Art Communications Specialist

Job Duties

Professional communications work in the areas of marketing and public/internal relations, responsible for programmatic communications and marketing planning and implementation, content creation, and project management. This is a 50%-time, 20 hours per week position. Working with flexibility (in-person 2 days a week and remote work) is possible, along with flexible hours.

Programmatic Communication and Marketing Duties - 100%

• Weekly Newsletter & Communications - 45%
  • Creates and distributes materials to promote the Department of Art's educational programs and events (visiting artist, emerging artist, diversity residency, exhibitions, and other faculty, student, and alumni achievements) via the weekly Art News + Happenings e-newsletter, through direct intra- and inter-departmental communications, and with members of the press and/or general public.
  • Develops communication and marketing plans for events, services, and activities that align with the broader department communication and/or marketing strategy. Acts as PR and Media Coordinator, developing all advertising, marketing, and public relations materials to promote and reinforce the strategic communication plan.
  • Engages with other University colleges and departments, the media, or the public on questions, comments, or requests for information. Writes responses to news publications for information related to and concerning the University of Minnesota.
  • Develops marketing materials to recruit prospective students. Identifies promotional and advertising opportunities, analyzes existing markets, and coordinates and monitors the use of the Department of Art's brands.
  • Creates press packets for news outlets to announce faculty, student, and alumni achievements.
    
• Social Media Content Creation and Management - 25%
  • Seeks out, reshares, and creates original and existing social media content across the department's relevant channels, including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Visits classrooms, exhibitions, and events to generate content that will serve the greater department marketing strategy and support recruitment, retention, donor relations, public profile, and faculty, staff, and alumni career achievements. Analyzes web usage to identify trends and implements new media communication tools and social media as appropriate.
    
• Event Listing & Website Management - 10%
  • Designs and implements the department's current website. Works with the Office of Institutional Advancement to create a visually exciting site using the College's branded template. Manages event listings for department-sponsored events at the Regis Center for Art, including exhibitions, receptions, artist talks, and special programs.
    
• Photography & Video Editing - 5%
  • Visits classrooms and exhibition openings to document events, using the photos to promote student exhibitions, gallery openings, and classroom curricula. Develops slideshow videos for YouTube and social media, and processes recorded artist talks for the department's YouTube page.
    
• Writing for Website - 5%
  • Conceives, develops, and writes original content for the department newsfeed, including news articles, special announcements, artist interviews, and obituaries.
    
• Graphic Design - 5%
  • Designs invitations, fliers, and announcements for department events and exhibitions. Creates specialized or technical materials for marketing, publication, and/or public or internal relations that incorporate both written and graphic work and utilize multiple media methods.
    
• Faculty Search & MFA Recruitment Campaign Management - 5%
  • Every fall, manage the annual MFA Program recruitment campaign: work with DGS to develop visual assets, post on social media, share across faculty and with collegiate contacts, and strategize and implement paid advertisements across diverse platforms. Track analytics on efforts to help streamline future searches.
  • As positions become available, manage regular faculty recruitment campaigns by working with search committees to develop visual assets, posting on social media, sharing content across the faculty and with collegiate contacts, and strategizing and implementing paid advertisements across diverse platforms. Track analytics on efforts to help streamline future searches.
    
• Other programmatic and marketing duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• 6 years combined equivalent education and experience or Bachelor's degree in Art, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related field plus 2 years professional experience.
• Proficiency (i.e. 3 years of experience) with design software and media platforms such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator), Premier/Final Cut Pro, Drupal, Mail Chimp, Google Suite, Word, PowerPoint, and social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Experience or strong knowledge of the liberal arts and/or University policies and procedures related to student and academic life
• Proven ability to work independently
• Successful problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Excellent organizational skills, including multi-tasking and time management

About the College of Liberal Arts

Home to the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts is the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of the undergraduate enrollment in the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has annual all-funds budget of $290 million.

CLA is a destination of curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplined, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoint-so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in CLA
Working in CLA
The Benefits of Working at the U

Pay Range: $26.92 to $30.46 per hour.; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 50%-74% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
• 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

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

A portfolio may be requested if asked to move forward in the interview process.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

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

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.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).