Department: School of Professional Studies
Salary/Grade: EXS/6

Elevate Student Experiences as a Student Communications & Technology Specialist at Northwestern University

Are you an exceptional communicator with a passion for utilizing cutting-edge technology to create meaningful connections? Do you have a knack for crafting engaging and impactful messages? Northwestern University's School of Professional Studies (SPS) is seeking a talented Student Communications and Technology Specialist to join our team in Chicago, IL.

Why Northwestern University? At Northwestern School of Professional Studies, we believe in transforming education through innovative approaches. As a Student Communications & Technology Specialist, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping the communication landscape for our students, ensuring receive timely and relevant information through digital channels.

Position Highlights:

�       Strategic Communication: Design, execute, and evaluate impactful communication campaigns tailored to diverse student audiences. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure messages resonate and engage.

�       Technology Leadership: Take the reins of essential communication platforms, including Student Services ConnectNU, Constant Contact, web tools, AI chat-bots, and more. Be the driving force behind seamless student experiences.

�       Metrics-Driven Insights: Analyze communication data to refine strategies and achieve optimum outreach effectiveness. Your insights will steer continuous improvement.

�       Content Coordination: Be the linchpin of consistency, ensuring messaging coherence across all communication channels and platforms.

�       Student-Centric Approach: Tune efforts to student needs, monitoring satisfaction and crafting communications that resonate.

Job Summary:

This communications and communications-technology professional will be responsible for delivering high-quality communications for SPS students across digital channels. The role will:

�       Design, plan, execute, manage, and measure messaging sent to targeted student populations on behalf of the Student Services team in alignment with other Northwestern and SPS communications

�       Manage technology platforms SPS students depend on for information

�       Build, track, and assess communications metrics to improve effectiveness

�       Provide quality control and coordination of content between all communications tools and platforms for consistency and desired impact

Please note: Workspaces are in Chicago and shared. Laptop provided. Some evening and weekends are required. Hybrid work schedule (2 days in office; 3 days remote) is the norm but a privilege; days in the office are set, and at times additional presence in the office will be required as dictated by task requirements, team meetings, supervisor requests, etc.

Specific Responsibilities:

�       Design, plan, execute, manage, and measure student communications to a variety of student populations. Manage simultaneous communications initiatives. Work with multiple stakeholders to consistently plan, design, and develop timely and accurate content for students.

�       Function as a lead administrator of communications technology including, but not limited to, Student Services ConnectNU instance, Constant Contact platform, webpages, AI chat-bots, Guidebook, and student-facing app.

�       Provide quality control and ongoing coordination between all communications tools for consistency and desired impact.

�       Continuously improve initiatives and processes. Research and stay up-to-date with latest trends, and technology in communications. Recommend ways to optimize methods of communication to students.

�       Miscellaneous

�       Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

�       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.

�       2-3 years previous experience in marketing and/or communications, ideally within an educational institution or agency

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

�       Excellent Communications Skills: must be an exceptional communicator, both in written and verbal communication. They should be able to convey complex information in a clear, concise, precise, well-organized and engaging manner, while using appropriate tone, vocabulary and grammar.

�       Digital Communication Proficiency: must be well-versed in various digital communication platforms and technologies. This includes email marketing software, content management systems, social media platforms, and other relevant tools.

�       Student-centric Focus: Regularly monitors student satisfaction; provides suggestions to improve quality and value to students. Establishes appropriate measurements of anticipated results. Able to analyze results to improve processes.

�       Efficiency: Effectively performs duties and responsibilities; displays attention to detail; supports organizational policies; anticipates demands/pressures of assignments and adjusts accordingly.

�       Organization: Plans, organizes, and schedules in an efficient, productive manner; anticipates contingencies and pays attention to detail; targets projects or initiatives that require special attention and focuses on key tasks when faced with limited time and/or resources.

�       Adaptability, Creativity and Problem-Solving: Able to be successful in a dynamic environment where communications needs can change rapidly. Able to formulate realistic plans as well as contingencies. Adaptable to new situations and demonstrates creativity in finding innovative communication solutions.

�       Coachability: Being receptive to feedback, willing to learn, embrace continuous improvement.

�       Cultural competency: Aware of and sensitive to different cultures and norms represented by the diverse populations of SPS and NU, and able to foster an inclusive and equitable environment for faculty and students.

Preferred Qualifications:

�       Masters degree

�       Previous experience in marketing and/or communications, ideally within an educational institution, nonprofit or agency

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

�       Tech-Savvy: Has experience and skills in leveraging technology to automate manual tasks and increase efficiency; stays up to date on technology developments in higher education and greater industry.

�       Problem-solving Skills: Has the ability to identify communication gaps, address issues, and implement solutions to improve communication processes

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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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