Social Media and Marketing Writer

The Writer is an integral part of the university's Communications Team, finding and telling the stories of our students, faculty, staff, leadership and alumni for Reporter (our twice‑weekly faculty/staff e‑news) and our News site, as well as for specific departments and units. We welcome applications from like‑minded writers, with clips to demonstrate.

The Writer will report to the Director of Communications and be part of a team of committed and creative professionals: a Senior Writer/Managing Editor, a Digital Media Manager and a Photographer. The Communications Team is part of the Office of External Relations, which also includes the Marketing, Web Services and Government Relations teams. The Writer must have demonstrated talents for producing high‑quality written work on deadline, gathering complex information and translating it clearly and accurately for a variety of audiences, synthesizing feedback from multiple sources, and producing content that is engaging, easily understood and can be used across platforms. A successful candidate will be self‑motivated, curious, flexible, versatile, highly collaborative, deadline‑ and detail‑oriented, and an excellent time manager.

This position covers the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the College of Education, Health and Human Services, in addition to general university news. Accordingly, we are especially interested in hearing from writers who are well‑versed in faculty research, engineering, computer science, health and human services, and/or education, while also able to cover other topics. Writers who demonstrate an ability to quickly learn about these areas will also make strong candidates. Professional journalism experience and/or experience storytelling for higher education strongly preferred.

edu/news to learn more about the types of stories we cover and our storytelling approach.

Regularly identify, pitch and write stories about the work of UM‑Dearborn faculty, staff, students, leadership and alumni, including faculty and student research, academic projects, university programs and initiatives, student support programs and profile pieces

Shepherd the story approval process: review the story with sources to ensure accuracy, clarify information as needed, secure any necessary additional approvals and respond to edits from the Reporter editor (Director of Communications), while meeting deadlines

Events, Good News, Good to Know (brief campus updates)

Post stories and images to the News website

Assist the Marketing Communications Coordinator (a member of the Marketing Team) in preparing the twice‑weekly e‑news and serve as backup for this duty when needed

Along with other team members, carefully proof the e‑news before publication

Brainstorm and coordinate social media content with the Digital Media Manager

Support special projects with units across campus, including Institutional Advancement, Marketing and Office of Research

A bachelor's degree and a minimum of five years professional writing experience, ideally as a journalist and/or university communicator. Outstanding writing, proofreading and editing skills with a proven ability to create content that engages a variety of audiences

Proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Proficiency with website content management systems and e‑newsletter platforms

Comfort with digital platforms and self‑motivation in learning new tools/techniques and troubleshooting

Openness to constructive edits and feedback, and willingness/ability to provide constructive edits and feedback to others

Ability and willingness to use discretion and diplomacy when dealing with confidential or sensitive information or situations

Must be self‑motivated, curious, flexible, versatile, highly collaborative, deadline‑ and detail‑oriented, and an excellent time manager

Familiarity with Canva and/or basic photo editing software

Ability to recognize media outreach opportunities

Ability to work with a videographer to produce video stories

Ability to script short videos and/or contribute to collaborative scriptwriting and brainstorming on short video content

The University of Michigan‑Dearborn is a vibrant and diverse community, centrally located within one of America's largest business regions. In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, the University of Michigan‑Dearborn offers a comprehensive benefits package, effective on your first day to help you and your family stay well, and plan for a secure future. A retirement plan that provides two‑for‑one matching contributions after 12 months of eligible service

Many choices for comprehensive health insurance, along with prescription drug plan

Life Insurance

Long‑term disability coverage

Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Employees may be eligible for tuition reimbursement. Learn more about the tuition reimbursement policy.

Eligible UM‑Dearborn dependents may receive a 50% tuition and fees scholarship towards undergraduate courses. Learn more about the Dependent Tuition Scholarship from the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships webpage.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. The writer will be expected to work a minimum of three days per week on a regular schedule, to be determined with the supervisor. A four or five day schedule is preferred and may be required during busy times of the academic year. Only local candidates and those willing and able to work a hybrid schedule (not fully remote) will be considered for this position.

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