Department: Provost's Office/CBC
Salary/Grade: EXS/9

Job Summary:

The Associate Director of Communications and Digital Strategy for the Chicago Biomedical Consortium (CBC) will have extensive database skills, a strong technical background including versatility with social media platforms, customer relationship management, and content creation skills. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing a strategic communications platform, building public visibility, and supporting the CBCs marketing efforts, including customer relationship management, outreach, and strategic fundraising. This role requires excellent written and verbal communication skills, a strong command of life sciences and early science commercialization, an understanding of marketing strategies, and the ability to communicate complex technical information to a non-technical audience. This role reports to the CBC Executive Director.

**PLEASE NOTE: This position is a part-time (25 hours/week), two-year term appointment, with potential for renewal.

*Note:  Not all aspects of the job are covered by this job description.

Specific Responsibilities:

�       Lead the development of CBCs strategic communications plan for both internal and external audiences.

�       Develop and execute marketing strategies to promote our programs and services, with a focus on customer relationship management and fundraising.

�       Manage and maintain databases for communications, outreach, events, and fundraising including customer relationship management and pipelines.

�       Develop and write clear and concise science-related content for various media platforms and audiences.

�       Communicate complex technical information to a non-technical audience through writing and presentations.

�       Collaborate with the CBC team members to help them leverage the latest digital tools and platforms developments for both back end and front-end communications.

�       Develop and implement internal and external communication plans, with a focus on stakeholder engagement and fundraising efforts. Coordinate with the CBC Institutions Media Relations offices for CBC press releases.

�       Monitor and measure the success of communication and outreach efforts, including events and programming satisfaction, and fundraising results, and provide recommendations for improvement.

�       Leverage and develop best practices for audience engagement including the production of messages and an ongoing content calendar and communications timeline for diverse audiences.

�       Serve as communications advisor to the CBC Executive Director.

�       Partner with communications colleagues across the CBC universities, including CBC program partners and CBC sponsors.

�       Create and manage the production of print, photographic, and web materials, including reports, briefs, and presentations. This includes acting as primary writer and editor of science content, in conjunction with CBC Executive Director and CBC staff; proposing and creating content; and consulting writers, designers, and content experts, as needed.

�       Identify and deploy strategies for increasing CBCs social media presence with a goal of enhancing the CBCs visibility, community reach, and thought leadership. Track and report relevant metrics.

�       Support website updates and day-to-day management of content, in collaboration with the CBCs AD of Communication and Events. Contribute and curate content, editing, and updating for consistency and accuracy.

�       Serve as a liaison among the CBC Institutions offices fostering Institutional Diversity and Inclusion to manage internal outreach, promotion, events, and announcements. Coordinate with communication leaders on internal and external outreach, media, and public relations activities.

�       Promote positive, productive relationships with the community and stakeholders.

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

�       PhD in life sciences preferred, or similar background with experience in communications. Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired through completion of a four-year college degree program in a communications-related field such as journalism, communications, marketing, or related; OR through experience in a field which appropriately corresponds to the description of responsibilities.

�       A minimum of 3-5 years writing, editorial, publication, with extensive experience managing databases and customer relationship management.

�       Excellent writing skills, with a focus on science writing, a strong command of life sciences and early science commercialization, an understanding of marketing strategies, and the ability to communicate complex technical information to a non-technical audience. Demonstrated ability to serve as primary author of a significant document.

�       Strong communication and presentation skills.

�       Strong digital and technical skills, including experience with marketing automation tools and fundraising software.

�       Demonstrated Social Media acumen and skills.

�       Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to manage the relationships and input from multiple constituents at varying levels of appointment.

�       Strong organizational skills. Ability to manage multiple, complex tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines.

�       Demonstrated Project management skills. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously to assure an integrated, high-quality final product.

�       Experience working in nonprofit, education, and/or similar environments.

The target hiring range for this part-time position will be between $57,000 - $65,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicants education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

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 lifes 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 youre 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.
  

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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.

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