NIA DECC Communications Manager

About the Job
Are you a seasoned communications professional with a passion for promoting public health research? Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to design a communications strategy from scratch? If this sounds like you, we invite you to apply for the DECC Communications Manager opening. The National Institute on Aging Demography and Economics Coordinating Center (NIA DECC) supports innovative research across the country that advances knowledge of aging in demography, economics, and social science, including Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD). Located at the Institute for Social Research and Data Innovation (ISRDI), the NIA DECC helps the 16 NIA‑funded Demography and Economics of Aging (D&E) Centers around the country realize their full potential to generate impactful research, facilitate new and innovative collaborations, and broaden the community of scholars doing aging research.

As the DECC Communications Manager, you’ll lead the charge to build a comprehensive outreach strategy from the ground up. You will develop, implement, and evaluate the Center’s communications program with the guidance and support of the DECC Communications Leadership Team. Ensuring compliance with NIA requirements, you will manage the DECC website; produce and coordinate email, social media, and media relations; and plan and execute strategies to share cutting‑edge, timely research from the NIA Centers on the Demography and Economics of Aging, including developing a variety of outreach‑oriented products and tools.

You’ll thrive in this role if you:

Have a passion for effectively communicating scientific and health research

Appreciate roles where you get to orchestrate many moving parts

Love working with diverse stakeholders

Balance high‑level strategy with day‑to‑day execution

Responsibilities
Strategy and Planning (25%)

– Develop a strategic communications plan for the NIA DECC, working with the NIA DECC Co‑Directors, Communications Leadership Team, and NIA officials. Ensure that communications products meet program goals. Participate in the collection, review, and analysis of data with regard to research accessibility, effective science delivery, and outreach, evaluating the effectiveness of the communications program and products and revising approaches as warranted.

Dissemination (50%)

– Develop, design, and manage products to summarize research findings and publicize NIA DECC events and services. Work in consultation with NIA DECC Co‑Directors, NIA stakeholders and D&E Centers.

Newsletters

Develop a digital newsletter for the NIA DECC to highlight research findings and publicize events and services.

Develop a process to solicit and publish content from D&E Centers for the Newsletter.

Manage email distribution and use metrics to monitor readership and adjust content and distribution.

Research, write, and edit newsletter content.

Blog

Develop an NIA DECC Blog to highlight research, datasets, and opportunities related to NIA priority topics sponsored by the Centers.

Research, write, edit, and publish blog posts on topics relevant to NIA DECC.

Website

Work with ISRDI IT professionals and DECC Co‑Directors to manage the NIA DECC website.

Develop a process to solicit and publish content from D&E Centers on the NIA DECC website.

Provide day‑to‑day oversight and maintenance of the website, including development of new pages/functions and general content management.

Social Media

Establish and manage NIA DECC social media presence, determining best platforms for our purposes.

Conferences

Prepare print material and displays for conference exhibits.

Create swag.

Develop and execute an active social media strategy leading up to and during events.

Support poster design and development for research dissemination.

Other

Coordinate media relations and serve as point of contact for incoming media inquiries.

Develop and launch additional communications initiatives.

Support other NIA DECC activities (15%)

– Working with the NIA DECC team, help support additional events and services to D&E Centers.

Serve as a communications consultant for D&E Centers, including holding quarterly meetings with the Centers’ Communications Core Leads.

Participate in workshops to teach researchers how to write policy briefs.

Research, write, edit, and publish biannual research briefs on topics relevant to NIA DECC.

Support virtual and in‑person NIA DECC events, including webinars, conference exhibits, and workshops, working closely with NIA DECC Coordinator.

Support ISRDI Communications needs (10%)

– Work with the ISRDI Communications Coordinator and ISRDI leadership to support the Institute’s overall communications strategy and efforts.

Appointment Details

Pay Range:

$69,000 – $85,000 annually, depending on qualifications.

Work Location:

Hybrid or fully onsite work arrangements. The selected candidate must work from the ISRDI offices at least 2 days a week. ISRDI is located at 50 Willey Hall in Minneapolis, MN.

Travel:

Required travel 1–3 times per year.

Qualifications

Required:

B.A./B.S. plus four or more years of experience in a communications role, or a combination of related education and work experience equivalent to eight years.

Experience leading or relevant to leading a communications program, including developing, executing, and evaluating the effectiveness of plans, strategies, and tactics.

Experience building and executing a social media strategy.

Strong writing, editing, and design skills, lending yourself to creating a variety of content.

The competencies necessary to work effectively with distributed teams and with stakeholders who have diverse backgrounds, priorities, and perspectives.

Skill using various communications apps and tools, such as Google Suite, project management systems such as Basecamp, Adobe Creative Suite, Mailchimp and/or Salesforce Marketing Cloud, website content management systems, and social media management platforms.

Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and equity, and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.

Proven ability to express scientific concepts, research findings, or other complex subjects in engaging, accessible language.

An ability to move projects forward independently (but not in isolation) – setting priorities, communicating progress, and balancing different streams of work.

Preferred:

A professional background in a social science or health field related to the demographics and economics of aging (e.g., sociology, public health, gerontology, public affairs).

A professional background in science communication and/or outreach.

Demonstrated ability to engage stakeholders and to grow long‑term relationships with key partners and audiences.

About the Department
The Institute for Social Research and Data Innovation (ISRDI) is a university‑wide research institute that provides a vibrant and highly collaborative interdisciplinary research environment for four interrelated research centers (IPUMS, the Minnesota Population Center, the Life Course Center, and the Minnesota Research Data Center). ISRDI promotes a work‑life balance for our staff, offering 40‑hour workweeks and flexible work hours. The university also offers excellent health insurance, retirement benefits, and tuition assistance. ISRDI encourages and supports staff training and development.

Diversity and inclusion are core values of our organization. We are committed to creating a work environment that celebrates and promotes diversity and advances a culture of inclusion for people from historically excluded and underrepresented groups. We strongly encourage members of underrepresented groups to apply.

Pay and Benefits

Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off.

Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree‑seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program.

Low‑cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans.

Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts.

University HSA contributions.

Disability and employer‑paid life insurance.

Employee wellbeing program.

Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity.

Financial counseling services.

Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost.

Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area.

While our salary ranges provide a framework, please note that most of the time the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

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