Marketing Communications Manager

This is an exciting opportunity for an energetic, creative, self-motivated individual to support our marketing, communications, and media efforts. The Marketing Communications Manager will support the development and implementation of an integrated, holistic strategy to achieve UIDP’s objectives by communicating with internal and external audiences, building awareness, driving engagement, and enhancing UIDP's reputation among members, non-members, and potential members. The manager will support the development and cultivation of the UIDP brand, coordinating with other team members to optimize consistency and member experience.

The successful candidate will manage multiple projects simultaneously, working with all members of the UIDP team to support and promote individual initiatives and the organization as a whole in alignment with the UIDP strategic plan. These initiatives encompass a wide range of events, projects, resources, and member engagement activities.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an individual at various career stages who is a lifelong learner with professional curiosity, creativity, and foundational skills to gain knowledge and expand their portfolio. The successful candidate will have exposure to some of the world's finest innovation companies and top research universities, and will substantially impact their partnering activities.

What You Will Do:

Strategic Planning and Implementation

• Enhance the UIDP brand through the implementation of a marketing and communication strategy and plan
• Perform an internal audit of current marketing and communications practices, provide recommendations for improvements, and implement changes
• Survey and interview external stakeholders
• Develop and implement campaigns and materials promoting UIDP events, products, sponsorships, strategic initiatives, and membership benefits and services
• Ensure external communications align with organizational voice, brand, and style standards

Digital Marketing/Social Media

• Boost and maintain a social media presence via LinkedIn, Facebook, and X
• Develop and post promotional and general interest content to increase following and garner maximum engagement

Website Management

• Support website strategy, functionality, performance, and content
• Create and post effective, timely, and accurate SEO content on the UIDP website via WordPress
• Coordinate with external agencies to maintain maximum usability of the UIDP website
• Support the completion of a refresh of the website

Email

• Create automated email campaigns
• Create and analyze content for monthly newsletters and other communications of interest to the UIDP community
• Create and monitor messaging for event marketing campaigns

Advertising

• Create effective digital advertisements via Google AdWords, Facebook, and LinkedIn

Writing and Editing

• Write and edit compelling content for all marketing platforms
• Write creative, approachable, conversational content about unfamiliar topics
• Write video scripts
• Edit conference and project reports and work with designers to translate project outputs into infographics, templates, and other support media
• Create brief surveys, then analyze and disseminate results

Metrics

• Track, analyze, and report metrics across all marketing activities and make recommendations for improvements

Other

• Provide support for UIDP events as needed, including content creation for event-related emails, event reports, live tweeting, etc.
• Manage external suppliers such as photographers, videographers, designers, and digital marketing agencies
• Maintain promotional calendars
• Oversee video and photo library, including uploading and organizing event photos and videos

The Ideal Candidate: Humble – Hungry – Smart

You are comfortable with changes in course and circumstances. You have an uncanny ability to pivot focus and resources as tasks dictate. You are an experienced and confident writer and communicator, eager to refine your capabilities and learn new tools and technologies. You are meticulous about details and provide valuable input to projects. You work hard, smart, and efficiently, and you can take an idea and run with it with minimal supervision. You take on your role with enthusiasm and enjoy providing support to the team. You are meticulous in your organizational skills and meet all deadlines expeditiously. You seek opportunities to contribute to the organization’s success and be recognized for it.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field.
• Minimum four years of relevant experience in marketing, advertising, public relations, or a related field.
• Experienced in managing and customizing WordPress sites with a strong working knowledge of the platform.

Requirements:

• Must provide samples from previous communications-related work or projects (e.g., video production, published articles [online or print], communications on behalf of an organization, or other communications activities).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effectively communicating with internal teams, external stakeholders, and target audiences. This includes crafting compelling messaging, presentations, and marketing materials.
• Effective project management skills, including prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines while overseeing multiple marketing communications projects.
• Basic photo and video editing skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software
• Impeccable customer service skills and responsive attitude
• The ability to adapt to changing priorities, navigate ambiguity, and thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Some occasional travel may be required

Additional Desired Skills

• Association membership marketing
• Long-form writing for general audiences (white papers, articles, blogs) as well as social media and marketing copy
• Working in Adobe Creative Suite

Who We Are

UIDP (www.uidp.org) is a global nonprofit membership association that helps great innovation companies and world-class research universities develop new and better collaboration approaches. UIDP is a recognized convener of thought leaders and practitioners, identifying high-impact strategies so companies and universities (along with other interested parties) can improve the return on investment from their partnerships. UIDP’s operating model is based on agility and producing high-quality products that meet the community's needs.

The selected candidate will be part of a team of professionals and report to the Senior Manager for Marketing and Communications.

Why Join UIDP?

• Impact: Be part of nationally significant initiatives reshaping research partnerships at a time of critical need.
• Visibility: Work directly with senior leaders from world-class organizations.
• Growth: Gain unmatched exposure to cross-sector collaboration and leadership development opportunities.
• Mission-driven culture: Join a team passionate about advancing university–industry partnerships to accelerate innovation and societal impact.
• This isn’t just a managerial role—it’s an opportunity to be at the heart of a transformational movement that is redefining how the U.S. tackles the challenges of tomorrow.

Location

This position is located in Columbia, SC, USA. UIDP operates under a hybrid work schedule, and staff work 3-4 days/week in the office.

Compensation & Benefits

This full-time, exempt position offers a competitive salary that reflects the value we place on our team members’ contributions. In addition to financial compensation, we provide a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your overall well-being and work-life balance. This includes comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance to ensure you are covered.

We also offer a robust retirement plan to help you plan for your future, as well as generous paid time off that encourages you to recharge and enjoy personal time. At UIDP, we are committed to fostering the professional development of our employees by providing opportunities for training, workshops, and mentorship programs that facilitate their professional growth.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Are you experienced in managing and customizing WordPress sites with a strong working knowledge of the platform?
• Are you a resident of SC and willing to work in our downtown Columbia office 3-4 days per week?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• marketing, advertising, public relations: 4 years (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Columbia, SC 29201