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Form of workDepartment: IT Communications Salary/Grade: ITS/76 *Please submit a cover letter for full consideration. Job Summary: The Senior Research Communications Coordinator is essential in Northwestern IT's comprehensive, campus-wide communication effort to connect researchers and PIs to the various services and initiatives offered by Northwestern IT's Research Computing and Data Services (RCDS) team. The coordinator works in partnership with the RCDS team and other IT Communications team members to advance a cohesive and effective communications, marketing, and engagement strategy delivered via a mix of communications channels and events.
The senior coordinator also supports general Northwestern IT change management initiatives that inform the University community of new and changing technology and raise awareness of IT services and resources that support the University's academic, business, and research activities. The senior coordinator develops editorial content and communications for a diverse constituency and various channels-both internal to Northwestern IT and external to the campus community-all while ensuring a coordinated and consistent approach. The senior coordinator collaborates with partners across the schools and units, as needed; enhances targeted projects and campaigns by developing content and communications; assists with incident response communication; develops e-newsletter and internal communication content; and supports Northwestern IT's social media presence.
The senior coordinator is a versatile writer who demonstrates excellent communication and editorial skills, can support projects in a decentralized organization, and has experience developing consistent, high-quality, and timely content. Specific Responsibilities: Strategic Communications, Marketing, and Engagement Supports a comprehensive, cohesive, and effective communications and marketing strategy for Northwestern IT. Contributes to the development of digital and print materials that drive engagement with Research Computing and Data Services and other IT systems and services, including, but not limited to, website content, customer support materials, executive and internal staff communications, feature content, social media content, news releases, marketing materials, and other communication assets.
Assists with website improvements and customer-facing and external communications, including Northwestern IT's website, e-newsletters, social media presence, and digital media production. Assists with media relations efforts and communications related to Extended Staff Meetings, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee initiatives, affinity groups efforts, and more. Content Development Writes, edits, and reviews electronic and print materials that effectively communicate Research Computing and Data Services and other IT systems and services, including but not limited to website content, customer support materials, internal staff communications, feature stories and articles for multiple channels, news releases, brochures and other collateral materials, digital media, and presentation slide shows.
Supports efforts to ensure continuous improvements and updates to the website, maintaining a customer-focused perspective. Partnership, Engagement, and Alignment Collaborates with IT Communications and Research Computing and Data Services (RCDS) teams and other stakeholders and IT staff members on various aspects of communication, marketing, and engagement activities. Contributor on a team responsible for developing, consulting on, and implementing campus engagement activities (e.g., workshops, lunch and learns, drop-in sessions, IT office hours, etc.) designed to raise awareness of RCDS's and Northwestern IT's role and services to enhance the campus customer experience.
Assists in delivering a broad, campus-wide communications, marketing, and engagement program that promotes, supports, and aligns with University goals. Supports service owners and assists in developing project support materials, such as briefing documents, presentations, talking points, FAQs, fact sheets, website content, and other related materials. Project Management and Communication With minimal supervision, successfully perform communications-related activities around targeted projects and campaigns that promote Research Computing and Data Services initiatives and other Northwestern IT-related change management initiatives, including new, migrating, or retiring services; system upgrades/replacements; new processes; and more.
Social Media Support the Northwestern IT social media efforts, assisting with benchmarking, developing, executing, and tracking content across platforms. Monitor analytics to drive successful outcomes and achieve maximum impact on various audiences. Event Planning and Promotion Support planning, promotion, and execution of events, trainings, and workshops for Research Computing and Data Services and Northwestern IT in partnership with the Northwestern IT Coordinator of Special Events and other team members.
Performs other duties as assigned Engage in a personal and professional development plan that incorporates developmental goals, career paths, and competency areas. Attends conferences, seminars, and workshops to ensure continued development of professional skills. Participates on campus committees or councils and user groups to increase campus-level knowledge and awareness.
Participates in activities of relevant professional associations. Reflecting departmental and institutional values, participate in diversity initiatives to advance Northwestern IT's commitment to diversity and inclusion. Take part in Northwestern IT workshops, activities, and events as appropriate.
Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, English, or equivalent combination of training and relevant experience. Minimum one year of experience in a content, marketing, or communications capacity. Demonstrated experience developing content and working strategically with the web, social media, and other digital media-and using appropriate tools and key performance indicators to measure their effectiveness.
Basic understanding of Google Analytics, web accessibility principles, and web content management. Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.) Exemplary written and verbal communication skills with an audiencebased, results-driven approach to strategic communications and engagement marked by the ability to develop concise, compelling, creative, and effective messaging Versatile writer with the ability to compose narratives, write and edit compelling stories, social media posts, presentations, web copy, and newsletter content Proven analytical and problem-solving skills Desire to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment Experience developing effective communication to influence others Demonstrated social media skills across various platforms Openness to learning new technology quickly Positive, can-do attitude and a strong attention to detail Preferred Qualifications: Advanced experience (two to three years) in a content, marketing, or communications capacity, preferably in an educational or technical field Advanced experience with Google Analytics, SEO, web accessibility best practices, web design, and web application testing Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, video- and audio-editing software, and Cascade, a web content management system Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities) Familiarity with the culture and mission of a major research university and decentralized model Proven project management skills Knowledge of Cascade web publishing platform Ability to build and nurture effective relationships to promote communication initiatives A working knowledge of HTML Ability to smoothly translate technically oriented concepts into customer-friendly content and adroitly adopt multiple writing styles for various communication vehicles Experience with SEO and digital marketing reporting via Google Analytics and other tools Ability to work independently as well as proactively seek out information from diverse groups and collaborate to create new and engaging content Solid graphic and visual content creation skills Strong project management skills Experience working with Adobe Creative Suite Target hiring range for this position will be between $57,000-$68,000 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.
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.
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