Director, Marketing & Communications in East Lansing, Michigan at MSU Research Foundation

About the organization

The Michigan State University Research Foundation (MSU Research Foundation) is a non-profit research foundation affiliated with Michigan State University (MSU). Founded in 1973, the Foundation was chartered to promote, encourage, and aid scientific investigation and research at the university; assist with patent matters; and perform trust functions for the university’s fundraising organization.

The MSU Research Foundation manages an endowment built through decades of technology licensing and innovation. In addition to providing more than $10 million annually in research funding to MSU, the Foundation supports technology commercialization, venture creation, entrepreneurial development, early-stage investing, and placemaking initiatives that strengthen Michigan’s innovation economy. Michigan State University is among the top 100 research institutions in the world, with annual research expenditures exceeding $930 million.

Through its subsidiary organizations and real estate assets, including Spartan Innovations, Red Cedar Ventures, Michigan Rise, the University Health Park, the Foundation helps transform university research and emerging technologies into economic impact throughout Michigan.

Role Brief

The Director of Marketing & Communications plays a key role in shaping and communicating the MSU Research Foundation's brand, mission, programs, services, and impact across its diverse stakeholder groups. The Director is responsible for developing and executing an integrated marketing, communications, public relations, and brand strategy, including a multi-channel communications plan that increases awareness and recognition of the Foundation and its subsidiaries. Serving as the organization's primary storyteller and promoter, the Director communicates accomplishments, initiatives, investment activity, innovation ecosystem efforts, and business development activities while ensuring consistent and compelling messaging across the organization. The Director works closely with the CEO and senior leadership team and serves as a strategic communications resource to the organization. The role also works in close partnership with MSU Communications, the MSU Innovation Center, the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, MSU faculty, staff, and administration, as well as local partners, state agencies, and national programs to advance the Foundation's visibility, relationships, and strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Marketing & Communications Strategy: Develop and implement a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy that aligns with the goals of the MSU Research Foundation and its subsidiaries. Serve as a trusted communications advisor to executive leadership and support organizational messaging, stakeholder engagement, and reputation management.
• Content Development & Storytelling: Produce compelling content and storytelling that highlights organizational impact, startup success stories, research commercialization efforts, economic development initiatives, and other Foundation activities.
• Program & Event Promotion: Develop and execute marketing and communications campaigns that promote Foundation programs, events, initiatives, portfolio companies, and ecosystem activities. Support the promotion of placemaking initiatives and stakeholder engagement activities that strengthen the MSU innovation ecosystem.
• Digital Marketing & Communications: Oversee website content, search engine optimization (SEO), social media platforms, newsletters, and other digital communication channels to strengthen awareness and engagement.
• Brand Management: Develop and maintain brand standards and ensure consistent messaging and brand alignment across the MSU Research Foundation and its subsidiary organizations.
• Public Relations & External Partnerships: Manage relationships with external marketing, communications, and public relations partners. Coordinate with outside public relations firms to support media relations, communications strategies, and organizational visibility.
• Foundation & Ecosystem Collaboration: Partner with Foundation subsidiaries, MSU, and ecosystem stakeholders to align communications strategies, coordinate messaging, and maximize organizational impact.
• Performance & Budget Management: Benchmark marketing and communications strategies, brand performance, and organizational impact against peer foundations, economic development organizations, and venture-related entities. Oversee the marketing and communications budget.
• Additional Responsibilities: Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated success developing and executing strategic marketing, communications, and brand initiatives.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to write creatively and succinctly and tailor messaging to diverse audiences.
• Proven track record of developing and managing digital marketing, social media, and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet critical deadlines.
• Ability to develop compelling content and storytelling that communicates organizational impact and advances strategic objectives.
• Ability to build effective relationships and collaborate with executive leadership, internal teams, external partners, and diverse stakeholders.
• Knowledge of brand management, public relations, digital communications, and integrated marketing strategies.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and exercise sound judgment in a dynamic environment.

Experience and education

• Minimum of five (7) years of experience in marketing, communications, public relations, or a related field, including leadership responsibilities.
• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Advertising, Public Relations, or a related field required.
• Experience working with executive leadership and managing external marketing, communications, or public relations partners preferred.
• Experience within higher education, research, economic development, innovation, venture capital, nonprofit, or a related environment preferred.

The MSU Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.