Communications Specialist

Job Summary

The Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR) is seeking a creative, collaborative, and detail-oriented Communications Specialist to support communications, design, storytelling, and engagement efforts across the institute. Working with the Communications Manager and other team members, the Communications Specialist will play an important role in sharing MICHR?s impact with a variety of stakeholders. They will support internal and external communications that promote alignment, awareness, and engagement.

The ideal candidate is a strong writer and editor who works well as part of a team and can translate complex information into clear, compelling content for a variety of audiences and channels. The ideal candidate will also have experience with design software like the Adobe Suite and Canva, as well as experience with website management in Word Press or a similar program.

This position requires strong organizational skills, sound judgment, curiosity, and the ability to manage multiple projects.

MICHR is the home of the University of Michigan?s Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). MICHR is part of a national, collaborative consortium that is focused on bringing more health solutions to all people more quickly by advancing translational science. The field of translational science aims to build an evidence base of scientific and operational approaches that improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of translational research across a range of diseases and conditions.

MICHR has the unique charge of examining the translational research ecosystem at a systems level to determine where common pitfalls exist; developing novel solutions to these challenges; demonstrating their effectiveness; and disseminating improvements widely. MICHR is a dynamic organization that serves as a hub of innovation and experimentation to advance research in the science of translation and accelerate the realization of interventions that improve human health.

• Follow existing style guides and examples to write and maintain communications content for various delivery methods, including the MICHR website, newsletters, emails, social media, reports, presentations, and other channels.
• Translate scientific, clinical, and administrative information into accessible language.
• Capture event highlights through written summaries, photos, quotes, and other content as appropriate.

• Apply established logos, typography, color palettes, templates, and brand guidelines from Michigan Medicine and MICHR to new projects.
• Adapt approved designs and content for different formats, audiences, and communications channels.
• Populate, update, and assist with the layout of established templates, including presentations, reports, visual abstracts, and other recurring materials.
• Prepare, organize, and package files and assets for print, digital production, and project handoff.
• Make text, color, image, and layout updates based on feedback and direction from senior designers, communications leads, or clients.

• Support content updates and maintenance for MICHR?s website and related digital platforms.
• Apply existing editorial, brand, and accessibility guidelines to create and schedule social media content that aligns with MICHR priorities and Michigan Medicine branding standards.
• Assist with email marketing campaigns, newsletters, event promotions, and audience segmentation as needed.

• Contribute to communications calendars, project timelines, and coordination of deliverables.
• Gather, organize, and track content, feedback, approvals, files, and other assets needed to complete communications deliverables.
• Support handoffs between content development, design, review, production, and distribution.
• Maintain organized project files, templates, shared assets, and documentation so materials can be updated and reused efficiently.
• Work closely with the communications team and other colleagues and partners across U-M
• Manage multiple assignments simultaneously while meeting deadlines and maintaining attention to detail.
• Perform other communications-related duties as assigned.

• Help ensure consistent messaging, tone, branding, and visual identity across MICHR communications.
• Identify appropriate delivery methods, including presentations, targeted email, printed documents, and web…