Manager, Research Marketing and Communications

Serving as the Institute's primary marketing and communications professional, the position integrates responsibilities spanning strategic communications, marketing strategy, brand management, executive communications, digital media, website management, social media strategy, multimedia production, graphic design, project management, event marketing, analytics, and visual storytelling. The role translates complex scientific and technical research into compelling, accessible content that engages diverse audiences and supports institutional priorities.

 

Key responsibilities include leading marketing campaigns for initiatives and events; developing print, digital, and multimedia assets; managing the Institute's web presence and social media platforms; producing executive presentations and reports; supporting leadership communications; promoting interdisciplinary research clusters and technology commercialization initiatives; and coordinating marketing efforts across multiple university departments, faculty, researchers, industry partners, and external stakeholders.

 

The position also manages marketing and communications for high-profile events while developing project timelines, overseeing concurrent marketing initiatives, analyzing engagement metrics, and using data-driven insights to continuously improve outreach and audience engagement.

 

This position is designated as a remote position with the expectation of maintaining regular communication and collaboration with the FedEx Institute of Technology leadership, faculty, researchers, and university stakeholders through virtual platforms. Periodic on-site attendance may be required for strategic planning sessions, major conferences, special events, executive meetings, photo/video production, or other business needs.

Responsibilities

Marketing & Communications

• Develop and execute integrated marketing and communications strategies that advance the FedEx Institute of Technology's mission and strategic priorities as well as the Division of Research and Innovation.
• Implement marketing campaigns for research initiatives, technology programs, strategic partnerships, and institutional events.
• Manage social media strategy, content, and audience engagement across multiple platforms.
• Write and edit marketing copy for digital, print, web, and social media communications.
• Promote research accomplishments, technology commercialization initiatives, conferences, workforce development programs, and strategic partnerships.
• Translate complex scientific and technical research into compelling, audience-focused communications for academic, industry, government, and community stakeholders.
• Support outreach efforts and executive communications that enhance the Institute's visibility and reputation.

 

2. Digital Media, Brand Management & Creative Services

• Design and produce print and digital marketing materials, including brochures, flyers, posters, banners, presentations, and branded promotional assets.
• Develop graphics and multimedia content for websites, social media, digital campaigns, and executive presentations.
• Create visual storytelling materials, reports, and presentations for FIT, Research and Innovation Division, and university leadership, as needed.
• Produce and edit photography, video, motion graphics, and other multimedia assets as needed.
• Maintain brand consistency across all marketing and communication materials.
• Manage website content, graphics, and user experience to ensure information remains current, accessible, and visually engaging. 

 

3. Event Marketing & Project Management

• Lead marketing and promotional efforts for major Institute events and other strategic initiatives.
• Develop promotional campaigns and marketing materials before, during, and after events.
• Coordinate event marketing timelines and communication plans.
• Maintain event planning guides and marketing workflows.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects while prioritizing competing deadlines and coordinating with faculty, researchers, administrators, and external partners.
• Maintain the Institute's event calendar and coordinate marketing activities across departments.

 

4. Analytics, Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor and analyze social media, website, and marketing performance metrics.
• Prepare engagement and performance reports for leadership.
• Evaluate marketing effectiveness using data-driven insights and recommend improvements to content strategy and audience engagement.
• Support continuous improvement of marketing processes, digital communications, and institutional outreach through analytics and strategic assessment.

 

5. Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Graphic Design, Journalism, Digital Media, Business, Creative Mass Media, or a closely related field.

• Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in marketing, communications, public relations, or a related field.

• Demonstrated experience developing and executing integrated marketing and communications strategies across digital, print, web, social media, and multimedia platforms.

• Experience managing organizational websites, social media platforms, and digital content management systems.

• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud applications (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Lightroom) and Microsoft Office Suite.

• Experience producing executive presentations, marketing collateral, reports, and visual communication materials.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Marketing, Communications, Visual Media, or a related field.

• Experience in higher education, research administration, technology, innovation, or nonprofit organizations.

• Experience marketing research, technology commercialization, economic development, or STEM initiatives.

• Experience with Modern Campus CMS, Hootsuite, Canva, Gatsby, Wix, or similar web and social media management platforms.

• Experience using AI-enabled productivity and content development tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, or similar platforms).

• Experience planning and marketing conferences, executive events, or large public engagement initiatives.

• Knowledge of branding, accessibility standards, SEO, digital marketing best practices, and social media analytics.

 

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

 

About UsThe University of Memphis is a leading, student-centered, urban public R1 research institution. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, on 1,160 acres. The University serves a population of nearly 20,000 students and 2,500 employees, including more than 1,000 full-time faculty members. The University offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 230 areas of study, master’s degrees in more than 50 subjects and doctoral degrees in 26 disciplines; supported an institutional record of more than $100 million in research awards for FY24; and has an operating budget of close to $500 million.