Job Description:

• Leads media relations efforts for a suite of assigned programs. This entails developing relationships with international reporters, but also reporters on the ground covering environment, climate, and energy topics for national and local outlets. Develops and maintains media lists, creates pitch materials, as well as monitors, tracks, and reports on media activities and coverage.
• Maintains digital communications efforts for Institute initiatives, in coordination with the Instituteâ™s Senior Digital Marketing Lead. These activities include managing multiple websites; composing and executing social media campaigns and maintaining daily social media activities; and creating email marketing campaigns to promote research and programming.
• Manages campaign launches for the release of new research and programming. This includes writing research summaries, news releases, and other content.
• Develops promotional documents and other collateral materials (brochures, newsletters, etc.), and manages content design and distribution. Coordinates with team members and outside consultants on data visualizations/platforms, videos, etc.
• Develops strategies to build stakeholder engagement, including, on-the-ground partnerships and programming, in addition to conducting stakeholder mapping, creating, and maintaining topical and regional stakeholder lists in key countries.
• Coordinates events and webinars to promote the initiatives and their research.
• Liaison for global outreach coordination around clean air, climate, and other topics as they develop. Joins coordination calls, informs peer institutes of plans, and engages in promotion efforts of peers.
• Records and monitors analytics for the websites, social media, and email marketing accounts of the global initiatives, and shares relevant data with the Institute communications team to inform and coordinate strategies.
• Makes contributions to the media interface, including writing press releases, planning, and organizing media coverage for major events, and crafting responses to sensitive or controversial issues.
• Solves moderate to complex problems related to the writing, preparation, and/or delivery of information from or about the unit.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Preferred Qualification

Education:

• Bachelorâ™s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field.
• Masterâ™s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years experience in a communications role.
• Working with reporters in countries outside of the United States and Europe, including those in middle- and low-income countries.
• Development and/or grassroots communications strategies and efforts, or working in multi-national organizations.
• Managing websites, email marketing and social media accounts in a professional capacity, as well as maintaining stakeholder/media lists.
• Background in energy/environmental issues strongly desired and encouraged to apply.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Proficiency with web-based communication methods and tools such as MailChimp, Hubspot, 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

• Strong writer who can digest and translate complex subjects for a general audience.
• Strong interpersonal skills, and work both independently with a high degree of initiative 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.
• Strategic and creative thinking, project management, and planning skills.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, creativity, flexibility, and attention to detail.

Working Conditions

• This is a hybrid position, with an expected 2-3 days on campus per week.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Three Professional References Contact Information (required)

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form.

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