Digital Communications Manager

BEST CONSIDERATION DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Friday, September 5, 2025

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The University System of Maryland’s Office of Communications and Marketing seeks a Digital Communications Manager. We are looking for a strategic communicator to join a nimble team that manages the System’s brand and proactively tells the story of our impact in Maryland and beyond.

The Digital Communications Manager would join the USM at a pivotal moment. We recently launched the System’s new brand and “For the Good of Maryland” campaign, and we are getting ready to embark on a significant redesign of the system website. This position will play an important role in both efforts.  

This position reports to the Vice Chancellor for Communications and Marketing and will work closely with the Senior Marketing/Brand Manager on campaigns and strategies that position the system as the leading voice for higher education, both in Maryland and nationally. We are seeking a creative and innovative communicator who understands how to reach and grow audiences across multiple platforms. The best applicants will understand that great stories can be told in multiple ways. This role requires the ability to think quickly and strategically.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Social Media Management:

• Creates and curates content for USM social media channels.
• Monitors posts, comments, and mentions that may require a response. Identifies negative and sensitive issues and coordinates with Vice Chancellor and Senior Marketing/Brand Manager on response as needed.
• Creates and monitors metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs). Recommends tools for monitoring and measuring KPIs.
• Proactively recommends content needs and opportunities for mini campaigns.

Content Creation:

• Proactively produces engaging fun and/or informative content that can be used across multiple channels, delivering on the USM’s brand and its promise of providing value, access and impact across the state.
• Coordinates with the Senior Marketing/Brand Manager on video, graphics and photos that enhance USM storytelling.

Website Management:

• Oversees and updates key webpages, including homepage, news page, and main sections.
• Proactively recommends content needs and opportunities for improvement.
• Monitors website analytics.
• Working with the Senior Marketing Manager, ensures web content and pages reflect the system’s brand.

Content Strategy:

• Working with Senior Marketing/Brand Manager, develops and maintains a content strategy and editorial calendar that integrates content across social media channels, websites, and newsletters. 
• Works with social media and digital strategists across the system on campaigns and content strategy.
• Develops digital strategies that can enhance the USM’s marketing campaigns and help tell its story.

ANNUAL SALARY:

$80,000-$110,000

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Education Level/Certifications:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Related experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis, with one year of experience equivalent to 30 college credits (i.e., one year of full-time study). Candidates without a bachelor’s degree must have at least 4 years of directly related experience to substitute for the degree requirement.

Required Experience:

Three (3) or more years of demonstrated experience managing and creating high-quality digital content for social media channels, websites and other digital platforms, and managing social media channels for an organization. This should include experience developing proactive campaigns as well as strategies to deal with issues and negative comments.

Candidates without a qualifying degree must demonstrate a total of 7 years of relevant experience (4 years to substitute for the degree + 3 years of required experience).

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Strong understanding of digital communications and marketing, including content strategy, audience engagement, and both traditional and emerging media platforms.
• Familiarity with content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal) and basic web technologies (e.g., HTML/CSS).
• Working knowledge of digital tools such as Google Analytics, Hootsuite, Adobe Creative Suite, and Canva for content creation and performance tracking.
• In-depth knowledge of social media platforms (e.g., X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube) and their best practices.
• Excellent writing and editing skills with the ability to produce clear, engaging, and brand-aligned content under tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in creating or coordinating multimedia content (video, graphics, photography) for digital platforms.
• Strong project management skills, including goal setting, prioritization, and maintaining editorial calendars.
• Analytical skills to interpret digital metrics and KPIs to inform strategy and optimize content performance.
• Effective collaboration and communication skills to work with internal teams, leadership, and external partners.
• Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to identify content opportunities and drive digital improvements.
• Strategic thinker capable of developing and executing integrated digital campaigns aligned with organizational goals.
• Adaptable and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
• Sound judgment in identifying and escalating sensitive or negative issues and contributing to appropriate responses.
• High attention to detail, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and quality across all digital communications.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Preferred Education Level/Certifications:

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field.

Preferred Experience:

Experience working in a higher education environment.

• Paid Leave: 22 days of annual leave, 15 days of sick & safe leave, 15 holidays, 3 personal leave days, 12 weeks paid parental leave
• Health Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with flexible spending accounts.
• Retirement Plans: Mandatory and supplemental options with major providers like Fidelity and TIAA.
• Life Insurance: Optional term life and AD&D benefits through MetLife.
• Tuition Benefits: Tuition remission for employees and their families.
• Training & Development: Free professional development conferences and unlimited LinkedIn Learning access.
• Credit Union Access: Membership eligibility for SECU, Maryland’s largest credit union.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Free counseling, legal, financial, and work-life support services.

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