Communications Associate

Job Summary

The Communications Associate will play a central role in executing EPIC communications and student engagement. This work will include managing communications strategy and implementing education, student, and campus programming. The Communications Associate will report to the Senior Director of Communications and External Engagement and work closely with the Communications and Digital Marketing and Campus Engagement Managers. The Communications Associate will join a passionate team at an exciting moment of significant growth and development for EPIC.

Responsibilities

• Develops and plays a central role in executing strategies to amplify the program’s education and student programming through all forms of media (print, social, video, etc.), in coordination with the Digital Media Manager and Multimedia Designer.
• Writes news stories about new faculty, researchers, students and their classes and activities in order to spread awareness of the educational and student offerings as well as campus life.
• Manages Chicago-based promotion for programming. This includes managing promotional efforts across various mediums, engaging key student groups and other organizations on and off campus, and capturing real-time content for digital applications.
• Creates social media campaigns geared toward the promotion of campus life and educational programming.
• Maintains the scholar, education and student portals and student event pages on the website, this includes identifying and adding news, events and opportunities on and off campus.
• Compiles a weekly newsletter geared to students and a monthly newsletter highlighting campus life geared to an outside audience.
• Monitors the online presence, websites and social media, of associated schools and centers, as well as the University of Chicago’s news pages, for climate-related updates that would be appropriate for cross-promotion.
• Works with the Campus Engagement Manager in engaging new students and student groups in programming.
• Plans, develops and disseminates information designed to keep the public informed of the organization’s programs, accomplishments, or point of view, with moderate levels of guidance and direction.
• Solves a range of straightforward problems, as work assignments are difficult and broad in nature, usually requiring originality and ingenuity.
• Continues to build higher level knowledge of the University, processes and customers.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of two years of experience working in a communications role.
• Background managing websites, email marketing and social media accounts in a professional capacity, as well as maintaining stakeholder lists.
• Education and/or student life communications.
• Background in energy/environmental issues strongly desired and encouraged to apply.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and web-based communication methods and tools such as MailChimp, Hubspot, WordPress, and Google Analytics or similar platforms.
• Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and web-based communication methods and tools such as MailChimp, WordPress, and Google Analytics or similar platforms.
• Knowledge of best practices in digital engagement and their applications to communication strategies, including through web, email, and social media.

Preferred Competencies

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Manage and prioritize diverse job tasks, perform effectively in a fast-paced environment, and meet deadlines in a timely manner while maintaining professionalism and product quality.
• Excellent organizational skills, flexibility, and attention to detail.