wide Development Community; promote fundraising across a variety of communications channels; and help develop strategy. Provide different communications support to our development colleagues at U-M.

**Reports to** : Director of Communications

Why Work at Michigan?

Benefits at the University of 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 paid time off for vacations, holidays, sick time, season days, and paid parental leave

+ A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting

+ Many choices for comprehensive health insurance

+ Dental and vision insurance

+ Life insurance

+ Long-term disability coverage

+ Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Responsibilities*

Storytelling and editing for Leaders & Best channels (35%)

+ Write articles of multiple lengths and subjects for Leaders & Best storytelling channels including Leaders & Best Magazine, Leaders & Best e-newsletter, Michigan Giving Stories & News page.

+ Focus on long-form storytelling, develop feature articles after reporting, research, and interviewing sources, often university leadership, including deans, directors, and other leaders, and prominent donors.

+ Collaborate with our Communications and Creative Services teams in Marketing and Communications to determine strategic direction of Leaders & Best communications

+ Collaborate with our colleagues across campus to gather and develop story ideas

+ Edit and proofread content for Leaders & Best storytelling channels

+ Work with our video team on scripting, copy for lower thirds, proofreading, and other editorial assistance.

Fundraising and partner communications (20%)

+ Work with our OUD partner teams to create outreach and other collateral materials, provide editorial assistance and guidance, and more.

+ Write and copy edit annual giving solicitations

+ Edit donor impact reports and multiple stewardship communications

+ Collaborate with gift officers to research and write fundraising proposals and cases for support

+ Write copy for Giving Tuesday and Giving Blueday

Digital content (20%)

+ Develop a wide range of copy for website including brief, marketing-style copy to longer webpage copy for Michigan Giving website

+ Research stories to be featured on website for select digital marketing campaigns

+ Develop, research, and write other digital communications copy

Marketing and branding campaigns and events (15%)

+ Work with creative services, developing copy for a range of marketing and branding deliverables including advertising, flyers, posters, environmental signage (banners, digital signs, table tents, etc.)

+ Work event materials including invitations, event print materials, and others

Executive and internal communications (5%) and Miscellaneous communications responsibilities (5%)

**For the full and detailed job description, please** click here (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1M7cq--hEAwilVbZeWI9a4ncAjoWir0vUwYifwc8icGw/export?format=pdf) **.

Required Qualifications*

+ 3+ years of writing experience in PR, communications or related field

+ 4 years professional experience or a Bachelor's degree

+ Excellent written, verbal communication and interpersonal skills

+ Proofreading skills; excellent spelling, grammar and punctuation

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

Exciting News: We're Moving!

Join our team at our brand-new location, Michigan House, starting in March! You'll find us at 2301 Commonwealth Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.

For additional information about this position and to review other current openings in Development, please visit our website at: https://giving.umich.edu/um/careers

Application Deadline

Although the Posting End Date may indicate otherwise, this job may be filled and closed any time after a posting duration of seven calendar days.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Job Detail

Job Opening ID

271091

Working Title

Communications Specialist

Job Title

Communications Specialist

Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

Modes of Work

Onsite

Hybrid

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

Vp For Development

Department

OUD Marketing

Posting Begin/End Date

12/02/2025 - 12/12/2025

Salary

$67,000.00 - $70,000.00

Career Interest

Communications & Marketing

Development/Institutional Advancement