Details
Posted: 27-Jul-22
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Type: Full-time
Salary: Open
Location: Chicago, IL
Job Description:
- Builds a comprehensive communications strategy for the UChicago Urban Network to drive strategic priorities and unify messaging.
- Enhances both the visibility and impact of each of the individual units that together comprise and contribute to the UChicago Urban Network.
- Manages a communications strategic plan to ensure UChicago is a top-of-mind destination and resource for faculty, students, partners, donors, policymakers, and others interested in learning more about how to make an impact on urban-related challenges.
- Ensures that key constituencies understand the comprehensiveness, uniqueness, and importance of UChicagoâ™s Urban focus through frequent outreach and communications.
- Builds consensus and brings people together around unified urban themes and outreach.
- Works closely with the Manager of Media Relations for the UChicago Urban Network to identify and communicate urban-related news stories.
- Partners with the Office of Federal Relations to identify key stakeholders and other constituents to increase the visibility of the achievements of our research and initiatives.
- Evaluates urban research, initiatives, and other project activities to help convey the collective strength and expertise of the individual units.
- Convenes internal and external stakeholders to provide counsel and guidance on strategic plans, programming, and events.
- Leads cross-departmental teams for announcements and leadership communications concerning key UChicago Urban priorities.
- Writes, assigns, or collaborates on messaging, presentations, web content, and op-eds or other pieces for external media.
- In partnership with University Communications, coordinates crisis communications involving the UChicago Urban Network or emerging issues that affect its reputation.
- Develops, plans, and disseminates information designed to keep the public informed of the organization's programs, accomplishments, or point of view.
- Makes contributions to the media interface, including writing press releases, planning and organizing media coverage for major events, and crafting responses to sensitive or controversial issues.
- Solves moderate to complex problems related to the writing, preparation, and/or delivery of information from or about the unit.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Experience:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
- Professional experience in relevant communications, public relations, or related roles; includes public policy, government relations and/or advocacy communications and experience.
- Familiarity with urban-related research and initiatives as well as issues facing urban communities in areas including education, housing, policy, sustainability/environment, social and health sciences, and the arts and humanities.
- Develop strategic communications plans and messages.
- Experience in managing communications in a complex environment.
- Demonstrated ability to influence people to meet goals and deadlines and work collaboratively with senior leadership, consultants, colleagues, and other constituents.
- Working with or for governments, NGOs, think tanks, or other public policy entities.
- Overseeing production of marketing and communication materials.
Technical Skills or Knowledge:
- A working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint as well as social media and web tools.
- Create distinctive PowerPoint presentations.
Preferred Competencies
- High-level strategic planning to shape events and issues through proactive messaging and outreach.
- Exceptional oral and written communications skills for the effective delivery of the UChicago Urban Networkâ™s priorities.
- Act as a liaison between the UChicago Urban Network and various external agencies, organizations, and institutions with whom the UChicago Urban Network may collaborate.
- Work effectively across the University, including faculty and staff across units.
- Possess the skills and willingness to take initiative and proactively anticipate organizational needs.
- Exceptional time, project management and organizational skills including the ability to meet external and internal deadlines.
- Work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
Application Documents
- Resume/CV (required)
- Cover Letter (required)
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form.
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