Career Center

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position. Please submit as one attachment, pdf preferred, with YOURNAME.UMS as the file name.  Interviews will begin in late June, with an anticipated start date in August.

This full-time position is based in Ann Arbor, MI and may offer optional work from home days, dependent on future department policy.

The Marketing & Media Relations Manager, which reports directly to the Vice President, Marketing & Communications, has lead responsibility for developing and supporting relations with local and regional press contacts; planning and executing all media buys in coordination with UMS’s external branding firm; and developing html e-mails and marketing strategies to support UMS activities. All of these activities occur to attract audiences to UMS in-person and digital events, ensure that ticket sales and attendance goals are met/exceeded, increase UMS’s regional and national visibility, and support communications for learning events and fundraising initiatives, as well as actively supporting UMS’s anti-racism goals and DEI initiatives. The successful candidate will be adept at managing many deadlines for a wide range of projects with short- and long-term planning horizons.

The position operates with minimal supervision and many opportunities to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate with talented people across the organization. It is part of a four-person marketing and communications team that values brainstorming and creative input, with a willingness to experiment and innovate. The person in this position will mentor and supervise student assistants.

Advertising Coordination & Budget Management  [35%]

• Develop and implement print and broadcast advertising plan for year, including booking, copywriting, and coordinating graphic design. Ensure accuracy, brand compliance, and on-time delivery of final artwork. Manage annual advertising budget of ~$175k.
• Create internal benchmarks and work with Director of Digital Media to track and analyze digital media buys.
• Collaborate on creation and production of UMS collateral materials, including flyers and posters. Oversee volunteer poster distribution team.
• Secure media partners and handle partner sponsorship fulfillment.
• Hire and supervise graphic design intern, and proofread all design collateral. Work closely with staff at local design agency.

Press/Media Relations [35%]

• Research, write, and distribute press/news releases and media advisories. 
• Plan strategy and develop story angles for performances, educational activities and special events.
• Pitch story ideas, coordinate interviews and publicity appearances, manage press tickets, and service press inquiries.
• Build relationships with members of the traditional media and new outlets regionally and nationally (when appropriate). Maintain database.
• Distribute and archive press related/relevant to UMS.
• Ensure that UMS activities are populated in external online calendar listings.

• Work with Group Sales Coordinator to develop and contact community-based organizations.
• Develop talking points and scripts for radio interviews and other institutional activities.
• Distribute and archive press clippings.

E-Mail & Print Communications [15%]

• In conjunction with Digital Marketing Coordinator, create, proofread, and deploy UMS e-mail campaigns that support communications efforts. Track effectiveness of campaigns through A/B testing and report analysis.

Project Management & Administration [15%]

• Coordinate subscription renewal campaign each spring, including renewal forms, list management, and mailing.
• Manage ticket donations request fulfillment for non-profit organizations.
• Assist when needed in supporting press needs for activities beyond performances, including education & community engagement activities, donor events, and more.
• Support Director of Digital Media with artist interview requests for blog posts and other social content.
• Recruit, train, and supervise intern/work-study graphic design position, and provide feedback and mentorship.
• Attend weekly marketing department strategy meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• 2-4 years of professional experience in marketing/communications and experience working in the performing arts and/or non-profit sectors.
• Knowledge of and interest in performing arts and artists.
• Meticulous attention to detail with excellent writing and proofreading skills.
• Ability to effectively manage numerous projects simultaneously and in various stages of development. Must be productive and flexible under pressure and able to meet deadlines. 
• Ability to plan workflow several months in advance, while responding to immediate needs.
• Excellent interpersonal and oral/written communication skills, and the ability to deal with a variety of personalities with tact and diplomacy.
• Technologically savvy with strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office suite and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator).
• Experience working with an email marketing platform (such as MailChimp, ExactTarget, Prospect2) and CRM database, with Tessitura CRM system, and/or Prospect2 email system a plus. 
• Ability to be largely self-sufficient in managing administrative needs.
• Willing to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Must be able to move equipment and boxes weighing up to 25 pounds, have access to transportation to travel to various locations on and off the U-M campus, and be accessible on a mobile cellular device

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

U-M COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters when eligible, are required for all University of Michigan students, faculty and staff across all campuses, including Michigan Medicine.  This includes those working remotely.   More information on this new policy is available on the Campus Blueprint website or the UM-Dearborn and UM-Flint websites.