Working/Functional Title

Director of Communications & Digital Str

Position Summary

Michigan State University Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive organization, which requires all staff to contribute towards a vision for success. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to our work, regardless of title or position within the organization. This means that all staff at MSU Extension are dedicated to the following:

• We work together to ensure that programming is delivered to diverse audiences, produces equitable impacts for all participants, and demonstrates partnership and inclusion for all groups.
• We embrace that it is everyone’s job to create a culture that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• We ensure that every team member is prepared with the skills and resources to contribute to our welcoming and inclusive culture.
• We foster inclusion by recognizing and valuing diverse perspectives, skills, experiences, and work to create equal access to programming for communities.
• We commit to continuous learning for diversity, equity, and cultural competency, in order to achieve inclusive excellence.
• We understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential elements to our work and are vital to the organizational culture and programmatic success of MSU Extension.
• We embrace a culture of understanding, coaching and feedback towards achieving a vision of success for the entire organization and its staff.
• Together we will achieve success and we commit to these goals in our work, continued education, and ongoing efforts.  

POSITION SUMMARY

Directs overall communications and marketing strategies for MSU Extension and its institutes to external and internal audiences and stakeholders including content and assets development around research, teaching and outreach activities; brand use; web design; graphic design; photography and videography; social media; event marketing; public relations; marketing, and advertising; and production processes and services (digital and print). Participates with MSU Extension leadership in the development of reputation-building initiatives and strategic approaches.

MSU Extension (MSUE) is a large and complex unit with more than 600 employees in 83 counties spread across the upper and lower peninsula of Michigan. MSU Extension is the university’s community outreach organization, linking people across the state to the vast knowledge and resources of MSU.

MSU Extension seeks a Director of Communications and Digital Strategy to lead and oversee comprehensive communication and digital strategies that enhance and elevate the organization’s reputation, visibility, and impact. This senior-level role focuses on strategic planning, digital innovation, and content management, with a strong emphasis on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) platforms and data-driven decision-making to align with organizational goals and strategic initiatives. This position will work closely with MSU Extension leadership, organizational teams, stakeholders, and university-wide communications partners to align communication and digital efforts with organizational priorities and goals. This position is integral to advancing MSU Extension’s strategic direction, ensuring alignment across the organization, and maintaining its position as a leader in communications and digital strategy.

Working as the Director of Communications and Digital Strategy, you will develop and implement communication plans and strategies to support leadership and organizational priorities. You will advise leadership on communication strategies, including the development of key messages, presentations, and other materials that align with organizational goals. The ability to lead a cross-functional communications team that is responsible for strategic and multifaceted communications strategies that enhance MSU Extension’s mission is critical to your success. You will also collaborate with the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) communications team and university communications team to align MSU Extension efforts with broader college and university initiatives.

You will be responsible for the day-to-day oversight and leadership of communications and digital initiatives that significantly influence MSU Extension’s success. This includes participation in strategic communications planning, development and implementation, alignment of internal strategies with institutional goals, and representation at university-level meetings. Additionally, you will also determine and execute priorities for stakeholder engagement and internal communications.

Your success in this position requires proven expertise in leadership, proactive decision-making, project management and delegation, coupled with a strong ability to foster collaboration, implement high-quality and innovative communication strategies, and leverage digital innovation, AI platforms, and data-driven decision-making.

Although negotiable, there will be space available for this position to work from the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan.

This position may be eligible to utilize a flexible work environment, however, there is an expectation to work from a MSU Extension office. The needs, responsibilities, and opportunities of an individual’s position and office location drive the ability and amount of work-location flexibility.

