Assistant Director of Content

Department
 

PSD Administration: Communications

About the Department
 

The Physical Sciences Division (PSD) at the University of Chicago has a rich history of defining and advancing new fields in the physical and mathematical sciences, and that tradition of innovation continues today. Our faculty and students lead research on the origins of life, the planet, and the universe; forge new paths towards a better future with applied sciences; and expand the impact of the physical and mathematical sciences through discoveries of the fundamental laws of nature and reason. The division includes the academic departments of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geophysical Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics. In addition, PSD is home to a number of interdisciplinary research institutes and centers, including the Enrico Fermi Institute, the James Franck Institute, and the Kavli Center for Cosmological Physics. Many of our scientists have joint appointments at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory as well as joint affiliations with other Chicago-based research institutions such as the Toyota Technological Institute of Chicago, Adler Planetarium, The Museum of Science and Industry, and the Field Museum. Our students build connections with world-leading scientists, collaborate across disciplines, and enjoy the dynamic Chicago and University communities.

Job Summary
 

The Assistant Director of Content will help raise the profile of the Physical Sciences Division, its scientists, faculty research, awards, resources, programs, collaborative work, and impact beyond the University. The position will report to the Director of Communications and work closely with other Communications staff within the Division and the University. The position is eligible for partially or fully remote work schedule.

Responsibilities

• Creates and curates long-form content for a wide range of topics related to the advancement of science, recruitment of students, faculty research, awards, divisional initiatives, and life in the PSD. Optimizes content across a variety of digital channels to drive value and engagement of PSD audiences.

• Manages the entirety of the content life-cycle: identifying story ideas, writing articles, identifying distribution channels, and selecting new opportunities to (re) promote existing stories and other content.

• Plans and coordinates the development and production of marketing campaigns and collateral intended for recruitment purposes, these materials may include, but are not limited to: press releases, brochures, posters, one-pagers, copy for digital ads, blogs, or other digital material.

• Manages website content and ensures that PSD’s website is compliant with accessibility standards. Provides website guidance to PSD units on a case-by-case basis.

• Coordinates, curates, and develops content for the PSD monthly newsletter, including writing compelling copy, editing graphics, and obtaining proper approvals for publication.

• Coordinates with the Digital Marketing Specialist to produce appropriate multimedia content for news stories.

• Works with other university communicators to coordinate cross-divisional campaigns and projects –The Day Tomorrow Began, South Side Science Festival.

• Tracks, analyzes, and reports on monthly data across PSD website and newsletter.

• Works alongside the Digital Marketing Specialist and the Director of Communications to develop, maintain and organize content calendar for PSD news, awards, research, etc.

• Works with the Director of Communications to contribute to strategic planning for Communications and Divisional initiatives, as well as other special projects (South Side Science Festival, Trailblazers Wall, amongst others).

• 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.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

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

---
Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

---
Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Previous experience working with nuanced and complex topics, capable of drawing out a simple message and reframing it for different audiences and communication touch-points.

• Previous experience creating and coordinating newsletters and social media multimedia content (graphics and videos).

• Proven track record writing digital content and managing content projects from inception to launch.

• Experience supporting an editorial, publishing, or media team.

• Successful track record streamlining and expanding content efforts across different channels and audiences, implementing best content practices, and managing multiple workstreams. 

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Experience writing and editing for media, generating ideas, managing editorial processes, stakeholder input, and content calendars.

• Superb communications skills as a writer, editor, and proofreader with particular experience in long-form writing for general audiences.

• Strong computer skills, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Sharepoint, Powerpoint), Project management tools (Monday.com, Asana, Airtable, Trello, etc.), Mailing services (Mailchimp, Constant Contact, Substack, or others) and Content Management Systems (Wordpress, Squarespace, Droopal, or others).

Preferred Competencies

• Well organized and collaborative self-starter who has a passion for groundbreaking science and high-quality content.

• An expert storyteller who can translate complex topics into accessible and compelling narratives using different formats.

• Understands how to use content as part of marketing efforts to attract and retain students, faculty and staff. 

• Attention to detail and ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.

• Experience with science communications/writing strongly preferred.

• Deep understanding of the media landscape and a strong news sense.

• Excellent time management and organization skills.

• Capable of building rapport with PSD audiences to imagine and create intuitive, easy-to-understand content.

• Diplomacy, sound judgment.

• Strong interpersonal skills that allow them to work in a multicultural environment.

Working Conditions

• The position is eligible for partially or fully remote work schedule.

• Occasional night and weekend work may be required.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (preferred)

• Published writing sample (link or PDF of article, blog, op-ed, web copy, etc.)—STEM content (preferred)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Communications

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward .
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 Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.