Communications Manager

As a member of the central Student Affairs communications and advancement team, you will lead high‑level messaging and storytelling to convey the impact of student experiences outside the classroom and how these add value in pursuit of a college degree.

The communications manager will spend most days writing, storytelling, editing, planning communications, and managing media or issues‑related needs. These activities are essential to supporting student success and advancement.

Responsibilities

Developing executive remarks, talking points, and presentations.

Authoring stories that illustrate the value of Student Affairs as part of the student experience.

Managing media relations, including executive leader preparedness, responses to student, local, and national media, and preparing occasional news releases.

Assisting with crisis and issues‑related communications.

Planning, writing, and editing content for the monthly Student Affairs newsletter.

Developing communication plans and strategies associated with Student Affairs initiatives.

Maintaining an archive of remarks, presentations, and points on key issues.

Editing communication materials and messaging.

Supervising a student employee (hiring, promotions, performance management, task assignment, hours approval).

Identifying, proposing, and implementing new or revised unit operational policies and procedures.

Managing media relations and supporting crisis communication.

Managing the day‑to‑day operational unit plans to align with strategic initiatives and to meet established objectives.

Developing, implementing, and delivering communication materials through various mediums to designated audiences.

Planning, writing, and editing content for various internal and external stakeholders.

Planning and directing unit programs and/or projects to ensure adherence to deadlines and budgets.

Compensation and Benefits
The starting salary range for this position is $72,500 up to $84,000 for highly experienced candidates. Salary depends on experience and qualifications. The position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax‑advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System pension fund. For more information, see https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf

Required Qualifications

Experience authoring executive-level messaging, scripts, and/or formal remarks.

Experience with public and/or media relations.

Experience with communication planning and execution.

Ability to humanize initiatives with compelling narratives.

Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Ability to prioritize tasks and perform effectively under tight deadlines.

High attention to detail and superior editing skills with a sharp eye for accuracy, tone, and brand consistency.

Preferred Qualifications

Ability to exercise high discretion and sound judgment when interacting with executive and senior institutional leaders.

Demonstrated experience using plain language principles to translate complex or technical information for general audiences.

Familiarity with current public institution issues, trends, and governance in higher education.

Minimum of 5 years of professional experience that includes executive messaging, media/public relations, strategic storytelling, and communications planning.

Education
Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional-level experience.

Institutional Statement on Diversity
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW‑Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin‑Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran, and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released.

To request a disability or pregnancy‑related accommodation for any step in the hiring process, please contact the Divisional Disability Representative in the division you are applying to. Make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

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