Communications Manager

Responsibilities

• Manages the day-to-day operational unit plans to align with strategic initiatives and to meet established objectives
• Develops, implements, and delivers communication materials through various mediums to designated audiences
• Plans, writes, and edits content for various internal and external stakeholders
• Plans and directs unit programs and/or projects to ensure adherence to deadlines and budgets
• Identifies, proposes, and implements new or revised unit operational policies and procedures
• Reporting directly to the Assistant Chancellor for University Relations and Strategic Communications, the Communications Manager serves as a lead day-to-day owner of UW–Oshkosh’s newsroom and media relations operation.
• This position combines strong news judgment, exceptional writing and editing skills, proactive media relations, and public-information expertise to tell the University’s story accurately, strategically, and in a timely manner.
• The Communications Manager manages the UWO Today/newsroom pipeline, develops and advances story opportunities aligned with University priorities, writes and edits a variety of institutional communications, coordinates contributors and deadlines, and maintains high standards for accuracy, clarity, and institutional voice.
• The position serves as a primary day-to-day contact for media inquiries and builds productive relationships with local, regional, and statewide media.
• The Communications Manager proactively pitches University stories, experts, research, programs, and community impact and prepares media statements, talking points, background materials, and interview preparation.

Requirements

• - Bachelor’s degree in marketing or related field
• - Demonstrated professional experience in journalism, media relations, public information, communications or a comparable deadline-driven environment.
• - Excellent reporting, interviewing, writing and editing skills.
• - Strong news judgment and the ability to identify compelling stories and distinguish institutional priorities from external news value.
• - Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple priorities, deadlines and projects.
• - Sound judgment and discretion when working with sensitive, incomplete or rapidly changing information.
• - Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively with university leaders, faculty and staff, students, journalists and community partners.

Preferred

• - Experience in higher education, government, public-sector communications or another complex public-facing organization.
• - Experience responding to media inquiries or serving in a media relations or public information officer (PIO) capacity.
• - Experience supporting crisis or issues communications.
• - Experience editing, coordinating or providing day-to-day direction to writers, communications staff, freelancers, interns or student employees.
• - Demonstrated success identifying and developing proactive earned-media opportunities.

Benefits

• - Health plans, currently starting at $45 per month.
• - 176 hours of vacation per year (prorated for start date).
• - 36 hours of personal holiday, and 9 legal holidays (prorated for start date).
• - 176 Hours of sick leave for first 18 months. After this period, employees can earn up to 96 hours per fiscal year. Accumulates without limit and does not expire.
• - Paid parental leave after six months of continuous employment.
• - Wisconsin Retirement System (pension) with 7.2% employer contribution for 2026.
• All employment benefits are subject to change. A full list of current benefits and eligibility requirements can be found on our website.