Communications Director (Inst)

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

As Wisconsin’s only public urban research university, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has established an international reputation for excellence in research, community engagement, teaching, and entrepreneurism. Designated an R1 research institution, UWM educates 24,000 students and is an engine for innovation in southeastern Wisconsin.

Founded over 60 years ago in the belief that Milwaukee would need a great public university to become a great city, UWM has a dual research and access mission aimed at serving the diverse needs of Wisconsin’s largest metropolitan area by furthering opportunities at all levels for students who may be financially or educationally disadvantaged. More than one-third of its students are the first in their families to attend college, and 30 percent are students of color. In all, the university educates almost 24,000 students on its three campuses. It is the largest educator of veterans in Wisconsin, with more than 1,000 enrolled each year under the federal G.I. bill. The Princeton Review named UWM a 2018 Best Midwestern university based on overall academic excellence and student reviews.

UWM is committed to the full inclusion of LGBT+ campus constituents. In 2018, Campus Pride Index named UWM as one of the Best of the Best Top 30 LGBTQ-friendly postsecondary institutions in the United States. UWM was the first university in the UW-System to implement an inclusive housing policy.

http://www.uwm.edu

Position Details

Communications Director (Inst)
Job
Full-time
Office/WFH
100% remote
4/7/2023
Southeast Wisconsin
Milwaukee, WI

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) is Wisconsin’s second-largest university, with a unique dual mission of access and research to provide high-quality education for students from all backgrounds. UWM is one of 146 top research universities recognized as “R1” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Along with its main campus in Milwaukee, UWM has branch campuses in Waukesha and Washington County.

UWM celebrates, values and promotes the diverse voices and experiences of its students and employees and our community partners. We believe diversity enriches and strengthens our institution. UWM is committed to providing equitable access to opportunities for students and employees from every background. We aspire to create a campus climate that is welcoming to all. Learn more here.

The Division of Marketing & Communications builds the UWM brand by sharing stories of student and faculty success. We also foster enrollment and retention, support University Advancement, and help campus units tell their stories. Learn more here.

Job Summary:

The Communications Director is responsible for directing communications, strategic planning, and execution. This individual in this position provides approval and guidance for communications including staffing and budgetary planning in support of institutional communication goals. This individual oversees public relations, internal communications and executive communications at UWM, serves as institutional spokesperson when necessary, and implements and monitors public relations strategies and initiatives to increase the institutional engagement with a wide range of external stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, communications, public relations or related field 
  • Progressively responsible strategic experience working with a university, large organization, or government agency 
  • Superb written, editorial and oral communication skills required; the ability to write and speak clearly and concisely for various mediums 
  • Proven success working in rapid response and/or crisis scenarios in partnership with senior leaders 
  • Demonstrated project management expertise; ability to effectively manage multiple projects, prioritize, stay organized and meet deadlines 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated supervisory experience 
  • Proven success in developing and executing strategic communications programs with media relations 
  • Experience working and interacting with diverse populations 
  • Bilingual (written and verbally) 

Target Salary Range:

Salary will be determined by finalist's experience, training, education and equity-based factors.

Benefits and Total Rewards:

As part of UWM’s commitment to supporting the success of our team members through positive experiences, employees are provided with UWM Benefits to Benefit You and Your Life. UWM offers a comprehensive benefits package and contributes towards the cost of several benefit plans. Employees with a qualifying position also receive an extensive leave package including vacation, sick leave (with no expiration), personal holiday, and paid legal holidays.


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