Job Description

Position Summary

The W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research is seeking an experienced Communications Specialist, Internal and Community Relations, to manage strategic communication initiatives that elevate the employee experience, promote community engagement, and support the Institute’s Center for Workforce Innovation and Solutions (CWIS). This entrepreneurial role plays a key part in shaping our organization’s internal voice and ensuring clear, consistent messaging across all platforms.

The Communications Specialist will be responsible for crafting compelling storytelling content, managing media relations, identifying and leveraging new communication channels, and building impactful partnerships to expand our reach. This position will also develop and execute internal communications strategies, including content creation for our intranet and other internal platforms, while aligning closely with the CWIS team to integrate and amplify the center’s programs.

The Upjohn Institute is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This is a hybrid position which requires weekly work in the office. 

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute internal communication strategies to enhance transparency and employee engagement by creating and managing content, coordinating with HR and leadership on internal initiatives, and overseeing the organization's internal website.
• Lead community and external communications by serving as the primary point of contact, creating press and social media content, fostering relationships with local partners and media, and supporting events and sponsorship initiatives.
• Ensure consistent brand representation by overseeing the development and maintenance of communication materials, collaborating on website and social media updates, and supporting the creation of marketing content, reports, and presentations.
• Manage, develop, and execute communication plans for CWIS while promoting their programs and achievements through media relations, and creating CWIS associated content for the organization’s website.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or another relevant field.
• Three to five years of communications or journalism experience covering community, business, or non-profit topics.
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills, along with a broad understanding of best practices relating to communication across various types of content.
• Demonstrated project management and writing/editing experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and various communication software, such as SharePoint and Adobe Suite.

Wages and Benefits

Starting salary for this position is $70,000 - $90,000 based on relevant experience, as well as a generous benefit package. Offered benefits include health, dental and vision insurance, short-term

extended medical leave, long-term disability, parental leave, and a retirement plan.

Who We Are

Since 1932, the Upjohn Institute has functioned as one of the world’s leading independent, non-partisan, and non-profit labor economics research organizations, seeking to research the causes and effects of unemployment and to devise ways and means of alleviating hardships caused by unemployment. The Institute also houses the administrative arm of the local workforce development programs.

The Upjohn Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and as such, is committed achieve a goal of equality in the treatment of employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age height, weight, national origin, veteran or disability status in hiring, promotion, training and development, compensation, transfer, termination, disciplinary action, and all other personnel actions and Institute related functions and activities.

How to Apply

 Submit resume and letter of interest to hr@upjohn.org.

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