Job Description

About the Unit

The TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health (TMW Center) is an interdisciplinary research institute at the University of Chicago that develops and scales evidence-based interventions designed to support parents and caregivers in their efforts to optimize the foundational brain development of children, birth to three years, through talk and interaction. TMW curricula integrate neuroscience, early childhood development research, adult learning strategies and stakeholder feedback on a multimedia platform. Our approach harnesses technology, works across systems, and informs how to bring best practices and interventions that work to scale. The TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health seeks a Director of Communications. Working in close collaboration with the Co-directors, the COO, and the Sr. Director of Communications and Curriculum, the seasoned communications professional will be the first Director of Communications for the Center and will develop and implement a high-impact communications strategy in support of the TMW Center. This individual will develop all manner of communications collateral, build and lead the organization’s web and social media presence, cultivate opportunities to raise the profile of the Center, its senior leadership and work, and, as needed, handle a variety of special communications projects. Candidate must have excellent written and oral communication skills, as well as strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic communications plan in support of the TMW Center’s work to ensure alignment with mission including conceptualizing and creating communications collateral, pitching media outlets, cultivating high-profile speaking engagements, leveraging university resources and professionals, overseeing online and social media presence, and more;
• Create and edit communications collateral including press releases, web and social media content, internal- and external-facing newsletters, feature articles, one-pagers, talks, and other materials;
• Lead ongoing management of TMW Center’s website including regular content updates, functionality and growth;
• Lead ongoing management of TMW Center’s social media presence including the generation of content, building engagement, and increasing followers across all related channels;
• Oversee content calendar for websites, social media platforms and other forms of regular communication;
• Lead cultivation and pitching to media outlets;
• Lead cultivation of speaking engagements for Co-Directors and other senior leaders to raise the profile of the TMW Center and its senior leadership;
• Oversee and facilitate support for senior leadership with writing and the creation of visual assets for speaking engagements;
• Collaborate with university communications professionals to facilitate leveraging their resources and partners, including online, print and social media, in support of TMW Center’s work;
• Oversee the utilization of tools and methodologies, including Google Analytics, to provide analysis on the performance of website and its social media channels with an eye toward improving engagement efforts;
• Oversee delegation of daily media tracking responsibilities for organization and distribute bi-monthly media and social media briefings;
• Oversee delegation of ‘contact us’ email, including checking and coordinating responses;
• Oversee delegation of incoming media requests;

Competencies

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills; experience with different types of writing including feature articles, press releases, newsletters, social media content, and other materials
• Knowledge of grammar, punctuation, spelling and style
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex concepts and terms into simple, compelling story telling for diverse audiences
• Detail oriented
• Analytical and problem solving skills
• Ability to work independently
• Strong presentation skills, both developing and giving
• Decision-making skills
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated knowledge of online tools and other metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of digital communications and engagement efforts
• Demonstrated knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, Content management systems and social media platforms
• Knowledge of desktop publishing, Web authoring/design and graphic design software
• Video production experience

Preferred Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations, marketing, English, or a related field

Experience

• Three or more years of relevant professional experience in communications or related field, with experience developing and implementing strategic communication efforts, including writing and editing for digital and traditional media

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Reference Contact Information

NOTE: When applying, all required documents MUST be uploaded under the Resume/CV section of the application

How to Apply

Job Categories: Equal Opportunities. Job Types: Full-Time. Job Tags: children, communications, director, early learning, language, public health, Research, surgery, thirty million words, and university of chicago. Salaries: Not Disclosed.

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