Assistant Director for Marketing and Communications

Department: MED-NU-CATS Institute
Salary/Grade: EXS/8

The Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences (NUCATS) Institute seeks a motivated and experienced Assistant Director for Marketing and Communications to lead a wide range of strategic communications and marketing initiatives. The Assistant Director will serve as a content production focal point for print and digital publications (e.g., monthly newsletter, weekly NUCATS Minute, annual Impact Report), NUCATS website (nucats.northwestern.edu), as well as social media outreach via X and LinkedIn. In addition, the Assistant Director will serve as the primary liaison to collaborative initiatives with Chicagoland CTSA hubs and Northwestern Medicine partners. The position will develop, manage, evaluate, and continuously improve communication strategies and campaigns for high profile NUCATS initiatives, and will compile profiles from faculty and study team members supported by NUCATS resources for dissemination to our funding agency, clinical affiliates, FSM community, and internally to NUCATS staff.

The NUCATS Assistant Director for Marketing and Communications, in their capacity as an experienced communications expert, will lead a wide variety of marketing and communications initiatives to enhance the reach and impact of the NUCATS Institute's programs, resources, and services. The Assistant Director will serve as a content production focal point for print and digital publications (e.g., monthly newsletter, weekly NUCATS Minute, annual Impact Report), NUCATS website (nucats.northwestern.edu), as well as social media outreach via X and LinkedIn. In addition, the Assistant Director will serve as the primary liaison to collaborative initiatives with Chicagoland CTSA hubs and Northwestern Medicine partners. The position will develop, manage, evaluate, and continuously improve communication strategies and campaigns for high profile NUCATS initiatives, and will compile profiles from faculty and study team members supported by NUCATS resources for dissemination to our funding agency, clinical affiliates, FSM community, and internally to NUCATS staff.

NUCATS is committed to fostering a culture that values professional growth and work-life balance. This full-time position requires a minimum of two days per week on-site at the Chicago campus.

Specific Responsibilities:

1. Design, implement, oversee, evaluate, and continuously improve the Institute-wide marketing and communications strategic plan, with a focus on both internal and

external audiences. Collaborate with NUCATS leadership, Feinberg School of Medicine colleagues, and other University partners and clinical affiliates to develop,

test, and implement a forward-thinking approach to research communications, enabling investigators and study team members to receive targeted information ("the right

information at the right time") regarding relevant resources and services that maximize efficiency and translational impact. Partner with NUCATS colleagues to develop

Center/Program-level marketing and communications strategic plans, focusing both on long-term branding as well as program-specific needs (e.g., marketing a regional

conference and master's programs to increase attendance). Develop multiple templates (e.g., flyers, email announcement, social media push) for NUCATS team members to

utilize as needed. Represent NUCATS at CTSA meetings and help host information tables at selected trainings and resource fairs.

2. With limited oversight, write, edit, proof, format, and publish articles, stories, and announcements on a regular basis via email, social media, monthly NUCATS

newsletter, Feinberg School of Medicine publications, and print media. Maintain and continually update the NUCATS website (using Cascade content management system), provide guidance to each NUCATS Center/Program on website content, and establish standardized marketing and communications guidelines for all dissemination materials. Collaborate with the Feinberg School of Medicine's Communications team to maintain FSM website standards. Manage social media outlets by posting content (such as images and short videos) on X, LinkedIn, Bluesky etc. Create and distribute electronic and printed communications and marketing materials (e.g., flyers, brochures, newsletters, event signage, presentations, handouts), including selecting and resizing images. Organize and maintain photo and story archives.

3. Identify, develop, and lead strategic planning efforts for external communications with the goal of increasing participation in clinical trials, through marketing initiatives and

publications. Communicate and collaborate with other related institutions (e.g., two Chicagoland CTSA hubs, the Institute for Translational Medicine and the UIC Center

for Clinical and Translational Science), with a focus on developing strong relationships with key partners in the Chicagoland area, and broadly disseminate clinical research for

the entire enterprise, including via the Science in Translation. Schedule interviews and edit scripts for podcast episodes (working with vendor). Act as the primary liaison

between NUCATS, Feinberg, and Northwestern Medicine communications teams.

4. Oversee 1 work-study student responsible for drafting articles, announcements, and event promotions, budget permitting.

5. Collaborate closely with the NUCATS Navigator service request program, which serves as the primary contact for questions and service requests to NUCATS Center/Program

team members.

6. Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

1. 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 communications, journalism, marketing, or related discipline; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.

2. Four years of content creation, journalism and/or communications experience, including writing press releases and designing communications materials utilizing software such as Adobe Creative Cloud; or other relevant experience required.

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

1. Project management skills and demonstrated ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.

2. Expert computer skills to include advanced use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe software programs.

3. Proven ability to identify, research, and solve problems.

4. Strong oral and written communication skills, including attention to grammar and syntax.

5. Excellent attention to detail.

6. Ability to work independently and collaborate with others as needed

7. Experience with website management using HTML and/or content management system (e.g., Cascade)

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

1. Four to six years of marketing, and/or communications experience, including writing press releases and designing communications materials utilizing software such as Adobe Creative Cloud; or other relevant experience required.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

1. Knowledge of clinical trials and research management.

2. Experience with event planning

Target hiring range for this position will be between be Salary range is as be $70,017 - $91,000 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.

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.

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