Director University Remote Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $107,029.00 - $149,448.00 Annually
Location : Lansing, MI
Job Type: Permanent Full Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 1801-26-EXE OP-COMMS-008
Department: LEO-Labor and Econ Opportunity
Opening Date: 07/27/2026
Closing Date: 8/11/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit: NON-EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTED EMPLOYEE (NERE)
Job Description
At the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, we are passionate about creating a positive, professional, and supportive work environment where we value our differences and are committed to being open and respectful to all our employees and the public we serve. Our department provides the connections, expertise and innovative solutions to drive continued business growth, build vibrant communities, create affordable housing, generate tourism and attract and retain key talent to fill Michigan's vast pipeline of opportunities. Learn more at
The Deputy Communications Director will report to the Director of Communications and is responsible for the oversight of the day-to-day operations of the communications team as well as the department's marketing budgets and contracts. In this role the incumbent will manage the team and oversee preparation and updates for a wide variety of public information regarding department and state business including news releases, press conferences, newsletters, articles, events and promotional materials. This position will also be responsible for the development and oversight of the department's annual communication plan. This role is also responsible for the oversight and ongoing paid marketing activities and budgets, working closely with department leadership to ensure projects are on budget, meeting department goals and objectives, and delivered in a timely manner. This requires frequent meetings and oversight with contracted marketing agencies as well as department purchasing and finance staff.
There is a possibility of a remote/hybrid schedule based on performance and operational need. However, all work must be performed in Michigan. If you currently reside outside of Michigan, you must relocate to Michigan to perform the duties of this position.
Required Education and Experience
Education
Possession of a bachelor's degree in any major.
Experience
Five years of professional experience, including two years equivalent to a specialist or manager at the 13-level or higher.
Alternate Education and Experience
State Administrative Manager 16
Education level typically acquired through completion of high school and three years of safety and regulatory or law enforcement experience at the 14 level; or, two years of safety and regulatory or law enforcement experience at the 15 level, may be substituted for the education and experience requirements.
Additional Requirements and Information
Please attach a cover letter, detailed resume, and your official college transcript(s) to your application. For our purposes, "official college transcripts" must contain the college/university name and address, the degree conferred, date granted, coursework completed (especially if no degree granted), and the Registrar's signature and/or seal. A scanned or electronic copy is acceptable, if it contains the elements listed above. The college/university does not have to send the transcript directly to LEO. For more information regarding official transcripts,
Applicants who possess a degree from a foreign college or university must have their academic credentials evaluated or converted into U.S. educational equivalents unless the degree has been recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Go to for a list of accepted organizations that evaluate foreign credentials. Failure to provide this evaluation at the time of application may result in you being screened out of the process.
Information provided in your application, resume, cover letter, transcripts, and any other documentation provided will be used to verify responses to the supplemental questions. Unsupported responses may not be considered further.
All classified employees are subject to and will be expected to disclose any personal and financial interests that may conflict with official duties as a classified employee.
All newly hired state employees are required to submit and pass a pre-employment drug test prior to their actual appointment. Certain positions within the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity may also require state criminal, fingerprint-based and driving record background checks. Any position offer will be conditional until results of the background checks and drug test indicate eligibility for employment.
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity participates in and will provide the federal government with your form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
Applications must be submitted through NEOGOV. If you have questions or need assistance uploading and/or attaching your documents, please contact the NEOGOV applicant support at 855-524-5627.
View the job specification at:
Accommodations
If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact the for the agency that posted this position vacancy.
State employment also offers rewarding careers where you can help Michiganders enjoy better lives. Many State of Michigan jobs offer alternate work schedules and remote-work options that can help give the flexibility you need. The State of Michigan has been recognized as a leading U.S. employer by new graduates from 2021-2023 and a best large U.S. and state employer. Recognized on the international stage for fostering positive employee engagement, the State of Michigan is a past recipient of a North America Government Agency Employees Engagement Award.
More details on benefits for our new hires are below:
Rewarding Work: State of Michigan jobs allow you to serve Michiganders in many different ways depending on your interests and skills. Help preserve and protect our environment and the public health; enforce state laws and regulations; advocate for children, families, and victims of discrimination; support our state's military and veterans; rebuild our state's infrastructure; or support other state agencies through our fiscal, IT, and HR systems.
Insurance Benefits: The State of Michigan offers health, mental health, dental, and vision insurance to eligible career employees, their spouses, and their children. The state also covers a life-insurance benefit of two times employees' annual salary (up to $200,000). The state also offers long-term-disability insurance that can provide continuing benefits if an injury or illness prevents employees from working. More information is available at www.mi.gov/employeebenefits.
Retirement Programs: The State of Michigan offers 401(k) and 457 plans for new hires to save for retirement. The state will automatically contribute an amount equal to 4% of your pay to a 401(k) account. The state will also match up to 5% of your pay if you contribute to your 401(k) account. Your contributions vest immediately, and the state's contributions fully vest after just 4 years. More information is available at http://www.mi.gov/orsstatedc.
Vacation and Sick Leave: Eligible full-time employees receive between 15 and 35 personal days and 13 sick days per year that may be rolled over to the following year if not used. Eligible employees also receive an additional day each year for community service or school functions.
Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees can take 12 weeks of paid leave immediately after a birth or adoption to allow needed time together at home with a new child.
Paid Holidays: Eligible employees receive 13 or 14 paid holidays each year including New Year's Eve and Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve and Day.
Bonus Programs: Eligible employees with five years of service also receive annual longevity bonuses that grow as seniority increases. Some positions also may qualify for recruitment, retention, and performance bonuses or other special pay premiums.
Military Pay Differential: Employees in the guard or reserves may also qualify for supplemental pay benefits if miliary pay during qualifying duty is less than normal state pay. Prior military service may also allow seniority credits to accelerate eligibility for longevity bonuses and additional personal leave accrual.
Tax-Advantaged Programs: In addition to 401(k) and 457 retirement accounts, the state also offers flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), and qualified transportation fringe benefit (QTFB) programs that can help you save money by reducing your taxable income.
Student Loan Forgiveness: Working for the State of Michigan may allow you to participate in programs that forgive the balance of qualifying student loans. Please view Student Loan Information to help determine if you could qualify is available from the U.S. Department of Education.
Tuition Reduction: Some colleges and universities offer savings to eligible employees and family members to further their education while working for the State of Michigan.
Professional Development: To help develop your career, programs are available to apply for reimbursement of up to $2,000 a year for education and training for college course credits and non-degree programs.
Alternative and Remote Work Schedules: Depending on the nature of their duties, many state jobs offer flexible work schedules and remote or hybrid telecommuting options that can help obtain the work-life balance that you seek.
Great Lakes and Great Times: Michigan boasts four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, 20 million acres of forests, 100 state and national parks and recreation areas, 1,300 miles of bike trails, 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, the second-most ski areas in the nation, 650 public golf courses, 600 campgrounds, and an international dark-sky park-just for starters. Our cities offer concerts and cultural events, storied sports teams, education hubs, vibrant downtowns, one-of-a-kind craft beverages, and renowned restaurants for every appetite. From urban centers to beach towns to the great outdoors, the opportunities are endless. With your state salary and benefits and Michigan's affordable cost of living, you can explore all that Michigan has to offer.
Updated: 2/28/24
01
STDDADM2 - Do you possess one of the following?A bachelor's degree or higher in any major AND five years of professional experience, including at least two years of professional experience equivalent to a specialist or manager at the 13 level or higher. If so, please attach a copy of your official transcripts.OR At least one year of professional experience in the state classified service AND five years of professional experience, including at least two years of professional experience equivalent to a specialist or manager at the 13 level or higher.ORAt least an educational level typically acquired through completion of high school AND at least three years of safety and regulatory or law enforcement experience at the 14 level.ORAt least an educational level typically acquired through completion of high school AND at least two years of safety and regulatory or law enforcement experience at the 15 level.

