Senior Communications Coordinator

Northwestern University; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 66,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition benefits

Paid vacation & holidays

Job summary

Northwestern University’s Kellogg Communications team seeks a senior communications coordinator to execute media strategy, strengthen Kellogg’s reputation, and support a broad range of communications activities. The role involves collaborating with media colleagues, researching industry trends, and shaping relationships with reporters to amplify coverage.

You will contribute to reporting and measurement of external communications goals, develop materials, and help manage a team of undergraduate

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and experience.
• 1–3 years’ experience in entry-level communications or public relations.
• Strong organizational, project management and workflow coordination skills.
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities.
• Professional communication one-to-one and in groups.

Responsibilities

• Promote Kellogg’s reputation through proactive and reactive media relations.
• Develop visibility platforms for faculty research and dean.
• Lead media reporting and analytics aligned with strategic goals.
• Draft content for Kellogg-owned channels.
• Recruit, retain and mentor undergraduate interns for the external relations team.
• Support media strategy development and reporting.

Skills

PR experience

Organizational skills

Writing & editing

Attention to detail

Fast-paced environment

Communication

Self-starter

Social media

MS Office fluency

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

MS Office

PowerPoint

Job description

Job Summary

The senior communications coordinator plays a key role on Kellogg’s Integrated Marketing and Communications team, focusing on executing media strategy to advance Kellogg’s reputation and supporting a breadth of communications activities across the team. The coordinator will work closely with media and communications colleagues to help shape media strategy, conduct competitor research, and identify and cultivate productive relationships with members of the media. This position will have the opportunity to hone their communications skills through helping to manage the school’s relationship with the media, contributing to reporting and measurement of the external communications team’s strategic goals and developing communications materials. They will gain valuable exposure to a variety of strategic communications initiatives implemented across the organization.

Department

Kellogg Communications

Salary/Grade

EXS/6

Please note: Evening and weekend hours are occasionally necessary when workload or event coverage requires it.

Specific Responsibilities

Media Relations

• In partnership with the external communications team, promote Kellogg’s reputation to the business community, academic community, prospective students, alumni, donors and other key audiences through proactive and reactive media relations.
• Partner closely with faculty to create visibility platforms for their research and insights
• Support media visibility strategies for the dean
• Lead research to aid the external communications team in making strategic decisions regarding media inquiries and reporter relationships
• Partner with colleagues across the IMC team and Kellogg to ensure that media coverage is amplified across appropriate channels

Media Reporting & Analytics

• Drive weekly and monthly media reporting and measurement aligned with the external communications team’s strategic goals
• Partner with IMC colleagues to drive reporting of thought leadership performance on Kellogg-owned channels, as needed

Content Development

• Draft content (e.g., key messages, blog posts, news releases) for Kellogg-owned channels, as needed

Intern Team Management

• Partner with Manager of External Relations to recruit, retain and develop a team of part-time undergraduate interns serving the external communications team
• Manage the day-to-day workflow of the intern team, serving as ongoing manager and mentor

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired.

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

• 1–3 years’ experience in an entry-level communications or public relations role involving media relations.
• Strong organizational, project management and workflow coordination skills
• Strong writing and editing skills
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, handle multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines
• Communicates effectively and professionally one-to-one and in small groups
• Self starter who takes initiative and proposes new ideas and solutions
• Working knowledge of social media
• Exceptional fluency in MS Office suite (including Power Point), English-language grammar and Associated Press style rules

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Familiarity with scaled nonprofit and higher education environments.

Target hiring range for this position will be $65,800 - $71,500 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.

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.