Director of Communications MCC

Department: MCC Marketing
Salary/Grade: EXS/10

Job Summary:

The Director of Communications provides leadership for the day-to-day management of communications strategy and implementation at the McCormick School of Engineering, including coordination of media relations efforts, content development and strategy, publications and multimedia development, and internal communications. Working with internal and external resources, the Director develops and implements communications strategies that make measurable progress toward protecting and improving the reputation of the McCormick School of Engineering.

Specific Responsibilities:

Media Relations and Content Development:

• Leads the development and implementation of a proactive public relations plan to build positive relationships with alumni, prospective students, current students, and all external audiences
• Manages content priorities and assigns projects to internal and external partners
• Manages a media relations effort to ensure broad recognition of McCormick's leadership role in the engineering space. Serve as a key liaison with the Office of Global Marketing and Communications to ensure that school and University efforts are aligned.
• Evaluate and manages outside agencies and make recommendations for ongoing relationships , as needed.
• Track local, national and international coverage of academic and administrative units

Supervision of Communciations Materials:

• Directs the production of all publications and multimedia for the McCormick School, including the alumni magazine, admission materials, departmental newsletters, and other marketing collateral
• Serves as editor for McCormick magazine, overseeing content production, art direction, design, and production
• Works on video and multimedia projects, sourcing partners as needed to meet school goals.
• Manage external vendor relations for all materials, managing the process from ideation through completion

Strategic communication:

• Develops and edits copy for web, print and electronic communication, assigning projects to in-house and external writers
• Develops speeches, scripts, letters, and other communication for the dean and senior associate deans
• Develop communication strategies that align with the strategic vision and strategic plan for the McCormick School
• Measure impact of ongoing initiatives and provide reports
• Supervision and leadership:
• Supervise two full-time staff for the marketing department, including responsibility for giving work direction, disciplinary action and performance reviews;
• Work with key faculty and staff throughout the school to provide communications advice and counsel.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree in Marketing, Communications or related field desirable, or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired;
• A minimum 7 years in marketing, advertising and communication functions with demonstrated leadership in developing innovative and successful communications programs
• Previous experience in working with members of the media
• Previous experience overseeing all aspects of the publications process.
• Familiarity with InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, scanning programs, and Photoshop required;

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

• Knowledge of desktop publishing and experience in the development of variety of marketing materials required;
• Sound organizational skills,
• A high degree of creativity and initiative;
• Excellent communication skills (both oral and written.);
• Must be a self-starter;

Preferred Qualifications:

• A master's degree or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience for which comparable skills can be acquired;

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Considerable design-related experience;
• A confident, professional attitude;
• Experience in conducting market research;
• Ability to take charge, yet adapt, to different people and situations;

Target hiring range for this position will be between $87,899-$123,608 per year. 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.

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 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.