Director of Communications
University of Chicago
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Job summary
University of Chicago’s Data Science Institute seeks a Director of Communications to lead internal and external communications, advancing groundbreaking research, partnerships, and educational programs in data science and AI. The role reports to senior leadership and aligns messaging across programs, events, and teams to build the Institute’s brand.
The Director oversees strategy, channels, and content, including press, digital, and social media, while guiding a team and managing contractors.
Qualifications
- Graduate degree in a related field.
- 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
- Experience in higher education or data science organizations.
- Experience with public relations, journalism, marketing, content marketing, digital storytelling, website management, and/or social media.
- Experience with developing recruitment marketing strategies to enhance student enrollment.
- Experience with strategic planning.
- Supervisory experience.
Responsibilities
- Lead the DSI communications staff and set goals aligned with DSI’s strategy.
- Develop and maintain the DSI brand and messaging.
- Oversee DSI website, helping to maintain security, compliance, and brand alignment.
- Drive strategy and content creation for DSI channels, including newsletters, website, and social media.
- Plan, develop and disseminate information about the Institute’s programs, research accomplishments and viewpoints.
- Provide communications trainings for DSI staff and researchers on best practices for websites, social media, and more.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
PSD Data Science: Staff Leadership
The Data Science Institute at the University of Chicago was established to support the development of emerging efforts in data science and AI across the University. The staff in the Data Science Institute support the University’s community of scholars, their shared ideals, and the core values that make the University a singular intellectual destination. Together with the University's deans and department chairs, the Data Science Institute provides the opportunities, infrastructure, and resources that encourage our faculty and other scholars to pursue their finest work. We are part of the Physical Sciences Division which includes departments and several interdisciplinary research institutes and centers.
The Director of Communications leads efforts to highlight groundbreaking research, partnerships, and educational programs in data science and AI, expanding the visibility of the Data Science Institute (DSI) and continuing to develop the brand and reputation of the Institute. Reporting to the Senior Director of Partnerships and Chief of Staff, the Director of Communications oversees the development and optimization of internal and external communication mechanisms and infrastructure within DSI to improve capabilities and brand alignment across a variety of programs, events, initiatives, and teams. Executes a strategic plan that incorporates all DSI programming and ensures goals align across distinct areas.
- Manages DSI’s communications staff, meeting regularly to provide support, helping set goals in alignment with DSI’s strategy, reviewing work product, and evaluating performance.
- Leads the continued development of the DSI brand and messaging.
- Oversees DSI website, helping to maintain security, compliance, and brand alignment.
- Drives strategy and content creation for DSI’s channels, including newsletters, website, and social media.
- Acts as a strategist and project lead to plan, develop and disseminate information designed to keep the University informed of the Institute’s programs, research accomplishments and point of view.
- Provides communications trainings for DSI staff and researchers on best practices for websites, social media, and more.
- Creates communications plans for internal and external announcements that take into consideration points of conflict and complex interests of a wide range of stakeholders.
- Crafts internal and external messages on behalf of the Faculty Directors and Executive Director, including responses to sensitive or complex issues, speeches, scripts, talking points, and more.
- Writes articles and releases as needed.
- Creates and cultivates pathways for UChicago expertise in data science and AI to contribute to national conversations.
- Builds communications plans for research initiatives and graduate programs.
- Coordinates with counterparts, including internal and external institutions, departments, and organizations (UChicago departments and institutes, other partner institutions, Industry Affiliate members, nonprofit partners, etc.) to achieve consensus for major news releases.
- Analyzes data to assess the effectiveness of communication strategies and develops plans for improvement.
- Assists the program directors with marketing of graduate programs through the development of campaigns and creation of collateral to ensure brand alignment.
- Serves as project manager for other communications projects (e.g., donor engagement, annual report, etc.).
- Hires and manages contractors (photographers, graphic artists, web development, etc.) as needed.
- Assists in the creation and promotion of campaigns that cultivate an environment of belonging for DSI constituents.
- Collaborates with University’s central media relations and news teams to disseminate information designed to keep the public informed and maximize outreach efforts.
- Makes high-level contributions to the media interface, including writing press releases, planning and organizing media coverage for major events, and crafting responses to sensitive or controversial issues.
- Solves complex and unique problems related to the writing, preparation, and/or delivery of information from or about the unit.
- Develops the writing, preparation, and/or delivery of information from or about the unit. Is accountable for maintaining the unit's goals and communications strategy in publications, announcements, and speeches.
- Provides leadership and supervision of communications staff. May manage the communications budget.
- Performs other related work as needed.
- Graduate degree in a related field.
- Experience working in higher education or data science organizations.
- Experience working with researchers.
- Experience with public relations, journalism, marketing, content marketing, digital storytelling, website management, and/or social media.
- Experience with developing recruitment marketing strategies to enhance student enrollment.
- Experience with strategic planning.
- Supervisory experience.
- Strong computer skills including knowledge of email distribution software, Adobe Creative Suite and/or similar applications.
- Advanced skills in WordPress, Google Analytics or similar platforms; CSS/HTML a plus.
- Experience using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint.
- An understanding of and passion for data science and AI.
- Ability to develop strategic communications for a large organization.
- Excellent written and spoken communications skills (including knowledge of correct English usage, Chicago and AP style guides).
- Effective strategic professional who can clearly communicate complex issues to a variety of audiences.
- Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
- Organized self-starter, able to work strategically and independently.
- Effective bridge-builder, able to work across communities.
- Ability to successfully manage a workload that balances long-range planning with the unanticipated daily demands of managing publicly visible projects.
- Must be able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated success in building collaborative relationships with diverse constituencies.
- Able to work with a diverse workforce in a complex decentralized environment.
- Exceptional organizational skills.
- A resourceful problem-solver and critical thinker, able to be proactive in leveraging opportunities and anticipating and averting problems.
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
- Resume (required)
- Cover Letter (required)
- Published writing sample (link or PDF of article, blog, op-ed, web copy, etc.)—STEM content (required)
The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
Communications
People Manager
37.5
No
No
No
Salary
Exempt
$110,000.00 - $125,000.00
Yes
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction
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