Outreach and Communications Manager

Outreach and Communications Manager The Outreach and Communications Manager serves as the primary communications strategist and editorial lead for the Owens Institute for Behavioral Research (OIBR). This role plans, develops, and executes integrated communications, outreach, marketing, and engagement initiatives that advance the Institute's mission and visibility across the University of Georgia and external audiences.
Working closely with Institute leadership, the position exercises independent judgment to develop messaging strategies, oversee content development, and guide communications priorities. The role is responsible for producing and directing a wide range of communications deliverables, including newsletters, web and social media content, promotional materials, announcements, and leadership reports, ensuring consistency with University branding and messaging standards.
The position manages OIBR's digital presence, develops editorial calendars, and evaluates engagement data to inform communications strategy and support annual reporting and continuous improvement. The role also leads communications efforts for Institute programs and events and collaborates with faculty, centers, and campus partners to support outreach and promote research activities.
Additionally, the position maintains key communications infrastructure, including listservs, faculty directories, and institutional content, while coordinating communications-related aspects of recurring Institute activities such as reporting, seed grant programs, and award nominations.
Knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies include demonstrated expertise in written and verbal communications, advanced proficiency in communications tools, technologies, and platforms, ability to independently develop, edit, and oversee high-quality communications deliverables, strong analytical thinking and intellectual curiosity, proven ability to collaborate across organizational units, organizational and project management skills, demonstrated commitment to professional integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct, and ability to manage multiple concurrent projects of varying scope and complexity.
Physical demands include ability to work at a computer for long periods of time.
This position does not require driving, have operation, access, or control of financial resources, require a P-Card, have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care, or have security access.
Background investigation policy includes completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check, confirmation of credentials and employment history, and satisfactory credit check. Pre-employment drug test may be required for positions with high-risk responsibilities.
Duties include strategic communications and editorial leadership, digital communications and content strategy, event planning and stakeholder engagement, analysis, benchmarking, and continuous improvement, coordination and institutional support.