Communications Coordinator Senior

Department: MED-Mesulam Ctr Cog Neur & Alz
Salary/Grade: EXS/6

Job Summary:

The Sr. Communications Coordinator provides project leadership for communications initiatives (e.g. digital, publication, and social media projects) generated from the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease. Manage specific communications projects across the entire Center and ensures that projects meet Center goals. Serves as the primary internal communications editor, determining content strategy for print and electronic publications providing oversight, guidance and support on regular and unique communications activities. The position helps execute and assist on development of communication strategies, key messages and oversees social media and communication channels to a wide variety of constituents, including internal Northwestern Medicine members (Feinberg Communications, NMHC Communications and University Relations), 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, and works with the Media Relations 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. Functions as in-house brand manager, developing graphics, presentations, and recruitment materials for Center 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 Center, 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 Center and Feinberg Office of Communications, in addition to other University-wide workgroups.

The Mesulam Center 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 center 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 Center social media outlets. Write content, design posts, create a monthly calendar and launch campaigns.
• Attend Mesulam Center related events on an as needed basis including possible evening or weekend events. Provides back up support on event coordination for Center programming, including annual Alzheimer Day and the bi-weekly Alzheimer's Disease Seminar Series
• Design, manage and continually update website. Collaborate with Feinberg's Communication team to meet School website standards and optimize website for digital accessibility and SEO. Write content, update faculty pages and events, recommend web site enhancements, and utilize best practices for Search Engine Optimization.
• 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 message for all Mesulam Center communications; including, but not limited to: community engagement events, patient and family programs and services, Mesulam Center Seminar Series, research results dissemination.
• Provides major communications support for the Mesulam Center's Annual Alzheimer Day, including but not limited to: creating and updating conference abstract booklet, designing sponsorship packet, managing all outside and internal communications, flyers.
• Manages the hire and supervision of the Communications Intern.
• Manages digital asset library for the Center, including photography, logos, and presentation templates.
• Oversees production process and maintains vendor relations for Center materials, including print production, ordering of branded materials, bulk mailing, and freelancers.
• Project manage the 28-32 page annual newsletter by interviewing faculty and staff, patients, and their families, writing stories, taking photos when needed, and acting as the primary liaison with design and editing.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the Center and the Feinberg Office of Communications and the Media Relations Office to increase visibility.

Miscellaneous

• 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.
• Performs other duties as needed.

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 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.
• 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:

• Master's degree in journalism or communications.
• Proficiency in industry standard software, including the Adobe Creative Suite and the Microsoft Office Suite.
• 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 Createive 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, 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.