Marketing & Communications Manager

About The Job

The Marketing & Communications Manager serves as a senior individual contributor responsible for guiding communications, marketing, and storytelling initiatives in support of UMAA programs and services. This role provides writing and editorial expertise as well as project management and creation of digital and print communications that strengthen alumni connection, participation, and affinity with the Alumni Association and five University of Minnesota campuses.

Crucially, this role will integrate brand stewardship, effective messaging, and campaign execution to ensure cohesive, high-impact storytelling in support of programs and services.

This position reports to the Senior Director of Alumni Communications at the Alumni Association.

• Serve as the primary marketing and communications strategist for UMAA’s programs and services, aligning initiatives with audience and organizational priorities and goals.
• Develop and execute integrated marketing and communications plans that articulate clear value propositions, compelling messaging, and defined target audiences.
• Identify and deploy appropriate channels and tactics to address business objectives and engagement challenges.
• Provide leadership in audience segmentation, positioning, and message architecture to maximize impact.
• Establish measurable goals and performance metrics for campaigns; monitor effectiveness and recommend optimizations.
• Identify barriers to achieving objectives and proactively recommend solutions.
• Ensure campaigns are executed cohesively from strategy through delivery, maintaining consistency in voice and brand standards.
• Partner across internal teams and external collaborators to ensure alignment and effective implementation.
• Contribute to broader organizational marketing and communications strategy discussions.

• Shape and execute alumni storytelling initiatives that reinforce the Alumni Association’s mission and impact across the five campuses of the University of Minnesota.
• Translate complex initiatives into clear, compelling, audience-centered narratives and calls to action across print and digital platforms.
• Write, edit, and proofread high-quality communications materials for accuracy, clarity, tone, editorial standards, and brand alignment.
• Develop content for sections of Minnesota Alumni magazine.

• Represent UMAA at select events, serving as an engaged and informed ambassador for the alumni community and gathering communications assets for use in current and future promotions.
• Contribute to special projects and cross-functional initiatives that advance UMAA’s mission, enhance the alumni experience, and/or improve internal systems and operations.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or related field.
• Minimum of four years of professional marketing and communications experience.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills across multiple platforms.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Collaboration:
  
  must demonstrate exceptional teamwork and a consistent collaborative spirit as a member of the communications team and provide backup as needed.
• Experience in a professional setting with high standards for quality, accountability, and service.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple priorities, solve problems, and follow through with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with a positive, customer-focused approach.
• Proven track record of taking initiative, improving systems or workflows, and anticipating needs without constant direction.
• Committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming environment and handling sensitive information with integrity and discretion.

• Eight or more years of professional experience in marketing and communications.
• Supervisory or mentoring experience, especially of students or part-time staff.
• Familiarity with Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Calendar).
• Experience with customer relationship management (CRM) systems or…