Communications Specialist

Location: Chicago, IL Job Description: Develop, implement, and monitor NCS Communications Strategy with specific goals, tactics, and measurable results. Ensure consistency of NCSs message and images across all communications platforms, in accordance with UChicago identity guidelines. Design effective and appealing marketing materials and professional development tools and resources. Build a high-quality interactive online presence using various platforms that enables policymakers, funders, and other stakeholders to easily access NCS knowledge and work. Manage relationships with external partners regarding communications, including website development, graphic design, and photo/video. Develop systems for gathering insights, data, and stories from NCS staff and school partners. Develop promotional materials as needed for contract/fee-for-service programming locally, regionally, and nationally. Develop a process to codify promising practices for schools and districts in collaboration with program staff. Codifications may include: case studies, toolkits, blogs, etc. Plan, develop, and disseminate information designed to keep the public informed of the organization's programs, accomplishments, or point of view, with moderate levels of guidance and direction. Build capacity of other staff members to present research and effective practice. Create all preparatory materials when presenting at conferences, speaking to interested stakeholders, including the press. Coordinate and communicate with University of Chicago staff and represent NCS to stakeholders as needed. Solve a range of straightforward problems, as work assignments are difficult and broad in nature, usually requiring originality and ingenuity. Continue to build higher level knowledge of the University, processes, and customers. Perform other related work as needed. Preferred Qualifications Education: Bachelors degree in Communication or related field. Work Experience: Experience in communications and various tools needed to implement a strategic communications plan. Experience promoting education and/or nonprofit messaging and programming to a broad audience. Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills. Experience with crafting editorial content for a newspaper, magazine, blog, media outlets, and other external audiences. Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite and G-Suite. Experience in creating and posting engaging content for social media platforms, including Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Experience working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders, including educators, researchers, media outlets, funders, and University staff. Preferred Competencies Demonstrated ability to communicate in a clear and compelling way, both in oral and written English. Proficiency in Canva, MailChimp, Adobe, and other design software. A relentless commitment to social justice and public school reform in Chicago. Ability to effectively collaborate and communicate with colleagues, school participants, and partners. A commitment to ongoing self-reflection, examination of identity and role in systems of oppression, and challenging inequities. Willingness to participate in ongoing professional development, team, and self-evaluation. Ability to integrate and effectively utilize technology for professional productivity. Ability to respond with flexibility to demands and requirements of the project and to effectively prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines. Capable of exercising sound judgment, tact, courteousness, reliability, and employing sound decision-making skills. Ability to adjust to ambiguous circumstances and change. Disposition towards finding and cultivating joy in the work. Basic level proficiency in written and oral Spanish preferred. Working Conditions Hybrid work schedule, on-site at the Hyde Park campus in Chicago. Travel to external stakeholder sites as needed. Application Documents Resume (required) Cover letter (required) References (required) J-18808-Ljbffr