Associate Director, Marketing and Communications

Northwestern University; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid vacation & holidays

Tuition benefits

Job summary

The Associate Director of Marketing and Communications at Northwestern University’s Alumni Relations & Development leads a broad portfolio of print and digital communications for alumni engagement and fundraising. The role requires strategic project management, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and oversight of freelancers to ensure brand-consistent messaging across materials.

Hybrid work arrangement is eligible, with up to two days remote and three onsite; the position focuses on

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Eight years of marketing/communications or other relevant writing experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop communications from concept through execution.
• Lead strategic projects and manage partners, budgets, goals, and schedules.

Skills

Editorial skills

Strategic planning

Partner management

Project management

Communication excellence

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

Microsoft Office

Smartsheet

Chicago Manual of Style

Job description

Department: Alumni Relations & Development

Salary/Grade: EXS/8

Please note: The target budgeted salary for this position is $75,000 to $80,000 annually. 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 associate director of marketing and communications is an accomplished writer, editor, and strategic project manager with broad-based responsibilities for planning, overseeing, and implementing a wide range of communications on behalf of Northwestern Alumni Relations and Development (ARD), including the Northwestern Alumni Association (NAA). The associate director manages a portfolio of projects in a fast-paced environment, collaborating with team members and interacting with ARD and University partners, and coordinating freelance writers, editors, designers, and photographers as needed. Projects include managing and developing print and digital communications for alumni and donor engagement, such as event marketing materials, social media copy, stewardship materials, magazine stories, press releases, gift announcements, and fundraising solicitations.

Please note: This role is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, up to two days remote and three onsite

*Note: Not all aspects of the job are covered by this job description.

Specific Responsibilities

• Collaborate with team members to develop new communications, from concept through execution
• Serve as the strategic project lead for individual projects and integrated, multi-faceted programs, managing partner relations and communication plan development (goal, strategy, target, channel mix, schedules, and budget)
• Collaborate with team members (including design, social, digital, and video) and ARD and University partners at all levels
• Ensure projects and programs are on strategy, on time, and on budget
• Review, copyedit, and proofread print and digital communications materials.
• Enforce editorial and brand guidelines
• Adapt messaging and tone as appropriate for different circumstances and audiences
• Decipher complex concepts and translate them to accessible language for general audiences
• Work with director to maintain and develop smooth and efficient processes for the marketing and communications team
• Audit editorial quality and identify opportunities to improve communication effectiveness
• Develop short- and long-form content for a variety of strategic, engagement, fundraising, and stewardship materials, including newsletters, press releases, and magazine stories (print and digital)
• Conduct research and interviews for the development of content

Miscellaneous

• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications (Education, Experience, Certifications, Skills)

• Successful completion of a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• Eight years of marketing/communications or other relevant writing experience

Preferred Qualifications (Education, Experience, Certifications, Skills)

• Experience managing partners or clients, complex tasks, and large-scale multi-faceted marketing or editorial projects
• Ability to think strategically and creatively, collaborate, and demonstrate attention to detail
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects and completing them under tight deadlines
• Experience developing strategic communication plans
• Exceptional communication skills: interviewing, writing, editing, and proofreading
• Experience in higher education advancement or complex organization
• Experience writing fundraising solicitations
• Experience in Chicago Manual of Style
• Experience in a project management workflow system such as Smartsheet
• Strong portfolio of writing that is clear, accurate, and compelling
• Ability to adapt writing styles to different tonalities and voices
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Track Changes

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.