Marketing & Communications Manager, NSF Carolinas Grid Engine

About this role

• The NSF Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas is a two-state innovation ecosystem accelerating the modernization, resilience, and security of the nation's electric grid.
• Led by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and joined by Clemson University, the South Carolina Research Authority, York Technical College, Joules Accelerator, and more than 100 public and private partners, the Engine was selected by the National Science Foundation as one of the nation's Regional Innovation Engines and is backed by up to $160 million in federal support over 10 years.
• Serving a 36-county region across North and South Carolina, the Engine advances use-inspired research, translation of innovation to practice, workforce development, and cross-sector partnerships in collaboration with leading utilities and global manufacturers.
• The initiative is projected to generate an estimated 20,000 new jobs and $2 billion in regional economic activity.
• **Primary Purpose of Position** The Marketing and Communications Manager leads and manages all marketing and communications functions for the Carolinas Grid Engine, building the initiative's brand, voice, and national visibility as it moves from federal award into execution.
• Reporting to the Chief Operating & Ecosystem Development Officer, this position owns the Engine's brand identity, digital presence, and stakeholder communications - including full responsibility for the carolinasgridengine.com website and for the Engine's HubSpot marketing and CRM platform.
• The Manager develops and executes integrated campaigns that drive partner engagement, support workforce and entrepreneurship pipelines, elevate research and commercialization outcomes, and position the Engine as a nationally recognized leader in grid modernization.
• This position works in close partnership with UNC Charlotte University Communications to ensure alignment with university and Engine brand standards, media relations protocols, and institutional messaging, while maintaining a distinct identity for the Engine and coordinating across the communications staff of more than 100 partner organizations.
• The successful candidate is a capable individual contributor and strategist who can both set direction and personally produce high-quality work in a newly formed organization.
• **Summary of Position Responsibilities** The Marketing and Communications Manager leads and manages all marketing and communications functions for the Carolinas Grid Engine, building the initiative's brand, voice, and national visibility as it moves from federal award into execution.
• **Marketing & Communications Strategy** * Develop, lead, and execute the Engine's integrated marketing and communications strategy in support of research translation, workforce development, ecosystem growth, and partner engagement objectives.
• * Establish and steward the Engine's brand identity, messaging architecture, voice, and visual standards across all channels and partner touchpoints.
• * Build audience-specific communications strategies for distinct stakeholder groups including utilities, manufacturers and industry partners, startups and entrepreneurs, universities and technical colleges, workforce and community organizations, economic development agencies, policymakers, and the general public.
• * Develop and manage the annual marketing and communications plan, editorial calendar, and campaign roadmap aligned to Engine milestones and NSF reporting periods.
• * Establish key performance indicators for marketing and communications activity; track, analyze, and report on performance to Engine leadership.
• **Website Ownership & Digital Presence** * Serve as owner and primary manager of the carolinasgridengine.com website, including content strategy, information architecture, editorial calendar, publishing, and ongoing maintenance.
• * Plan and manage website updates, enhancements, and redesign efforts; coordinate with web developers, designers, and vendors as needed.
• * Ensure the website meets accessibility standards, brand requirements, search optimization best practices, and applicable university and federal guidelines.
• * Manage the Engine's social media presence and channel strategy, including content development, publishing, community engagement, and performance monitoring.
• * Maintain and grow the Engine's digital asset library including photography, video, graphics, presentation templates, and collateral.
• **HubSpot Platform Leadership** * Serve as the primary practitioner for the Engine's HubSpot marketing and CRM platform, including configuration, workflows, integrations, and ongoing platform governance.
• * Build and manage contact databases, audience lists, and segmentation strategies covering partners, prospects, event attendees, workforce participants, and other stakeholder groups.
• * Design, execute, and optimize email campaigns, newsletters, landing pages, forms, and automated nurture workflows.
• * Develop HubSpot dashboards and reporting to track engagement, campaign performance, pipeline activity, and partner touchpoints; deliver regular insights to leadership.
• * Coordinate HubSpot usage and data practices with the Chief Operating Officer, ecosystem development staff, and partner-facing team members to ensure the platform functions as a shared 'matchmaking' and engagement system for the Engine.
• * Establish and maintain data quality standards, privacy practices, and compliance with applicable regulations and university policies.
• **Content Development & Storytelling** * Write, edit, and produce high-quality content including press releases, feature stories, impact narratives, case studies, newsletters, blog posts, executive talking points, presentations, fact sheets, and annual reports.
• * Translate complex technical work in grid modernization, energy research, and advanced manufacturing into clear, compelling narratives for non-technical audiences.
• * Capture and elevate stories of regional impact including job creation, workforce pathways, startup formation, technology deployment, and community outcomes across the 36-county service region.
• * Develop content supporting NSF reporting, stakeholder briefings, funder communications, and external accountability for Engine outcomes.
• **Media & External Relations** * Manage proactive media relations in coordination with UNC Charlotte University Communications, including media outreach, pitching, press materials, and interview coordination.
• * Serve as a communications point of contact for media inquiries; prepare Engine leadership and subject matter experts for interviews and public appearances.
• * Build the Engine's national visibility through thought leadership placement, conference presence, industry publications, and strategic communications opportunities.
• * Support crisis and issues communications planning in coordination with university communications leadership.
