Communication Lead

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How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. Applications receiving serious consideration will include a cover letter that clearly addresses the applicant's interest in the position and that specifically relates the skills and experience that are relevant to the qualifications described in this posting.

Job Summary

The Data Science for Dynamic Intervention Decision-making Center (d3c) seeks a Communication Lead to direct all communication activities of the Center. This includes developing and managing the execution of a strategy for disseminating the scientific products developed by d3c faculty, which are used by scientists, clinicians, educators, and policymakers to improve health outcomes. To advance this dissemination strategy, the Communication Lead will develop, implement, and continuously improve a strategy to meet the Center's grant-based commitments to disseminate a variety of tools through the d3c website, virtual and in-person events, and training institutes.

d3c is an interdisciplinary collective of data scientists revolutionizing the design and delivery of interventions in healthcare and education. d3c strives to cultivate a bottom-up, interactive, team-oriented workplace that values, above all else, how people work together in the service of developing and disseminating novel data science tools that matter. As we develop the methodological toolkit scientists need to address today's biggest public health challenges, we're building an open-source ecosystem for sharing our tools and collaborating with and training scientific partners to implement our methodology to solve real-world problems. Through partnerships with stakeholders around the world, we will catalyze a new generation of evidence-based, technology-powered treatments that improve health outcomes for everyone. The Communication Lead will help us forge these partnerships and get our tools into the right hands.

Responsibilities*

1. Content Creation & Editorial Oversight

• Serve as the primary copy editor and steward of brand standards for all public-facing dissemination materials
• Write and produce a wide range of high-level materials-including press releases, blog posts, newsletter articles, web copy, development two-pagers, and tool summaries tailored to distinct stakeholder audiences.
• Translate complex data science frameworks and behavioral methodology into highly accessible, engaging narratives.

2. Public Relations & Digital Footprint

• Serve as the primary liaison between d3c, the ISR Communications office, and other University of Michigan news or media outlets.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with university media relations, external press outlets, and partner organizations to maximize research coverage.
• Oversee the social media strategy across key platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, X/Twitter, YouTube) to expand the Center's digital footprint and foster online scientific communities.
• Track, analyze, and leverage digital engagement metrics to optimize campaign performance, and audience growth.
• Oversee daily maintenance and strategic structural refinements of the Center's website, as well as various offshoot websites, as the primary webmaster.

Required Qualifications*

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, English, Journalism, Information/Social Science, or a related field.
• Experience: Three (3) or more years of progressive experience in science journalism, scientific communications, science writing, or science education.
• Project Leadership: Demonstrated experience collaborating with colleagues to drive workflow priorities, and see complex, multi-stakeholder projects through to completion.
• Strategy: A proven track record of developing, executing, and adapting communications strategies for highly technical or academic concepts.
• Digital Proficiency: Familiarity with Content Management Systems (e.g., WordPress) and social media management suites.
• Experience with graphic design and multimedia tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite).
• Communication Skills: Superior written and verbal communication skills; exceptional attention to detail with proven copy editing capability (familiarity with standard writing conventions and style guides).
• Work Style: Self-motivated and self-directed capacity to thrive in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary, team-oriented environment.

Desired Qualifications*

• Master's degree in a relevant field.
• Demonstrated passion for or interest in translating the language of data science and behavioral interventions into prose and/or images that educate, inform, inspire or illuminate.
• Interest in behavioral interventions science and/or demonstrated curiosity to learn new data science concepts.

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 the work modes.

Work Locations

This position will be hybrid at the University of Michigan offices in Ann Arbor, with flexible and/or remote opportunities made available within our overall Center policies.

Additional Information

The Institute for Social Research (ISR) at the University of Michigan seeks to create a community of respect and authentic collaboration by recruiting and retaining individuals that represent a variety of voices as a reflection of our commitment to serve the people of Michigan, to maintain the excellence of the university, and to ground our research in varied disciplines, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning.

Benefits

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 any eligible family members, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include generous time off, multiple choices for health insurance, flexible spending accounts, and more. See https://hr.umich.edu/benefits-wellness.

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

Institute for Social Research job openings are posted for a minimum of fourteen (14) calendar days. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.