Executive Director of Marketing & Communications
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How to Apply
Michigan Law has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this recruitment.
Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent to Isaacson, Miller at the link below:
https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/university-michigan-law-school/executive-director-marketing-and-communications
Please direct all inquires regarding this position to Kelly McLaughlin ( [email protected] )
Who We Are
Founded in 1859, Michigan Law is one of the oldest law schools in the United States and celebrates a long and distinguished history. Michigan Law is consistently ranked among the top 10 law schools in the nation and enjoys international renown for its academic rigor, stunning physical surroundings, preeminent faculty and scholarship, and collegial academic community. The Executive Director of Marketing and Communications will report to the Chief of Staff and serve as a key member of the Dean's senior leadership team. The Executive Director will help articulate and advance Michigan Law's distinctive position, aligning marketing and communications priorities, strategy, and resources to support the Law School's mission, strategic goals, and long-term success.
Job Summary
The University of Michigan Law School (Michigan Law) seeks an experienced and collaborative marketing strategist and communications leader to serve as its Executive Director of Marketing and Communications.
The ideal candidate will bring strategic vision, sound judgment, and a willingness to engage deeply in the work. They will be an experienced communications leader and trusted advisor with a track record of developing and implementing high-level, sophisticated marketing and communications strategies. They will bring strong judgment about priorities and opportunities for impact, along with experience leading talented teams to produce compelling, effective work. This is an opportunity for a proven leader to help shape and articulate the story of one of the nation's leading law schools.
Responsibilities*
Reporting to the Chief of Staff and serving as a key member of Dean Neel Sukhatme's senior leadership team, the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications will provide strategic vision and leadership for the Law School's marketing and communications efforts. The Executive Director will develop and implement a marketing and integrated communications strategy that advances the Law School's mission, strategic priorities, reputation, and visibility among internal and external audiences. The Executive Director will help establish institutional communications priorities, identify opportunities where marketing and communications can have the greatest impact, and ensure that the team's work and resources are aligned with the Law School's broader goals.
The Executive Director will manage a budget of $600,000 and lead a talented team of 10 responsible for a broad portfolio that includes strategic communications, media relations, editorial and content development, social media, digital and web strategy, marketing, creative services, and internal communications.
The Marketing and Communications team produces and manages a wide range of communications across platforms and audiences. These include Michigan Law's digital and web presence; Law Quadrangle, the Law School's twice-annual alumni magazine and its online counterpart; Amicus, an electronic newsletter featuring news and stories from across the Michigan Law community; social media channels; publications and materials supporting admissions, development and alumni relations; and communications supporting Law School events, programs, and initiatives.
Importantly, the Executive Director will also serve as a trusted advisor to the Dean, other senior leaders, and faculty, providing thoughtful and candid counsel on institutional messaging, reputation, and sensitive and emerging issues. The Executive Director will bring sound judgment and organizational savvy, with an ability to navigate complex institutional dynamics and build trust across a wide range of stakeholders. They will understand not only how best to communicate, but when, why, and to whom, while ensuring a coordinated approach to messaging with University counterparts.
KEY OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Advance Michigan Law's vision, visibility, and impact
Michigan Law is entering a period of momentum and opportunity under Dean Sukhatme's leadership. The Executive Director of Marketing and Communications will play a central role in translating the Law School's aspirations, accomplishments, and strategic priorities into a compelling and cohesive institutional narrative that resonates with a broad range of audiences. A key priority will be articulating what most distinctly defines Michigan Law and ensuring that those differentiators are communicated consistently and authentically across audiences and channels. Working closely with the Dean, senior leaders, faculty, and staff, the Executive Director will help articulate and communicate the vision for the future of Michigan Law while amplifying the impact of its faculty, students, alumni, and programs.
The Executive Director will identify opportunities to elevate the visibility, expertise, and reputation of the Law School and its community, while strengthening engagement with prospective students, alumni, donors, the legal profession, and the broader public. This leader will ensure that Michigan Law's communications reflect both its longstanding excellence and its continued evolution in a rapidly changing higher education and legal landscape.