• **Partner & Institutional Coordination** * Work closely with UNC Charlotte University Communications to ensure alignment with university brand standards, approval processes, media protocols, and institutional priorities.
• * Coordinate communications activity across partner organizations, including Clemson University, the South Carolina Research Authority, York Technical College, utilities, industry partners, and community organizations.
• * Develop brand guidelines, co-branding standards, templates, and toolkits enabling consistent representation of the Engine across the partner network.
• * Ensure appropriate acknowledgment of National Science Foundation support across all Engine communications consistent with federal requirements.
• **Events & Convenings** * Partner with the Engine's Project Manager to plan, promote, and execute meetings, working groups, partner convenings, workshops, site visits, and public events.
• * Lead event marketing including promotion, registration campaigns, materials, signage, and post-event communications and follow-up.
• * Support preparation and communications for NSF site visits, sponsor engagements, and high-profile stakeholder visits.
• **General Engine Support** * Support the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer with executive communications, briefing materials, and presentation development.
• * Manage marketing and communications vendors, contractors, agencies, and freelance support as needed within approved budget.
• * Contribute to the Engine's annual budget planning for marketing and communications activity.
• * Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Engine's mission and operations.
• **Minimum Education/Experience** * Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field.
• * Minimum of five years of progressive professional experience in marketing, communications, or public relations, including experience owning strategy and execution.
• * Or, a combination of education and experience.
• **Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills and Experience** * Minimum of five years of progressive professional experience in marketing, communications, or public relations, including experience owning strategy and execution.
• * Demonstrated hands-on experience managing websites (WordPress), including content management, publishing, and coordination of design or development resources.
• * Direct working experience with HubSpot or a comparable marketing automation and CRM platform, including campaign execution, list management, workflows, and reporting.
• * Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to produce publication-quality content for varied audiences.
• * Experience developing and executing multi-channel marketing campaigns and measuring their performance.
• * Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and deadlines with a high degree of independence and accuracy.
• * Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across organizations, disciplines, and levels of seniority.
• * Ability to work onsite at UNC Charlotte Center City and to travel occasionally within the 36-county service region across North and South Carolina.
• * Portfolio of writing and campaign work required as part of the application or interview process.
• **PREFERRED****QUALIFICATIONS** * HubSpot certifications (Marketing Hub, Content Marketing, Email Marketing, or equivalent).
• * Experience communicating technical, scientific, or engineering subject matter to general and business audiences.
• * Familiarity with the energy, electric utility, advanced manufacturing, or technology sectors.
• * Experience within a higher education, research institution, or federally funded program environment.
• * Familiarity with federal sponsor acknowledgment and communications requirements, including NSF guidelines.
• * Experience supporting multi-organization coalitions, consortia, or public-private partnerships.
• * Working proficiency with design and production tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or comparable platforms.
• * Experience with video production, photography, or multimedia content development.
• * Media relations experience including established relationships with regional or trade press.
• * Experience with web accessibility standards and search engine optimization.
• **KNOWLEDGE****,** **SKILLS** **&** **ABILITIES** * Strategic and hands-on - sets communications direction and personally produces the work in a lean, newly formed organization.
• * Translator - renders complex technical and research content into clear, compelling narrative for non-expert audiences.
• * Brand steward - maintains consistency and quality across many contributors and partner organizations.
• * Data-informed - uses platform analytics and campaign metrics to guide decisions and demonstrate impact.
• * Collaborative diplomat - navigates university processes and partner interests while advancing the Engine's distinct identity.
• * Adaptable - thrives in an environment where systems, processes, and brand are actively being built.
• **ADDITIONAL****INFORMATION** This position is contingent upon continued funding from the National Science Foundation.
• The Carolinas Grid Engine is administered through the University of North Carolina at Charlotte; employment terms, benefits, and conditions follow applicable university policies.
• **The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is an equal opportunity employer.
• All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.** **Necessary Certifications/Licenses** **Preferred Certifications/Licenses** HubSpot certifications (Marketing Hub, Content Marketing, Email Marketing, or equivalent).
• **Special Notes to Applicants** **ADDITIONAL****INFORMATION** **Please upload a portfolio of writing and campaign work as part of the application process.** This position is contingent upon continued funding from the National Science Foundation.
• The Carolinas Grid Engine is administered through the University of North Carolina at Charlotte; employment terms, benefits, and conditions follow applicable university policies.
• **The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is an equal opportunity employer.
• All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.** * **If there is a document you feel is relevant to this position that you would like reviewed with your resume and application, you may upload it to the "Other Documents" section of the Applicant Documents.** * **The finalist will be subject to a Criminal Background Check and/or a Motor Vehicle Report** * **The Search Committee will not contact references without first verifying permission with the finalist.** * **Please ensure your resume reflects the knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences to support your answers to the supplemental questions.** * **UNC** **Charlotte Benefits Information:** **https://hr.charlotte.edu/benefits/benefits-overview/** **Posting Open Date** 10/15/2026 **Posting Close Date** **Open Until Filled** Yes **Proposed Hire Date** 12/01/2026 **If time-limited please indicate appointment end date** 08/31/2028 **Contact Information**

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