Communications and Social Media Manager

The Communications & Social Media Manager serves as the University of Minnesota Crookston's primary communications professional and is responsible for leading internal and external communications, media relations, public relations, and social media strategy. This role develops and delivers communications that engage key audiences, support institutional priorities, and strengthen the university's reputation.

The ideal candidate is an exceptional writer, strategic communicator, and relationship builder with experience managing communications across multiple channels and audiences. This individual will be responsible for ensuring consistent, engaging, and mission-driven communications that strengthen campus engagement, enhance visibility, and support the university's strategic goals.

This person will work closely with the central office of University Marketing Communications, including earned and social media team members.
Key Responsibilities

Internal Communications & Campus Messaging

Serve as the university's primary internal communications professional and coordinate institution-wide communications efforts

Develop and manage employee and student communications, including newsletters, campus announcements, leadership messages, daily updates, and other university-wide communications

Develop and execute communication plans for major campus initiatives, policy updates, events, organizational changes, and strategic priorities

Ensure timely and accurate communication of information affecting employees and students

Support executive communications including but not limited to speeches, talking points, presentations, and leadership messaging

Coordinate emergency and urgent communications related to weather closures, campus disruptions, safety incidents, and other time-sensitive situations

Maintain consistency of messaging, voice, and brand standards across all internal communication channels

Media Relations & Public Relations

Serve as the university's primary media contact and spokesperson liaison

Develop and maintain relationships with local, regional, statewide, and higher education media outlets

Research, write, and distribute press releases, media advisories, feature stories, and other public relations materials

Coordinate media interviews and prepare university representatives for media engagement opportunities

Monitor media coverage and proactively pursue earned media opportunities that highlight university programs, student success, faculty expertise, research, and institutional achievements

Maintain media contact databases and earned media reporting metrics

Develop and execute social media strategies that increase awareness, engagement, audience growth, and brand affinity

Manage the university's official social media channels including content planning, publishing, monitoring, and community management

Create engaging written, visual, and video content tailored to platform-specific audiences and best practices

Monitor platform trends and performance metrics to identify opportunities for audience growth, engagement, and continuous improvement

Respond to inquiries and engage with audiences across social media platforms in a timely and professional manner

Collaborate with marketing, admissions, athletics, academic departments, and campus partners to support recruitment, events, and institutional initiatives through social media

Strategic Communications & Reputation Management

Develop and implement strategic communication plans aligned with institutional priorities

Strengthen the university's reputation through storytelling, public relations, and community engagement

Monitor public perception and emerging issues that may impact the institution

Support communication planning and response efforts during emergencies, sensitive situations, and crisis events

Analytics, Reporting & Compliance

Monitor communication performance and develop reports on engagement, audience growth, media coverage, and key outcomes

Track earned media placements and measure public relations impact

Utilize data and audience insights to inform communication strategy and content planning

Ensure all communications comply with university policies, accessibility standards, copyright requirements, and brand guidelines

Evaluate communication effectiveness and recommend improvements to internal and external communication channels

Success in This Role

Serves as a trusted communications resource for campus leadership, employees, and students

Successfully manages internal, external, and emergency communications with professionalism and accuracy

Increases positive media coverage and strengthens relationships with media partners

Grows social media engagement and community interactionConnects communication efforts to measurable institutional goals and outcomes

Qualifications
Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or a related field

4+ years of professional experience in communications, public relations, social media management, journalism, marketing communications, or a related field

Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with experience producing press releases, feature stories, newsletters, executive communications, and other organizational content

Experience managing organizational social media accounts and developing content strategies across multiple platforms

Experience coordinating communications initiatives and collaborating with leadership, internal stakeholders, and external partners

Strong interpersonal, relationship-building, and project management skills

Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment

Strong understanding of social media best practices, audience engagement strategies, and content planning

Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain professionalism when handling sensitive or confidential information

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in higher education

Experience serving as a media contact or managing media relations activities

Knowledge of AP Style and professional editorial standards

Experience supporting executive communications, leadership messaging, or speechwriting

Experience developing communication plans for major initiatives, organizational changes, or crisis situations

Experience using email marketing and mass communication platforms

Familiarity with accessibility standards, brand governance, and digital communication best practices

Pay and Benefits
Pay Range:

$54,000 per year - $61,000 per year ; depending on education/qualifications/experience

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off

Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans

Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts

University HSA contributions

Disability and employer-paid life insurance

Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution

Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to 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.

Diversity
The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements
Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC)

With a strong tradition of technology-enhanced teaching and learning, the University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) serves as the U's major outpost in Northwest Minnesota. UMC provides both experiential, career-oriented degree programs as well as high-quality online programs, while connecting its teaching, research, and outreach to rural economic development and service to the region and beyond.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.

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