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Assistant Director of Safety Communications

Employer
University Relations, University of Minnesota
Location
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Start date
Aug 8, 2022
Closing date
Sep 7, 2022

View more

Category
Business, Management, Public Relations
Employment Status
Full Time

Job ID

350771

Location

Twin Cities

 

About the Job

University Relations is looking for a new member of the internal communications team. If you are a self-starter, are able to work independently, and can successfully work across a complex and a highly distributed organization, you will be empowered to envision and implement a fresh strategy to enhance student, faculty, staff, parent and community trust and confidence in the University’s efforts to promote safe and a welcoming campus. You will bring to the role your creativity, expertise and enthusiasm for:

Anticipating and developing strategies to get ahead of challenging communication issues. This includes envisioning and implementing processes to actively anticipate stakeholder needs and work to address them promptly, provide accurate and timely updates, and aggressively address misperceptions or incorrect facts,

  • Highlighting the University’s commitment and actions in support of safety, Raising awareness of services and University resources that help members of the University community keep themselves safe, Creating opportunities for two-way communication between University leaders and internal and external stakeholders, Partnering with other University communicators and leaders to amplify and reinforce safety-related messages and content in a coordinated manner, Collaborating with leaders at all levels of a large, diverse and mission-driven organization, Supporting the work of an organization that improves the lives of Minnesotans.


Our ideal candidate will:

  • Develop trusting relationships with UR and University leaders systemwide, to allow you to lead and set safety communications strategy that is comprehensive and multi-channel (including internal, social media, web, and external in collaboration with the UR PR and marketing teams), Lead a communications push that supports the University’s commitment to safety and aligns all safety stakeholders and channels across the Twin Cities campus, and takes into account the interconnected safety ecosystem on the Twin Cities campus, Drive the development of the program scope and roadmap that reflect the goals, expected outcomes, and timing set forth by University leadership, Expertly navigate political and sometimes sensitive situations that are often associated with the issue of safety, particularly across stakeholder groups who vary significantly in their feelings of safety and opinions of how to achieve safety goals. Employ curiosity, personal initiative, and problem-solving skills to identify opportunities to enhance communication and fill information gaps, Bring to the work your strong organizational skills, an ability to juggle multiple tasks in a professional manner, the skill to influence others and bring them along with a strategy, and to coach and monitor colleagues to ensure measurable results.

Salary range: $70,000 - $75,000 annually
Work environment: This team is currently working in a hybrid mode (flexibility to work partly from home and partly on campus).
One year appointment

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing or other relevant area of study with at least six years of experience. Demonstrated success communicating or working sensitively and effectively across cultures, including historically marginalized/underrepresented communities. Excellent written and oral communication skills, and an entrepreneurial attitude. Demonstrated commitment to critical communications skills, including: flexibility/adaptability, active listening, an ability to understand and incorporate other perspectives, navigating sensitive or challenging conversations, etc.

About the Department

University Relations is the central internal communications office for the University of Minnesota System, and the primary communications office for its Twin Cities campus, providing actionable information and strengthening engagement with internal stakeholders (mainly students, faculty and staff) and collaborating closely with other units and communications colleagues across the University System. Teammates like the Assistant Director, Safety Communications, are particularly critical to communicating the University’s commitment to a culture of safety, in the broadest sense of the word.

University Relations is dedicated to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Diverse teams, perspectives, and backgrounds are necessary to create a strong and creative team that communicates effectively to the University’s many communities, on campus and beyond. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQIA+, women, veterans, and members of historically underrepresented communities are highly encouraged to apply.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

The University of Minnesota is a world-class research university and one of the largest in the United States. It is ranked by Forbes as one of the country’s 20 best educational employers and in 2021, the Star Tribune named the University one of its Top Workplaces. The University leads the way on mission-driven work opportunities, strong employee engagement, a fantastic benefits package including tuition reimbursement, all in a fun and always-something-new work environment.

Founded in 1851 as a land-grant university, the school now serves more than 60,000 students from 130 countries enrolled on our campuses, thousands of study abroad students, nearly 26,000 employees on five campuses across Minnesota, and half a million alumni worldwide.

The University consistently has advanced its mission with exceptional vigor—distinguished by a comprehensive commitment to integrating public engagement deeply into teaching and learning, research, and discovery. The University also strongly embraces equity and diversity as foundational values and has made both engagement and diversity central to systemwide strategic plans. Twin Cities campus students include 22% students of color, 12% international students, and 25% first generation students. The University ranks ninth nationally for students learning abroad and offers programs in more than 70 countries.

ABOUT THE TWIN CITIES CAMPUS

The Twin Cities campus is in the heart of a dynamic metro area that is a global economic leader, an education and culture hub, and renowned for its abundant natural resources. The Minneapolis-St. Paul metro is home to the fourth-largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies nationwide and thriving entrepreneurial and small business sectors. Ranked as one of the country’s leading “creative economies,” the Twin Cities is renowned for its arts and nonprofit sectors, as well as many lakes, parks, and a wealth of recreational and entertainment opportunities. Spanning locations in both Minneapolis and St. Paul, the UMN Twin Cities straddles the Mississippi River and adjoins a national park.

The University is an anchor institution for a globally competitive region and state with notable strengths in areas critical to today’s knowledge economy—including biosciences, medical devices, and agriculture and food production. The campus is also located in an increasingly diverse region, with 11 federally-recognized tribal nations, the largest urban Native American population in the country, and growing African American, Latino and Chicano, and Asian American populations.

The Twin Cities campus is located on traditional, ancestral and contemporary lands of Indigenous people. The University resides on Dakota land ceded in the Treaties of 1837 and 1851. The University acknowledges this place has a complex and layered history and is committed to ongoing efforts to recognize, support and advocate for American Indian Nations and peoples.

Benefits

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you’ll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning.  We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

  • Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
  • Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Scholarship
  • 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

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

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online.  To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button at the top of the page and it will bring you to the U of M HR Job page: https://hr.umn.edu/Jobs/Find-Job.  Here you will select if you are a current U of M employee or an external candidate to start your application.  In the search box you will enter the Job ID number 350771. It brings you to the job description page and this is where you  will click the "Apply for Job" button. 

You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

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. 

This position will remain open until filled.

Contact Christie Wells with questions, cwells@umn.edu

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

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.

Please note: All employees at the University of Minnesota are required to comply with the University’s Administrative Policy: COVID-19 Vaccination and Safety Protocol by either providing proof of being fully vaccinated on their first day of employment, or complete a request for an exemption for medical exemption or religious reasons. To learn more please visit:  https://safe-campus.umn.edu/return-campus/get-the-vax

About the U of M

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.

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