Department: IIN - Int Inst Nanotechnology
Salary/Grade: EXS/9

Job Summary:

The International Institute for Nanotechnology (IIN) at Northwestern University is seeking a full-time Associate Director of Marketing and Communications to create and execute world-class communications and marketing campaigns that promote and support the organization and its programs. The ideal candidate is a communications expert who thrives on working on multiple campaigns using a mix of channels and tactics while measuring success through a variety of analytics. Working with diverse teams across the university, the Associate Director should be highly organized, capable of producing exceptional results, friendly, professional, and mature. The ability to share the load, the fun, and the credit, is required; as well as the ability to thrive in a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality.

Please note: This position works full-time and on-site on Northwestern's Evanston campus.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Create, implement, and manage an integrated strategic communications and public relations plan to advance the IIN brand, broaden awareness of its programs, accomplishments, and priorities; and increase its visibility across key stakeholder audiences and to cultivate new and enhance existing relationships with targeted audiences.
• Develop content and a distribution plan that supports overall strategic direction and for the IIN.
• Develop strategic direction for all digital media activities including structure, content, features, communications, and policies.
• Act as in-house journalist, identifying and writing press releases, blogs, email blasts, and all other communications.
• Write all communication materials, including annual reports, marketing collateral materials, and electronic communications.
• Uncover communication insights and trends and discover creative ways to capitalize on these.
• Collaborate on the development of and monitor communication budgets to ensure quality production and fiscal responsibility.
• Execute all of the programs and features of the communication and marketing products to ensure that content and presentation are in-synch with branding and overall communication strategies.
• Develop meaningful metrics, monitor and track results to calculate return-on-investment, and provide data-driven recommendations for continued improvement and best practices.
• Manage the IIN Nanotechnology Corporate Partners (NCP) program, (1) research prospects, initiate conversations, organize discovery visits, secure new NCP members, program sponsors, and sponsored research; (2) develop and implement a creative plan to provide expert ongoing stewardship of NCP members and other corporate sponsors.
• Organize and manage annual public relations events, including Annual Nanotechnology Corporate Partners Day.
• Development and managing vendor, consultant, freelance, printer, advertising and other supplier relationships in support of marketing and communication, and public relations goals.
• Develop and maintain relationships with appropriate media outlets.
• Develop and manage listservs and databases.

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree.
• A minimum of 6 years of applicable experience.

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

• Innovative thinker, with a track record of translating strategic thinking into action plans and output.
• Excellent judgement and creative problem-solving skills.
• Ability to make decisions in a changing environment and anticipate future needs.
• Energetic, flexible, collaborative and proactive.
• Superior organizational and program management skills
• Proven track record in media relations, copywriting, editing, advertising, marketing, and project management.
• Superior writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and CRM software.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree.
• 8+ years of related experience.
• Background in science and/or engineering, or the demonstrated ability to make complex scientific concepts, methods, procedures understandable to a lay audience.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of communication platforms, including digital media and social media tools.
• Demonstrated skill and comfort in proactively building relationships with top tier reporters and editors, and in successful positioning of subject matter.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Self-Starter: Excited by the opportunities, resourcefulness and nimbleness required of a new start-up.
• Excellent communicator: Uses varied vehicles and opportunities to promote dialogue and develop shared understanding and consensus. Maintains continuous, open and consistent dialogue with others.
• Keen awareness and understanding of budget planning and production costs.
• Technologically savvy
• Critical and analytical thinking: Using logic and reason to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Ability to review and dissect information and apply analytic concepts and calculations.

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 life’s 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 you’re 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 requires all staff and faculty to be vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to limited exceptions. For more information, please visit our COVID-19 and Campus Updates website.

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.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.
  

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