Department: MED-Inst for Pub Health & Med
Salary/Grade: EXS/7

Job Summary:

Under the general direction of the Director of the Institute for Public Health and Medicine (IPHAM), the Communications Specialist is responsible for overseeing all communications activities for the Institute and for proving communications assistance to the 16 Centers that fall under the Institute. This position executes a comprehensive communication strategy based on specific goals and strategic vision. The Communications Specialist provides overall management of the Institute’s content across publications, websites, social media, and additional promotional channels. Activities include: 1) managing the Institute’s communications channels, including a weekly newsletter, the website, and social media presence; 2) planning and promoting the weekly seminar series; 3) liaising with communications staff across IPHAM Centers and throughout Feinberg to ensure consistent and cohesive messaging; 4) ensuring consistent and comprehensive dissemination of all news, events, research, and media coverage to a wide variety of audiences including the public, students, faculty, alumni, and the internal and external education community at large; 5) participating on the planning committee to execute the yearly IPHAM Population Health Forum. When necessary, the Communications Specialist will also assign writing and design projects as needed to internal and external writers, editors, and designers. Additionally, the Communications Specialist provides editing and writing support to faculty within the Institute for grants and manuscripts. This position requires an accomplished communication strategist with broad-based responsibilities for writing and editing in a variety of media, including substantial interactive presence.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage a comprehensive communications strategy based on specific center goals and strategic vision.
• Provide management of overall Communications content across print/interactive.
• Serves as main writer and editor for the Institute’s media content.
• Consistently monitor all communication vehicles and update and synchronize in order to present a cohesive and comprehensive message.
• Provide grant- and manuscript-writing support to IPHAM faculty

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field with three to five years writing, editorial and publications experience.
• Working knowledge of web/social media communication techniques. Must be able to work with School of Medicine leadership to communicate the Institute’s content to multiple constituencies.

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

• Excellent writing and editing skills.  Demonstrated advanced communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to research and write about technical matters for a general population.
• Demonstrated ability to assist in the development and communication of high-level strategic goals.
• Must have project management and organizational skills and the demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
• Must be self-directed and able to work in a team-based environment with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in an appropriate field and knowledge of higher education, research and/or healthcare.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! 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 strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.
  

#LI-GS1

About Northwestern University

Northwestern University is a major private research university with 12 academic divisions located on three campuses in Evanston, Chicago, and Education City in Doha, Qatar. We have approximately 2,500 full-time faculty members, 17,000 graduate and undergraduate students, and over 5,700 full and part-time staff. Northwestern University combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment. It provides students and faculty exceptional opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional growth.

Connections working at Northwestern University