Director, Communications

Department

Booth CDR: Operations

About the Department

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business is the second-oldest business school in the U.S. and second to none when it comes to influencing business education and business practices. Since 1898, the school has produced ideas and leaders that shape the world of business. Their rigorous, discipline-based approach to business education transforms students into confident, effective, respected business leaders prepared to face the toughest challenges.

Chicago Booth has the finest set of facilities of any business school in the world. Each of the four campuses (two in Chicago, one in London, and one in Hong Kong) reflects the architectural traditions of its environs while offering a state-of-the-art learning environment.

Chicago Booth is proud to claim:

• an unmatched faculty.
• degree and open enrollment programs offered on three continents.
• a global body of nearly 56,000 accomplished alumni.
• strong and growing corporate relationships that provide a wealth of lifelong career opportunities.

As part of the world-renowned University of Chicago, Chicago Booth shares the University's core values that shape the distinctive intellectual culture. At Booth, they constantly question and test ideas, and seek proof. This extraordinarily effective approach to business leads to new ideas and innovative solutions. Seven of the Booth faculty members have won Nobel Prizes for these ideas - the first business school to achieve this accomplishment.

For more information about the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, please visit: http://www.chicagobooth.edu/.

Job Summary

In this role, the Director will have an integral role in developing systems for designing and executing communications. Ensure center initiatives and projects are successfully communicated to faculty, staff, and students. Develop and execute communications and marketing materials on research and activities associated in the behavioral science discipline. Provide necessary content for annual reports to the Booth Advancement Office. Interface with media and media relations relevant to the center and Mindworks. Direct all public relations for the RF-CDR. Manage part-time writers and research assistants contributing to the communications, social media, and public relations efforts. Manage a full-time staff member who focuses on communications and recruitment efforts for participants to actively participate in the multiple laboratory environments.

The Communications Director of the Roman Family Center for Decision Research will provide strategic leadership for all communication, public relations, branding, and outreach efforts for the RF-CDR. Will establish an internal and external communication strategy in conjunction with the RF-CDR leadership members and Booth Marketing and Communications team.

Responsibilities

• Establishes and implements a communications strategy for the Roman Family Center for Decision Research.
• Identifies and understands the Center's priorities and high-profile topics in order to prepare relevant communications plans and messages.
• Creates a strategic communications system and approach for branding, messaging, and communication delivery.
• Works closely with the RF-CDR laboratory operations team on effective participant recruitment efforts via email, social media, flyers, and other advertising avenues.
• Leads media and public relations campaigns to promote the visibility of the labs operations, particularly focusing on the new downtown lab.
• Coordinates and executes the day-to-day communications activities of the RF-CDR Administrative Office, in compliance with the priorities of RF-CDR as outlined by leadership, Booth and the University.
• Manages and maintains the RF-CDR website and provides fresh content to an evolving organization.
• Leads management of email communications, creating and sending newsletters, event notices and invitations.
• Manages digital marketing and outreach of the Center's laboratories in conjunction with RF-CDR team members.
• Supports the Center's data collection opportunities for RF-CDR faculty, for both laboratory and field research.
• Leads marketing and public relations for programs and events.
• Manages technical requirements, promotion, marketing, and communications of all public-facing RF-CDR events including all virtual events and future in-person events.
• Ensures successful communication and outreach on behalf of RF-CDR.
• Produces and/or coordinates with other Booth teams and external vendors on the production of attractive and informative official communications (e.g., activities reports, newsletters, event announcements) from the center to various audiences.
• Collaborates with Booth Advancement on stewardship reports and other reporting efforts including an Annual Report.
• Offers communications expertise for activities in support of the RF-CDR, when needed.
• Manages, plans, and oversees professional staff in the development of communications policies and programs.
• Develops the writing, preparation, and/or delivery of information from or about the unit. Is accountable for maintaining the unit's goals and communications strategy in publications, announcements, and speeches.
• 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 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.
• Master's degree in marketing and/or communications.

Experience:

• At least five years of experience as a communications professional.
• At least two years of experience managing staff and coordinating activities among multiple personnel (e.g. project contributors from multiple departments).

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Mastery of administrative computer skills (e.g., the Microsoft Office suite, project management applications, Google apps, web-editing platforms).
• Experience with email marketing platforms (Mailchimp, Marketo), social media management, and graphic design/layout (Adobe Suite, Canva).

Preferred Competencies

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including communicate complex ideas to a range of audiences.
• Analyze and interpret complex information and present it clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Strong interpersonal skills to enable effective communication, generate trust, and effectively work to address the needs of faculty and staff at all levels including senior leaders.
• Strong project and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Organizational skills, including simultaneously advancing multiple projects, meeting deadlines under pressure, and resourcefully solving unforeseen problems.

Working Conditions

• This position is currently expected to work a minimum three days per week in the office.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter briefly describing past experiences and career goals (required)
• Reference Letters (preferred)
• Writing Sample preferably describing research (required)

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

People Manager

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or 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.

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