Communications Specialist - Hybrid Schedule

Department: MED-Basic Science Admin
Salary/Grade: EXS/7

Target hiring range for this position will be between $63,079-$78,849 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Job Summary:

The Communications Specialist in Basic Science Administration (BSA) is responsible for all marketing, outreach and communications activities for the BSA administrative group, as well as the five departments, four centers and an institute that BSA supports. This includes, but is not limited to, maintaining department websites and listservs, updating, and communicating news and events, department newsletters, social media, coordinating and managing individual department seminars, and other appropriate communications through Feinberg School of Medicine (FSM) and the NU community at-large. The Content Specialist works to ensure consistent messaging across all forms of communication while adhering to Northwestern Medicine (NM) and FSM branding guidelines. The Communications Specialist reports to the BSA Department Administrator 4 and will work closely with each department Chair and faculty, in conjunction with FSM-Communications to develop and implement communications and outreach strategies that support the mission of each unit and Feinberg.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Creates & implements program/project brand identity and marketing & advertising strategy.
• Oversees marketing of new and current programs, working with partner institutions & media to ensure marketing plan effectively targets applicants, sponsors, etc. Manages planning and arrangement of meetings, workshops, events, etc. designed to exchange information, promote research objectives, and to build internal and external relationships within NU.
• Manages event details including communication, venues, presenters, travel arrangements, materials, refreshments and technology are arranged and completed in an appropriate and timely manner. Ensures that all advertising and marketing materials accurately represent programs.
• Coordinates with Chairs' and Center Directors' assistants on promotion and branding requirements to ensure consistency across all Basic Science departments and centers and maximizes appropriate usage of BSA listservs
• Manages endowed and showcase department/center outreach events such as Silverstein and Scott Lecture Series, Mouse Genetics Group Lecture & Poster Competition, Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling annual Human Genetics & Genomics course and other internal and public-facing outreach/education events
• Develops and maintains department websites, ensuring dynamic content and applications and ease/practicality of use for targeted audiences and objectives.
• Activities include, but are not limited to: coordinating regular updates of faculty research blocks and profiles, assisting faculty with creation of laboratory websites, posting faculty recruitment opportunities, writing and editing news features, and designing event announcements. Identifies, writes and edits stories for website distribution.
• Collaborates with faculty and administration on key initiatives for publication, including faculty awards, research activities and educational series.
• Creates marketing, communications and public relations activities, events, presentations, etc.
• Develops materials such as programs, posters, invitations, etc.
• Markets & promotes using advertising, broadcast email, websites, social media, etc.
• Develop and maintain a BSA Communications and Outreach manual to standardize and document best practices.
• Supports and coordinates stewardship information related to endowment activities.
• Serves as liaison to the FSM Office of Communications to ensure compliance with communication and brand identity guidelines.
• Serve as primary contact and provide assistance in rolling out FSM communication initiatives and evolving internal and external communication platforms.
• Attend regular FSM Communications meetings and training opportunities to continuously develop skills in website development, content development/management, etc.
• Coordinates internal and external communication efforts to clarify and promote department as the umbrella of the constituent academic departments and centers.
• Identify areas of opportunity for department branding, developing best practices and standards for communication.
• Provide support to department chairs, center directors and senior administration in drafting and editing internal and external correspondence, including nominations, reference letters, and other forms of publication.
• Activities include, but are not limited to: launching a monthly BSA newsletter and transitioning BSA website to an intranet platform.
• Works closely with department chairs and center directors on formulating correspondence to faculty and staff to capture requests, policy changes and/or school requirements in a clear and concise manner
• Works closely with FSM and the EDA to support mission and vision and to craft effective correspondence to push out to faculty and staff regarding policy changes, new requirements and requests for information

Miscellaneous

Performed other duties

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 3-5 years prior marketing communications experience,

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Strong written and public communications skills
• Proficient in software tools required to perform activities, including MS Office, Adobe Creative Suite, general web development knowledge
• Creative, resourceful and independent
• Strong organizational skills

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Marketing and communications experience in non-profit and/or health care environment

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Social networking tool experience (including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc.)
• Basic project management knowledge

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

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