Associate Director and Senior Writer, Communications

Department
 

BSD DEV - Development: Communications

About the Department
 

Medicine and Biological Sciences Development’s mission is to inspire and facilitate philanthropy at the University of Chicago Medicine by building relationships with those who share its goals of advancing excellence in research, education, community, and patient care. We accomplish this mission through expertise, integrity, creativity, and collaboration.

Job Summary
 

The job independently writes a variety of communications for the University. Works with minimal guidance to research, compose, and edit high-level communications, publications and/or reports with complex and specialized subject matter.

Responsibilities

• The Associate Director and Senior Writer researches and articulates complex programs that are fundraising priorities.

• Portrays complex medical concepts and programs in a credible and accessible style. These programs will have broad themes that span multiple departments and often engage numerous faculty.

• Will create persuasive, informative, and inspiring content for newsletters, case statements, campaigns, proposals, and other descriptive documents targeted to Medicine & Biological Sciences Development's (MBSD) internal and external constituents such as donors, prospective donors, Alumni, Trustees, faculty, and staff.

• Serves as a key collaborator in identifying and articulating programs that will be: characterized by leading-edge science and technology; conceived as agenda-setting science; and require philanthropic investments.

• Collaborates and works in partnership with all members of MBSD particularly those on the Individual Giving, Foundations, Outreach, and Marketing and Donor Relations teams.

• Will create persuasive, informative, and inspiring donor-centric content for communications materials targeted to MBSD's internal and external constituents such as donors, prospective donors, Alumni, Trustees, faculty, and staff. The materials they create will help build the case for substantial and transformational philanthropic gifts.

• Will provide editorial support across MBSD.

• Will produce products such as, but not limited to the following: Digital newsletters; Case Statements; Feature articles for University or external publications.; Proposals; Web content; Marketing materials Social media campaigns; Video scripts.

• Determines, researches, verifies, writes and edits publications, which often includes technical/scientific material for manuals or journals.

• Uses broad knowledge of writing to write in-depth pieces relating to specialized field (e.g. scientific writing).

• 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 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• 5+ years of experience writing and editing either in journalism, corporate communications, advertising or public relations agencies, or in academia or a science field.

• Proven expertise taking complex information and both synthesizing it to identify and clarify key issues and opportunities and developing a compelling message.

• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.

• A demonstrated ability to think creatively.

• Ability to manage multiple details while adhering to a broader concept or purpose. Ability to understand finance and quantitative documents.

• Capacity for identifying and evaluating basic issues, for bringing together information from a variety of sources, and for selecting appropriate analytical and creative approaches in dealing with immediate responsibilities.

• Meticulous attention to detail, the ability to respond to constantly shifting priorities, to exercise sound judgment, to anticipate problems and create solutions.

Preferred Competencies

• Intermediate knowledge of specialized subject matter.

• Knowledge of grammar, punctuation, spelling and style.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Editing skills.

• Creativity.

• Analytical skills.

• Problem-solving skills.

• Decision-making skills.

• Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative.

• Attention to detail.

• Organizational skills.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.

• Interviewing skill.

Working Conditions

• Office Environment (hybrid schedule).

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

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

Requires Compliance with University Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement
 

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.