Strengthen and evolve marketing and communications capabilities
The Executive Director will have an opportunity to build upon a strong communications foundation while helping Michigan Law adopt a more integrated, data-informed, and digitally sophisticated approach to marketing and communications. The Executive Director will evaluate existing practices and identify innovative strategies that enhance effectiveness, expand reach, and support institutional priorities. The Executive Director will strengthen Michigan Law's marketing capabilities, bringing a sophisticated understanding of audiences, positioning, channels, and performance to efforts designed to reach and engage key constituencies. The Executive Director will bring a strategic and proactive approach to this work.
This leader will champion a culture of innovation, experimentation, and assessment, using data and analytics to better understand and engage key constituencies. Working with colleagues across the Law School and the University, the Executive Director will guide efforts to strengthen Michigan Law's digital presence, including its web strategy and user experience, ensuring that communications platforms effectively serve multiple audiences and communicate the full breadth of the institution's excellence and impact.
Serve as a strategic advisor and counselor to senior leaders
As a member of the Dean's senior leadership team, the Executive Director will bring a strategic communications perspective to institutional decision-making, anticipating communications opportunities, risks, and implications and helping shape approaches before decisions are made. The successful candidate will bring sound judgment, discretion, and political acuity to a highly visible leadership role, partnering closely with the Dean and other senior leaders to navigate both opportunities and challenges with clarity and confidence. The Executive Director will provide thoughtful counsel on executive communications, media relations, and issues management, ensuring that communications are aligned with institutional priorities and values and appropriately responsive to internal and external audiences.
Lead and develop a talented, long-standing team
The Executive Director will lead a highly respected communications team with deep institutional knowledge, significant expertise, and a track record of accomplishment. The next Executive Director will have an opportunity to build upon these strengths while establishing a clear strategic direction for the office and fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity, accountability, and continuous learning. By empowering team members, clarifying priorities and processes, and aligning the office around a shared vision for the future, the Executive Director will position the team to meet evolving institutional needs while continuing to deliver communications and marketing efforts of the highest quality.
Required Qualifications*
The successful candidate will bring many of the following professional qualities and experiences:
Significant,progressivelyresponsibleexperienceinmarketing,communications,publicrelations, media relations, or a related field. Experience in a law school, the legal industry, or higher education would be especially valuable, though candidates with relevant experience in other complex organizations are encouraged to apply.
Significant supervisory and management experience, with a demonstrated track record of leading, developing, and supporting high-performing teams.
Demonstrated success developing and implementing marketing and integrated communications strategies that build awareness, strengthen institutional positioning, engage priority audiences, and advance organizational goals and priorities.
Demonstrated ability to establish strategic priorities, manage competing demands, and focus communications resources on efforts with the greatest institutional impact.
Sophisticatedknowledgeofdigitalmarketing,socialmedia,audienceengagement,analytics,and evolving communications technologies, with a demonstrated curiosity and enthusiasm for adopting new tools and approaches (e.g., A/B testing or other causal inference methods).
Demonstrated experience using artificial intelligence tools and thoughtfully integrating AI into marketing and communications strategies, workflows, or team practices.
Strong fluency in web strategy, content management, user experience, accessibility, and analytics, with experience overseeing complex institutional websites and digital platforms.
Experienceusingdataandaudienceinsightstoshapestrategy,assesseffectiveness,andimproveresults.
Experience serving as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, anticipating communications opportunities,risks,andimplicationsandprovidingthoughtfulcounseloninstitutionalmessaging, reputation management, and sensitive or complex issues, including in moments of crisis.
Demonstrated ability to translate complex ideas and priorities into clear, compelling communications for varied audiences.
Demonstratedabilitytobuildtrust,influencewithoutrelyingonformalauthority,andcollaborate effectively across a complex organization with varied stakeholders and perspectives.
Exceptionalwritten,verbal,interpersonal,andpresentationskills.
Intellectualcuriosity,creativity,andappreciationforthemissionofaleadingacademicinstitution.
Bachelor's degree required. Advanced degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field strongly preferred.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about thework modes (https://hr.umich.edu/working-u-m/my-employment/ways-we-work-resource-center/ways-we-work-implementation-group/modes-work) .
Application Deadline
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 any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Job Detail
Job Opening ID
283009
Working Title
Executive Director of Marketing & Communications
Job Title
Communications Top Exec Unit
Work Location
Ann Arbor Campus
Ann Arbor, MI
Modes of Work
Onsite
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
FLSA Status
Exempt
Organizational Group
Law School
Department
Law School
Posting Begin/End Date
9/13/2026 - 10/13/2026
Career Interest
Communications & Marketing
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