Communications Specialist

Who We Are

The Demography of Aging, Disability and Care Program (DADC) in the Survey Research Center at the Institute for Social Research (ISR) conducts research focused on the consequences of population aging. The program provides leadership for several research projects including the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) and the Michigan Center on the Demography of Aging (MiCDA).

We are seeking a full-time Communications Specialist who will support the NHATS and MiCDA project teams by planning, crafting and coordinating outreach communications, event planning and coordination, and educational communications.

This is a two-year term limited position with the possibility of extension. An extension will be based on available funding and performance.

This position reports to the NHATS Director of Educational Outreach.

• Develop and implement plans for building audiences for outreach activities, including adherence to branding and style conventions
• Develop, post, and remediate as needed accessible website content in both Drupal and Word Press and track analytics
• Craft and manage distribution of newsletter(s) and other outreach communications tasks as assigned
• Build social media audiences and track analytics

• Plan and execute communications for external research conferences.
  • Responsibilities include working with vendors to design and request quotes for exhibit materials and developing lists of presentations to share via social media channels and project websites.
• Plan, organize, and manage communications-related logistics for in-house research events, including webinars, workshops and conferences.
  • Responsibilities include crafting invitations and sign ups, calendar holds, and pre- and post-event communications/evaluations; editing/posting and promoting videos; tracking event feedback.

• Develop and implement plans for building audiences for NHATS educational activities
• Coordinate with faculty, record and edit clips and videos
• Prepare research summaries and other educational material as assigned for website
• Track educational website/video analytics

• Bachelor's degree in communications or social science field
• Minimum of 2-3 years of communications experience
• Experience managing social media and website content, preferably using Wordpress and/or Drupal
• Experience with preparing reports using website and/or social media analytics
• Excellent skills in planning, prioritization and project management, including handling multiple, complex projects with varying deadlines
• Evidence of strong communication skills, including interpersonal communications
• Ability to work independently and as an effective team member
• Substantial experience with Microsoft Office, Google Suite and virtual meeting platforms (e.g., Zoom)

• Experience with video editing software
• Experience with creating and managing newsletters
• Demonstrated strength in communicating effectively with and building research audiences

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 location is expected to be onsite in Ann Arbor with flexibility for hybrid work within our overall Center guidelines.

The Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse 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.

• generous time off
• retirement plan with two-for-one matching contributions after the first year
• many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• life insurance
• long-term disability coverage
• flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

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.

Institute for Social…