Communications Coordinator

Department: MED-Physical Med & Rehab
Salary/Grade: EXS/5

Target hiring range for this position will be between $50,000-$60,000 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.

Job Summary:

Under the direction of the Executive Director of the NU Prosthetics-Orthotics Center (NUPOC), the Communications Coordinator is responsible for coordinating a wide variety of writing, editing, proofreading, formatting, and fact-checking assignments for NUPOC and the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. The successful candidate will prepare written materials for academic, education, research, outreach, and branding including content that will expand NUPOC's web presence and social media impact. Specifically, the individual will prepare content for publications, maintain websites and social media feeds, and execute NUPOC's overall communications strategy.

S/he will also be responsible for organizing and coordinating education and research events, and will provide technical support for departmental events that such as lectures, meetings, and conferences. This role will plan, coordinate and execute NUPOC events as well as provide information and/or tours of departmental resources, common facilities, and general information on NUPOC.

Specific Responsibilities:

Online communications support:

• Develops web and print articles on NUPOC related topics based on academic publications, news, honors, awards, events, and research-related summaries and short articles. Frequently updates websites.
• Prepare and lay out content for the NUPOC News biannual newsletter. Maintain stakeholders' email distribution list.
• Enlists members of the NUPOC's community to provide source material and technical content for story and news ideas. Often adapts existing content to other digital media and print formats.
• Incorporates social media and networking into NUPOC's online presence as appropriate. This includes developing and posting content for NUPOC's Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
• Follows Search Engine Optimization best practices.
• * Collaborate with students regarding student led communication efforts and best practices in the dissemination of the student newsletter and social media efforts.
• Assist faculty with maintaining and updating their online Faculty profiles on the NU FSM Website.
• Serve as NUPOC's liaison to the communications teams of the Office for Research and Feinberg School Medicine.

Event coordination and program promotion:

• Organizes and coordinates one-off or ongoing meetings, workshops, symposia, seminars, and other special events.
• * Serves as a liaison between NUPOC and providers of resources needed for execution of the meetings, symposia, seminars, and special events.
• Schedules appropriate venues and anticipates technology needs, and acquires any special materials required. Ensures that the logistics and details are planned well in advance for flawless execution.
• Manages logistical arrangements for all NUPOC networking activities, special events, and outreach programs.
• Attends events as to ensure their smooth functioning and recruits other staff members to support large events. Events may include attending conferences and managing the NUPOC table to connect with alumni and stakeholders within the profession.
• Creates announcements, flyers, banners, and video monitor postings. Regularly updates PlanIt Purple, the university's events calendar. Drafts and posts event-related website announcements and social media content.
• Guest management of guest speakers and visitors, including design of visitor agendas and serving as a point of contact for visitors.
• Provide information and tours of NUPOC resources to prospective students and guests.

Photos and media:

• Takes digital photos or coordinates professional photography sessions as required. Conducts image searches on- and offline. Obtains copyright and audiovisual release forms as needed. Assists NUPOC Media Coordinator as necessary.
• Helps to augment and maintain NUPOC's photo database by ensuring proper storage and quick retrieval of digital images and other media files.

Information Coordination:

• Organizes communications information and maintains accurate, up-to-date, and well-organized shared folders and files containing work product.
• Conducts information searches and works with the team to develop proposals for new projects.
• Serves as point person for the communications team, organizing meetings and staying on top of event schedules, project deadlines, team member work assignments, etc.
• Monitors affiliated centers' websites, social media, reports, events, and outreach activities to coordinate affiliate communications in conjunction with NUPOC efforts.

General communications support:

• Collaborates with NUPOC faculty and staff on editing, writing, fact-checking, and proofreading for a variety of print and online materials, in accordance with assigned deadlines.
• Follows APA, University, and in-house style guidelines. Ensures that content is free of spelling and grammatical errors,and meets NUPOC's high standards for accuracy and factual rigor.
• Identifies accompanying images, graphics, and hyperlinks; and sources/produces the related content. Adapts existing content to other digital media and print formats. Performs other duties as assigned.
• Maintain various departmental mailing lists for distribution of information (mailings, invitation, attendance, RSVP lists)

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in communication, journalism, the liberal arts, or the equivalent combination of education, training, and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired.
• 1-2 years' work experience involving significant writing, editing, and communications assignments.
• Demonstrated experience in writing and editing content in an academic setting or for the web and social media.

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

• Outstanding writing, verbal communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to grasp general science concepts, while focusing on organization of content, grammar, spelling, consistent use of terminology and abbreviations, etc.
• Rigorous attention to detail; well versed in AP style, with a sharp eye for grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• 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 maintain effective working relationships with faculty, researchers, students, co-workers, and colleagues across various University Departments.
• Exceptional fluency in MS Office suite (including PowerPoint) and English-language grammar

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in communication, journalism, or the liberal arts.
• Applicable experience involving writing assignments on scientific or technical subject matter.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Demonstrated interest in prosthetics and orthotics education and research.

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.

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