Department: MED-Mesulam Ctr Cog Neur & Alz
Salary/Grade: EXS/6
Target hiring range for this position will be between $56,780 - $73,200. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.
Job Summary
The Sr. Communications Coordinator provides project leadership for communications initiatives (e.g. digital, publication, and social media projects) generated from the Mesulam Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease.Manages specific communications projects across the entire Institute and ensures that projects meet Institute goals.Serves as the primary internal communications editor, determining content strategy for print and electronic publications and providing oversight, guidance and support on regular and unique communications activities.Executes and assists on development of communication strategies and key messages and oversees social media and communication channels to a wide variety of constituents, including internal Northwestern Medicine members (Feinberg Communications and NMHC Communications), faculty, clinicians and staff as well as external partners including the broader scientific community, philanthropic and advocacy organizations, other Alzheimer’s Disease Centers, the larger Northwestern Medicine public community, patients and families. Works with Northwestern’s Global Marketing and Communications Office to disseminate media information on a local and national level.
Provides strategic recommendations for SEO and best practices, optimizing web content to be high impact and high visibility with target audiences and support virtual presence on website to increase access to information. Functions as in-house brand manager, developing graphics and recruitment materials for Institute’s research team, ensuring that all collateral adheres to FSM and University brand guidelines. Provides leadership, counsel, and resources for supported teams and community partners, including sharing best practices, maintaining photo and video assets related to the Institute, partnering on and leading collaborative multi-team projects, developing project briefs and original content for a variety of needs and channels, and advising groups on communications strategies and implementation. Serves as liaison between the Mesulam Institute and Feinberg Office of Communications, in addition to other University-wide workgroups.
The Mesulam Institute is a multidepartmental freestanding component of the Feinberg School of Medicine. We serve patients with neurological diseases that interfere with cognition and behavior. Areas of research include healthy brain aging, memory impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal degeneration, primary progressive aphasia and related dementias. Administrative headquarters are located on Tarry 8, where clinicians and investigators in multiple disciplines have contiguous offices and laboratories. Our Institute represents more than 50 core and affiliated faculty members from 14 departments in the Chicago and Evanston campuses of Northwestern University.
Specific Responsibilities
- Write, design, and distribute a periodic e-newsletter for patients and their families.
- Write, design and distribute a similar news update e-newsletter for internal audiences.
- Develop, manage and expand all contact lists with relevant personnel/organizations.
- Manage and grow all Mesulam Institute social media outlets. Write content, design posts, create a monthly calendar and launch campaigns.
- Attend Mesulam Institute related events on an as needed basis including possible evening or weekend events. Provide back up support on event coordination for Institute programming, including annual Alzheimer Day and the Alzheimer’s Disease Seminar Series.
- Design, manage and continually update Mesulam Institute website. Collaborate with Feinberg’s Communication team to meet FSM website standards and optimize website for digital accessibility and SEO. Write content, update faculty pages and events, recommend website enhancements, and utilize best practices for SEO.
- Ensure visibility within the Feinberg School of Medicine by regularly pitching stories for inclusion in Northwestern Medicine magazine, Breakthroughs podcast, and other media.
- Design flyers and Constant Contact email campaigns for all Mesulam Institute communications; including, but not limited to: community engagement events, patient and family programs and services, Mesulam Institute Seminar Series, research results dissemination, and others as assigned.
- Provide major communications and event support for the Mesulam Institute’s Annual Alzheimer Day, including but not limited to: creating and updating conference Abstract Book, designing and disseminating sponsorship packet, managing all external and internal communications and related listservs, and designing any and all event materials including but not limited to signage, flyers, print invitation, logos, and other branded event materials.
- Manage the hire and supervision of the Communications Intern.
- Manage digital asset library for the Institute, including photography, logos, and presentation templates.
- Oversee production process and maintains vendor relations for Institute materials, including print production, ordering of branded materials, bulk mailing, and freelancers.
- Serve as Project Lead for the 28-32 page annual print newsletter by interviewing faculty and staff, patients, and their families, writing stories, overseeing content written by the Communications Intern, hiring photographers and taking photos when needed, and acting as the primary liaison with design and editing.
- Serve as the primary liaison between the Institute and the Feinberg Office of Communications and the Media Relations Office to increase visibility.
- Other duties
- Follow AP, University, and in-house style guidelines. Ensure that content is free of spelling and grammatical errors and is factually accurate.
- Provide back-up proofreading and production assistance.
- Other communications tasks as needed.
- May supervise a temporary employee or intern.
Miscellaneous
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)
- Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree in a major such as communication, journalism, marketing or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
- 2-4 years of health care communications experience involving significant writing, editing, and communications assignments.
- Demonstrated experience in design in addition to writing and editing content for digital media in an academic setting.
Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)
- Outstanding writing, verbal communication, and organizational skills.
- Ability to grasp scientific concepts, while focusing on organization of content, grammar, spelling, consistent use of terminology and abbreviations, etc.
- Project management skills and demonstrated ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
- Rigorous attention to detail; well versed in AP style, with a sharp eye for grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
- Proficiency in industry standard software, including Adobe InDesign, the Adobe Creative Suite and the Microsoft Office Suite.
- Experience with content management systems.
- Initiative and ability to make sound decisions, set priorities, plan projects, organize workflow, work independently on assigned projects, and collaborate in a hard-working, small-team environment, demonstrating an exceptional work ethic and following through on initiatives.
- Punctual and reliable, with the ability to meet deadlines, strive for continuous improvement, solve problems quickly, and think outside of the box.
- Ability to establish and grow effective working relationships with faculty, researchers, students, co-workers, and colleagues throughout the university.
Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)
- Master’s degree in journalism or communications.
- 3-5 years’ work experience involving significant writing, editing, and communications assignments in a science-related or health care field.
- Experience in both external and internal communications.
Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)
- Proficiency in HTML, Adobe Creative Suites, email marketing software, and Cascade CMS.
- Demonstrated interest in the fields of bioscience and medicine.
- Knowledge of clinical trials and research management.
Benefits
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, 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 University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non-discrimination statement . Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process .
