Communications Specialist

Northwestern University; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid vacation

Parental leave

Tuition benefits

Job summary

The Northwestern IT Communications team seeks a creative Communications Specialist to translate complex technology topics into clear, engaging content for students, faculty, and staff. You will craft content for websites, e-newsletters, social media, presentations, and campaigns, collaborating with technology leaders and campus stakeholders to promote services and innovations.

You’ll lead content planning and performance evaluation for Northwestern IT's channels, identify compelling stories, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing, English, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in communications, content development, marketing, or related area.
• Experience creating content for websites, social media, e-newsletters, or other digital channels.
• Excellent writing, editing, verbal communication, and storytelling skills.
• Ability to translate technical information into clear, customer-friendly content.
• Strong project management, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience collaborating with stakeholders and managing multiple projects and deadlines.
• Basic understanding of Google Analytics, web accessibility principles, and web content management.

Responsibilities

• Develop clear, engaging content for websites, e-newsletters, social media, presentations, digital signage, marketing materials, and other communications.
• Create communications supporting new, changing, migrating, or retiring technology services, systems, and processes.
• Translate technical information into accessible, audience-friendly content for students, faculty, and staff.
• Partner with technology leaders, service owners, communications colleagues, and campus stakeholders to plan and execute communications and marketing initiatives.
• Lead content planning, publishing, and performance evaluation for Northwestern IT's social media channels.
• Identify and develop stories that highlight Northwestern IT services, people, partnerships, and innovation.
• Support the planning and promotion of events, trainings, workshops, meetings, and campus engagement activities.
• Maintain accurate, current, and accessible web content in alignment with web accessibility and user-experience practices.
• Use tools such as Google Analytics and Siteimprove, along with audience feedback, to evaluate content and improve communications.
• Review and edit communications developed by colleagues to ensure they are accurate, clear, concise, compelling, accessible, and consistent.
• Manage multiple projects, priorities, stakeholders, and deadlines in a collaborative environment.
• Assist with timely communications during technology incidents or service disruptions, including occasional work outside regular business hours

Skills

Writing

Editing

Storytelling

Project management

Stakeholder collaboration

Content strategy

Analytics basics

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing, English, or related field

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Google Analytics

Siteimprove

Cascade CMS

HTML

Adobe Creative Cloud

Job description

Department: IT Communications

Salary/Grade: ITS/77

Location: Evanston, Illinois

Target hiring range for this position will be between $65,120-80,000 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

The Northwestern IT Communications team is looking for a creative, collaborative Communications Specialist with strong writing, storytelling, and project management skills. The ideal candidate excels at translating complex topics into clear, compelling content, building relationships with various stakeholders, and developing communications that help people understand and engage with technology (e.g., generative AI, enterprise systems, and more).

Alongside team members, you will create content for Northwestern IT's websites, e-newsletters, social media channels, presentations, digital media, marketing campaigns, and internal communications. You will work with technology leaders, service owners, students, faculty, and staff across the University to promote IT services and events, communicate technology changes, highlight innovation, and share stories that demonstrate how technology supports teaching, learning, research, and University operations.

We value a collaborative and audience-focused approach to communications, from initial planning through delivery and evaluation. Team members are encouraged to take initiative, develop new skills, contribute ideas, and experiment with new formats and approaches. This position offers the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects, build connections across Northwestern, and help shape how Northwestern IT communicates with the University community.

We live our values in our hiring practices and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, experiences, and perspectives. Please provide a cover letter and resume. Short-listed candidates may be asked to share relevant writing or communications samples.

Specific Responsibilities

• Develop clear, engaging content for websites, e-newsletters, social media, presentations, digital signage, marketing materials, and other communications.
• Create communications supporting new, changing, migrating, or retiring technology services, systems, and processes.
• Translate technical information into accessible, audience-friendly content for students, faculty, and staff.
• Partner with technology leaders, service owners, communications colleagues, and campus stakeholders to plan and execute communications and marketing initiatives.
• Lead content planning, publishing, and performance evaluation for Northwestern IT's social media channels.
• Identify and develop stories that highlight Northwestern IT services, people, partnerships, and innovation.
• Support the planning and promotion of events, trainings, workshops, meetings, and campus engagement activities.
• Maintain accurate, current, and accessible web content in alignment with web accessibility and user-experience practices.
• Use tools such as Google Analytics and Siteimprove, along with audience feedback, to evaluate content and improve communications.
• Review and edit communications developed by colleagues to ensure they are accurate, clear, concise, compelling, accessible, and consistent.
• Manage multiple projects, priorities, stakeholders, and deadlines in a collaborative environment.
• Assist with timely communications during technology incidents or service disruptions, including occasional work outside regular business hours

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing, English, or a related field
• Three to five years of experience in communications, content development, marketing, or a related area
• Demonstrated experience creating content for websites, social media, e-newsletters, or other digital channels
• Excellent writing, editing, verbal communication, and storytelling skills
• Ability to translate complex or technical concepts into clear, customer-friendly content
• Strong project management, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Experience collaborating with stakeholders and managing multiple projects and deadlines
• Basic understanding of Google Analytics, web accessibility principles, and web content management
• Adaptability, initiative, attention to detail, and an interest in learning new technologies

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing, English, or a related field
• Communications or marketing experience in higher education or a technology-focused environment
• Advanced experience with Google Analytics, SEO, web accessibility, web design, or user-experience testing
• Experience developing and evaluating social media strategies
• Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud and video- or audio-editing tools
• Experience creating graphic, video, audio, animated, or other visual content
• Familiarity with Cascade or another web content management system
• Working knowledge of HTML
• Experience working in a decentralized organization and building relationships across multiple teams or units

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 parentalleave;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.