The W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation invites applications for a Marketing and Communications Specialist to join their team. Reporting to the Director of Communications for the Franke College, the Marketing and Communications Specialist assists in implementing communications and marketing strategies to help support the College’s vision, strategic goals, and external relations.

The Specialist will take a proactive approach to working with students, faculty, and staff to understand their priorities, research, and goals. They will (with support from the Director of Communications) translate that information into content highlighting the Franke College’s research and student successes, develop marketing materials for faculty and college leadership, and spread the word on the benefits provided by our programs and research properties. The Specialist will develop a strong working relationship with the University of Montana Marketing Communications, Experience and Engagement (MCEE) team in support of recruitment and marketing efforts that express the Franke College story across external communications channels.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

• Write content, including news stories for UM News, press releases, and blog posts.
• Assist the Director in managing the College’s social media accounts.
• Promote College events through various channels.
• Maintain the College’s online presence by assisting the Director with updating websites with new content and photos.
• Create digital newsletters, brochures, and recruitment materials.
• Collaborate with vendors to create and order branded swag.
• Serve as the communications liaison for Franke College student clubs and coordinate student communications efforts.
• Represent the College on university marketing committees, as needed.
• Align marketing efforts with the student mindset.
• Assist the Director in developing communication and outreach strategies targeting alumni.
• Collaborate with the Director, Dean’s Office staff, and other campus partners (MCEE, admissions) to plan various events.
• Represent the Franke College at recruitment events.
• Collaborate with the Director of Communications to develop and implement marketing and communication strategies for the Franke College’s research properties, Bandy Ranch and Lubrecht Experimental Forest.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and one (1) year of professional experience in marketing and communications, or equivalent education and experience.

• Skilled in crafting compelling narratives for diverse audiences, including technical or research-focused audiences.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with basic web content management systems, such as Cascade.
• Demonstrated experience with graphic design and layout.
• Strong computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation software.
• Ability to translate strategic goals into impactful content across formats and platforms.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills; able to manage multiple projects from concept to completion.
• Solutions-oriented with excellent attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Exceptional interpersonal communication abilities.
• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Experience delivering content across digital, print, video, and social media platforms.
• Ability to consistently maintain brand standards while producing high-quality, audience-tailored content.
• Skilled at explaining technical and complex topics in accessible ways for non-specialist audiences.
• Technical knowledge of environmental science, conservation, or related topics.
• Commitment to customer service, creative problem-solving, and proactive independence.
• Flexibility to travel for outreach purposes and attend events/conferences outside Missoula.

Preferred Qualifications

• Skilled in Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Experience mentoring or advising college students or similar populations.
• Experience in a similar position in higher education.
• Knowledge of university communication resources, policies, and procedures.
• Experience with web and graphic design programs (Cascade CMS, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva).
• Experience with social media management platforms (Loomly).
• Working knowledge of project management platforms (Asana).
• Working knowledge of video production software such as iMovie; experience editing for Instagram Reels or Tik Tok.
• Broad knowledge of the University of Montana and Missoula communities.
• Ability to synthesize and analyze complex information and discern trends for reporting purposes.

Position Number: 069100

Work Schedule: Full-time, 1.0 FTE (40 Hours a week), Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 12 months/year.

Probationary Period: Six (6) months minimum

Screening of applications will begin after the closing date of February 2, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

A complete application includes:

1. Letter of Interest – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position. A general letter salutation such as “Dear Search Committee” or “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable.
2. Detailed Resume – listing education and describing work experience
3. Three (3) Professional References – names and contact information

Must be eligible to work in the United States upon hire. Sponsorship is not available for this position.