Manager, Communications

Organizational Summary Statement:

The Center for Global Sustainability (CGS) at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy seeks a Manager, Communications to serve as the Center's lead communications professional. Reporting to the Assistant Center Director, with a dotted-line reporting relationship to SPP's Senior Director of Strategic Communications, the Manager leads the planning, coordination, and execution of communications activities that amplify CGS research, strengthen the Center's brand and visibility, and engage policy, research, media, partner, and other audiences.

The Manager oversees day-to-day communications operations and translates Center priorities into coordinated communications plans, campaigns, and deliverables. The position serves as a primary curator of CGS's external communications and digital presence, ensuring that the Center's research, expertise, accomplishments, and activities are communicated through clear, compelling, coordinated, and audience-appropriate content across print and digital channels.

Working proactively with CGS faculty, researchers, and program teams, the Manager identifies opportunities to amplify research findings, publications, expertise, and thought leadership; develops and produces high-quality original content; and provides communications guidance and high-level communications support to CGS leadership. The Manager also collaborates with School and University communications partners to extend CGS's reach and identify opportunities to broaden engagement with policy, government, academic, media, philanthropic, and other relevant audiences.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of CGS communications activities and translate Center priorities into actionable communications plans and campaigns.
• Lead research communications and dissemination for reports, publications, policy analyses, tools, and other research products.
• Oversee development and editing of news stories, research highlights, newsletters, web content, announcements, and other communications products.
• Manage CGS digital communications, including website content, social media, newsletters, email campaigns, digital engagement, and content governance.
• Coordinate media relations, including media outreach, press materials, interview requests, media preparation, and tracking of media coverage.
• Oversee CGS brand implementation and creative services, including reports, publications, presentations, infographics, data visualizations, photography, video, templates, and collateral.
• Lead communications and promotional support for CGS events in partnership with CGS Operations, which manages event logistics.
• Provide communications materials and messaging support for stakeholder engagement led by the Director's Office and research/program leads.
• Supervise communications staff and student employees and coordinate external vendors and creative professionals.
• Monitor communications performance and use web, media, email, social, and other metrics to recommend improvements.

About the Center for Global Sustainability (CGS):

The Center for Global Sustainability is housed within the University of Maryland School of Public Policy. CGS conducts research and engagement focused on global climate, energy, and sustainability challenges and works to connect rigorous research with policy impact.

Position Relationship:

This position reports directly to the Assistant Center Director and serves as the lead communications role for CGS. The position also maintains a dotted-line reporting relationship to SPP's Senior Director of Strategic Communications to ensure coordination and alignment between CGS and School-level communications. The Manager executes communications priorities established by Center leadership and manages the CGS communications function, team, workflows, and deliverables while coordinating with SPP Communications on shared messaging, media, brand, and communications initiatives.

Preferences:

• Advanced degree in a relevant field.
• Experience in higher education, a research center, nonprofit, think tank, public policy organization, or similar mission-driven environment.
• Experience communicating research related to climate change, energy, sustainability, environmental policy, or public policy.
• Experience translating complex research or technical information for nontechnical audiences.
• Experience working with faculty, researchers, technical experts, and organizational leadership.
• Experience with media relations, publications, creative services, and communications analytics.
• Experience supervising professional staff, student employees, contractors, or project teams.
• Excellent written, verbal, editing, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to translate complex research, technical, scientific, and policy information into clear and compelling content for diverse audiences.
• Strong editorial judgment, attention to detail, and commitment to accuracy.
• Knowledge of digital communications, social media, web content management, media relations, publications, and audience engagement.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, including the ability to establish priorities and manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to provide effective supervision, direction, coaching, and feedback to staff and student employees.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with faculty, researchers, administrators, senior leadership, external partners, vendors, and media representatives.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in carrying out established communications priorities and managing communications projects from planning through execution.
• Ability to use communications metrics and performance information to evaluate activities, identify trends, and recommend improvements.
• Proficiency with common communications, web content, social media, email marketing, and project management tools.

Licenses/ Certifications: N/A

Physical Demands: 

• Work is primarily performed in an office and computer-based environment and requires the ability to remain in a stationary position and operate a computer and other standard office equipment for extended periods.
• Ability to communicate and exchange information effectively in person, virtually, by telephone, and through other communication platforms.
• Occasional movement throughout the workplace and across campus may be required to attend meetings, events, interviews, photo/video activities, and other Center functions.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required in support of events, major publications, media requests, or other time-sensitive communications activities.
• Occasional travel may be required to support CGS events, conferences, meetings, or other communications activities.

Additional Information: UMD will not sponsor the successful candidate for work authorization in the United States Now or in the future.

Required Application Materials:

Applicants should submit a resume or curriculum vitae, cover letter, and work samples or portfolio demonstrating relevant communications experience

Best Consideration Date: 10/23/2026

Posting Close Date: NA

Open Until Filled: Yes

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Experience: Three (3) years of professional communications or marketing experience. One (1) year of experience leading or supervising professional staff.
Other: Additional work experience as defined above may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to four (4) years of the required education.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES: 
Knowledge of writing, editing, and proofreading.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office and Google Workspace products.
Ability to prioritize assignments.
Ability to multitask while demonstrating a commitment to customer service.

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization.  Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

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