Position Summary

The Communications Assistant will support communications, marketing, and engagement efforts by creating and managing social media content, promoting programs and events, supporting membership outreach, and tracking the effectiveness of engagement activities. This role is ideal for a student interested in marketing, communications, digital media, data reporting, public engagement, science communication or related fields.

The student will assist with content development, social media scheduling, audience engagement, campaign tracking, and reporting using tools such as Google Analytics, social media analytics platforms, and other marketing/reporting tools.

Key Responsibilities

-      Create, edit, and schedule content for social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Bluesky, or others as appropriate.

-      Support development social media campaigns to promote programs, events, services, announcements, and engagement opportunities.

-      Monitor social media channels and assist with audience engagement as directed.

-      Track and report on marketing performance using tools such as Google Analytics.

-      Compile regular reports on website traffic, social media engagement, campaign performance, audience growth, and other key metrics.

-      Assist with writing and editing marketing copy for newsletters, websites, flyers, emails, event promotions, and digital campaigns.

-      Support outreach efforts to student groups, campus partners, community organizations, or other audiences.

-      Maintain a content calendar and help coordinate deadlines for social media posts, campaigns, and outreach activities.

-      Research marketing trends, peer organizations, audience engagement strategies, and best practices.

-      Assist with event promotion and, when needed, provide support for outreach activities before, during, or after events.

-      Ensure communications align with department, university, or organizational branding and accessibility standards.

-      Support Communications/Membership with project support such as event social media management.

-      Research ICPSR data resources, project pages, and topical collections to identify timely content opportunities for social media, newsletters, and digital campaigns.

-      Assist with multimedia storytelling projects, such as drafting video scripts, creating simple graphics, preparing short-form video content, or supporting visual assets for campaigns.

-      Perform other related duties as assigned.

Schedule:
This position will work up to 10 hours per week. Hours may be flexible based on the student’s class schedule, with occasional availability requested for events, campaign deadlines, or meetings.

Desired Qualifications

-     Current University of Michigan student in good academic standing.

-      Strong written communication and editing skills.

-      Experience using social media platforms for professional, organizational, or promotional purposes.

-      Interest in marketing, communications, outreach, public relations, journalism, digital media, or science communication.

-      Basic familiarity with Google Analytics, social media analytics, or willingness to learn.

-      Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple deadlines.

-      Comfortable working independently and collaboratively.

-      Creative, organized, and proactive.

-      Ability to interpret basic data and summarize findings clearly.

-      Experience with tools such as Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, Google Workspace, Mailchimp, Hootsuite, Buffer, or similar platforms is a plus. Training will be provided.

Preferred Skills (helpful but not required)

-      Experience creating graphics, short-form videos, reels, or other digital content.

-      Familiarity with accessibility best practices for digital communications.

-      Experience writing for different audiences and communication channels.

-      Basic photography, video editing, or design experience.

-      Experience developing reports or dashboards.

-      Knowledge of SEO, email marketing, or website content management systems.