• Yes
• No

02
How many years of experience do you have supervising communications staff or leading a communications team?

• No experience
• Less than 2 years
• 2 to 4 years
• 5 to 6 years
• Greater than 6 years

03
How many years of experience do you have overseeing large-scale marketing projects directly or indirectly with a contracted vendor?

• No experience
• Less than 2 years
• 2 to 4 years
• 5 to 6 years
• Greater than 6 years

04
Which of the following communications functions have you led? (Select all that apply.)

• Media relations
• Executive communications/speechwriting
• Internal communications
• Digital and social media strategy
• Marketing campaigns
• Website/content strategy
• Public engagement/community outreach
• Crisis communications
• Brand management
• NONE

05
Describe your experience developing and implementing strategic communications plans for a large organization. Include the size of the organization, your role, and measurable results. If no experience, please type "N/a".
06
1801 Recruitment - To collect LEO recruitment effort data, please select from below how you learned of this job opportunity. We appreciate the feedback!

• College/University Career Services Office
• College/University Career Fair
• Employee Referral
• GONGWER Capitol Jobs Marketplace
• Handshake
• Michigan Civil Service Office of Career Services
• Michigan Works! Agency
• Other Job Posting Site (Indeed, ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn, etc.)
• Pure Michigan Talent Connect
• NEOGOV job alert
• Veterans Organization
• X (previously Twitter)

07
1801 Recruitment - If you selected Other Job Posting, Veteran's Organization, or Employee Referral in the previous question, please identify the source or employee name for which you learned of this opportunity.
08
1801- From the options below, which accurately describes your current status? (A current State employee works for an actual State Department such as Department of Corrections (MDOC), Department of Transportation (MDOT) etc.)

• Not a State of Michigan employee
• A previous St