Communications Specialist

**Please submit cover letter and resume with application. **

As a member of the Marketing and Communication department, the Program Assistant 4 Events and Marketing, in the Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy will provide day-to-day oversight of administrative and operational functions. In particular, they will coordinate large scale &/or complex events & ensure that all logistics such as advertising, registration, speakers, international travel arrangements, venues, catering, technology, etc. have been completed. Supports Interdisciplinary Colloquia (managing communication with speakers and live or virtual event support). Represents the dept, program or project with various levels of personnel both internally & externally managing & facilitating confidential &/or critical information; responds to unanticipated & complex issues. This position will also write promotional social media copy and prepare flyers, eBlasts, posters, and signage need for events.

Coordinates a broad variety of administrative processes & activities such as database, budget, & HR – maintenance & reporting; communications including website design; & management of supervisor(s) &/or dept’s multiple calendars & events. Reviews administrative work procedures, policies & operational methods; identifies & documents as applicable: Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); best practices; appropriate filing & audit mechanisms; financial & performance metrics reporting; & regulatory & compliance systems.

Specific Responsibilities:

Documents & Databases

• Writes original feature articles covering academics, research, and programming
• Writes copy for online advertising and social media posts
• Tracks analytics for website, eNewsletters, social media, and energy and sustainability articles.

Website

• Oversees creation, design & maintenance of website &/or blog content ensuring ease & practicality of use for targeted audience & objective.
• Organizes information in ways that promotes & encourages use of site.
• Gathers information regarding programs, events, etc.
• Creates, writes, edits & posts articles, newsletters, program summaries, etc. to website.
• Manages cross-platform content distribution through ISEN’s website, electronic newsletters, social media accounts, partner channels.

Coordination

• Manages complex scheduling arrangements involving multiple parties & conferences, international travel, etc.
• Sets-up & cancels meetings based on knowledge of subject & attendees.
• Coordinates large scale &/or complex events.

Contacts

• Represents the dept, program or project with various levels of personnel both internally & externally managing & facilitating confidential &/or critical information.
• Responds to unanticipated & complex issues.

Student Services

• Refers students to appropriate resources.

Supervision

• Coordinates work of temporary/work-study students, interns, etc.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• A high school diploma or equivalent required.
• 5 years of administrative support or other relevant experience required.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Advanced knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, email, and database software programs is required.
• Working knowledge of Cascade content management system and MailChimp, and social media programs desired. Experience writing short and long-form copy.

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Academic background in Journalism, Communications Studies, Marketing and Communications, or related field;
• Experience managing event planning and managing online and in-person event logistics.
• Experience working in higher education.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Knowledge of / familiarity with energy and sustainability (science, policy, economics, etc.), particularly with respect to one or multiple core focal areas for the Institute: Climate Science and Decarbonization, and Resilient Communities.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $23.00-$27.00 per hour. Offered salary will be determined by the applicants education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate lifes challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If youre interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.