Characteristic Duties/Responsibilities

• Direct the overall communications and marketing strategies for the MSU Extension director’s office, institutes, and programs within the organization.
• Manage college-level news/information and public relations initiatives to ensure internal and external messaging is beneficial to MSU Extension, the college, affiliated institutes, the university, and its stakeholders.
• Coordinate content development for MSU Extension or client communication materials, working with designers, writers, editors, photographers, videographers, and other creative team members.
• Oversee all functions of MSU Extension communication including budget, staffing publications, news, marketing, and production, all aimed at driving reputation, awareness, and engagement of MSU Extension’s key audiences.
• Conceptualize marketing materials and write and/or edit as needed to support development of these materials in print and digital media.
• Serve as divisional spokesperson.
• Facilitate alignment of university and MSU Extension-level communications/content plans with affiliated institutes.
• Establish brand and communications standards to be used by MSU Extension and affiliated institutes to ensure consistency in brand use and messaging efforts.
• Provide communications training for institute communicators and managers.
• Maintain knowledge of institute markets, competitive situations, and trends.
• Maintain knowledge of technology trends and recommend implementation to enhance communication and user experiences.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications and digital strategy aligned with the operational goals and strategic initiatives of MSU Extension.
• Work closely with the MSU Extension Director and Associate Directors to identify, prioritize, and address ongoing communication needs, ensuring that messaging is consistent, strategic, and aligned with the organization’s goals.
• Develop and manage key messages and presentations for the Director and Associate Directors, tailoring content to various internal and external audiences.
• Provide strategic communication counsel to the Director, Associate Directors, and Director of Public Relations to advise on communication approaches for key initiatives, organizational changes, and stakeholder engagement.
• Provide direction to the communications team, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee the development and implementation of high-quality, engaging communication content and products for various digital platforms, including websites, social media, newsletters, and other communications channels.
• Ensure that all content aligns with MSU Extension's mission and effectively communicates its value to diverse audiences.
• Works with organizational leaders and communication team to identify and understand goals and establish priorities to deliver successful communication solutions.
• Establish and manage an editorial calendar to ensure consistent and timely delivery of content across all channels, with the integration of AI tools for efficiency.
• Oversee the management and continuous improvement of MSU Extension’s digital platforms, ensuring a user-friendly and accessible experience.
• Identify and leverage AI platforms to enhance communication and digital strategies, including content creation, audience engagement, and data analysis.
• Stay informed on emerging AI trends and technologies, recommending and implementing AI-driven solutions to optimize digital communication efforts.
• Provide or facilitate training and development opportunities to enhance the skills and competencies of the communications team.
• Represent MSU Extension at conferences, meetings, and events, serving as a key ambassador for the organization.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Minimum Requirements

• Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, digital communications or marketing, or related field.
• Five to eight years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in communications, including marketing, media relations, crisis communications management and strategic planning.
• Demonstrated leadership and project management skills.
• Management and supervisory experience.
• This position requires or will require prior to the completion of the probationary period: knowledge of basic personal computer terminology and operations, and the ability to use e-mail and the internet.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, digital communications, or a related field.
• Seven to ten years of experience in communications, digital strategy, or a related role, with at least five years in a leadership position.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships intra- and inter-organizationally.
• Proven experience in developing and/or implementing and executing digital and communications strategies.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a strong ability to work across units, departments, and teams, serving in both leadership and contributor roles.
• Proven supervisory experience in a marketing and communications setting.
• Understanding of digital marketing trends, SEO principles, social media algorithms, and AI platforms.
• Experience with digital marketing tools, such as Google Ads and Google Analytics; certifications (such as GAIQ) are strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in content creation tools, content management systems, and graphic design software, including Adobe Creative Suite.
• Strong writing, proofreading, and editing skills.
• Knowledge of MSU Extension programs and services.
• Proven ability in establishing and working with a diverse network of constituents and community members across race, color, gender, national origin, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, veteran status, socioeconomic class, and other differences.
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity, knowledge, and use of appropriate approaches, skills, and techniques, which reflect an understanding and awareness of social, cultural, and economic diversity of the target population.
• Understanding of and ability to implement Civil Rights principles and compliance standards.
• Other skills and/or physical abilities required to perform duties of the position.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Current resume/CV.

Cover letter.

Four (4) professional references including two (2) current or previous supervisors.

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Website

https://youtu.be/KjG34cLt9a8

Bidding eligibility ends April 1, 2025, 11:55 PM