Communications Specialist

Department
 

PSD Computer Science: Administration and Staff

About the Department
 

The Department of Computer Science is an academic department that has a rich history of advancing and defining new fields of discovery in the physical sciences and computer science, and this tradition continues today. Our inquiry and impact spans from the edge of theory to human-computer interaction to Data Science. We are part of the Physical Sciences Division which includes academic departments and several interdisciplinary research institutes and centers.

Job Summary
 

Reporting to the Director of Communications and the Chair, the Communications Specialist uses advanced techniques for internal and external communications and branding to achieve long-term communications and brand/marketing goals. The Department of Computer Science is seeking a highly motivated, creative, and digitally savvy communicator to strengthen and highlight our culture of academic excellence. This communicator will support the Chair, promote the department, our priorities, as well as a portfolio of programs and products with external and internal audiences. Excellent critical thinking, strategic planning and writing skills are a must to support market positioning, messaging, and tactical delivery of communication plans.
The successful candidate will apply thorough communications knowledge to plan, research, organize, write, produce, and disseminate information to worldwide audiences through electronic, social, print, presentation, and face-to-face tactics to advance our business strategy and support or department’s objectives. They will partner with executives, program managers, and subject matter experts; collaborate effectively with internal and external partners to advance common communication goals.
This position will need a background in employee communications, media relations and digital storytelling; experience handling multiple tasks simultaneously; and capability to team effectively with communicators and other business partners as part of a diverse team.
The successful candidate will be a passionate and experienced educational writer with proven skills translating research into accessible and engaging content. The Communications Specialist will assist in the creation and delivery of educational materials including, curricula, guides, tools and resources, announcements, and other deliverables. They will focus on developing and delivering clear, concise, and coordinated messaging across multiple vehicles and platforms. The Communication Specialist will serve as project manager for assigned writing and communications projects, ensuring quality and smooth production from start to finish of project.
The Communication Specialist also provides writing and technical services to support the creation and dissemination of department products including newsletters, blogs, features, and white papers. They will support business development efforts through research and writing assignments, reviews, and editing. As needed, this role will also plan and coordinate meetings, providing technical and logistical support for virtual internal and external gatherings.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development of strategic approaches to communication plans and branding strategies, ensuring alignment with messaging, objectives and standards, and effectively mitigation potential conflicts.
• Researches, writes, and edits a broad range of materials and communications that promote the activities of the Computer Science Department.
• Develops digital and social media plans, talking points, backgrounders, fact sheets, web-based materials, campus screens, etc and collaborate on additional external media needs, such as news releases, statements, and response-to-queries, as required.
• Conducts literature searches on education and related topics and writes reports, research briefs, and helps translate research into actionable tools and resources.
• Writes curriculum and program materials to support educational program implementation.
• Writes event recaps for Department website.
• Prepares a variety of promotional and informational materials including articles, bulletins, websites, pamphlets, and other related media material.
• Provides publicity and promotional support for special events and knowledge sharing activities., including event promotion via email, social media, and website calendar and relevant on-campus listservs.
• Assists in developing and implementing communication strategies to disseminate information about the Computer Science Department.
• Develops and implements communications and public relations strategies to promote and publicize a variety of departmental projects, service, and programs.
• Develops internal newsletters, memos, and intranet content for the Department of Computer Science.
• Develops, plans, and disseminates information designed to keep the public informed of the organization's programs, accomplishments, or point of view.
• 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.
• 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

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher.

Experience:

• Professional experience in communication, higher education, or related roles.
• Background working with senior leaders or executives in a complex environment.
• Experience developing communications strategies including internal communications, external communications, news releases, videos and web content.
• Assist in the execution of all media relations campaigns to promote the department’s expertise in the university and with our external peers.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Expertise in Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop (and/or other graphic programs) and working within content management and learning management systems to write and edit digital and web content.
• Experience in using social media and web tools, including live-streaming software to promote department events.
• Works on problems that are complex in scope and require judgment in resolving or making recommendations for solutions.
• Creative, innovative and detail oriented.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects to meet short deadlines.

Preferred Competencies

• Exceptional time and project management and organizational skills including the ability to meet external and internal deadlines.
• Demonstrates the skill and willingness to take initiative and to proactively anticipate organizational needs.
• Work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and manage resources accordingly.
• Experience writing about complex scientific and technical topics for a general audience.
• Demonstrated ability to influence people to meet goals and deadlines, work collaboratively with senior leadership, scholars, vendors, student workers, and other constituents.
• Experience in the nonprofit or higher education environment.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• References Contact Information (3) (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

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.