Job Summary:

The Communications Coordinator provides project leadership for communications initiatives (e.g., digital, print publication, audiovisual, and social media projects) and assists with event programming for the Third Coast Center for AIDS Research (CFAR). Manages specific communications projects across the entire Center and ensures that projects meet Center goals. Serves as the CFAR communications editor, developing and executing a communications content strategy that supports the CFAR brand position.

Third Coast Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) has a grand vision – to end the HIV epidemic, with Chicago as a national model for high-impact research collaborations. Third Coast CFAR partners include Northwestern University and the University of Chicago, the Chicago and Illinois Departments of Public Health, and key community organizations, including Howard Brown Health, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Center on Halsted, AllianceChicago, and many others. Our mission is to catalyze cross-institutional and cross-disciplinary HIV research collaborations with a broad scope and major impact on the HIV epidemic in Chicago. The Third Coast CFAR is one of a national network of Centers for AIDS Research, the purpose of which is to synergistically enhance and coordinate high quality HIV research projects. The emphasis is on collaboration between basic and clinical investigators in order to enhance translational research — a type of research in which findings from the laboratory and behavioral science are brought to the clinic and vice versa. In doing this work, we aim to value diversity, inclusion, and community engagement.

Specific Responsibilities:

  • Manage communications initiatives for CFAR ranging from website maintenance, content development, e-newsletters, audiovisual creation, publication management, and social media.
  • Lead and advise the Center on the development of effective communications strategies; manage and execute projects as assigned.
  • Assist with event programming, including inviting speakers, advertising events, and setting up seminars and webinars.
  • Research, compile, and disseminate external events and media related to Chicago area HIV research.
  • Create communications and educational activities, training videos, infographics, events, presentations, marketing, etc.
  • Coordinate the development and dissemination of collateral materials such as videos, programs, posters, invitations, etc.
  • Promote the Center using broadcast email, websites, social media, advertising, etc.
  • Analyze information and recommend metrics to determine success of communications initiatives and create associated reports.
  • Serve as the primary communications editor for the Center, determining communications content strategy.
  • Assess that programming and communication meets visual and content brand requirements.
  • Serve as liaison to communications staff members at the Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, ISCI, and other university departments and programs.
  • Support Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing (ISGMH) communications as needed, such as marketing events and writing web stories on HIV research topics.

Other Duties

  • May oversee consultants or interns as needed.
  • Other duties as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree in a major such as communications/marketing, social sciences, journalism, healthcare, public health, or related field; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
  • Minimum two years of experience developing digital content in an academic, public health, or corporate environment, including experience with content planning, creation, dissemination, and maintenance.

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

  • Excellent writing and communications skills
  • Demonstrated strategic communications/marketing skills
  • Demonstrated communications/marketing execution skills
  • Demonstrated experience in content marketing, including broadcast email and social media
  • Demonstrated experience in event planning and marketing
  • Demonstrated experience in basic video editing and graphic design

Preferred Qualifications:

  • 1-2 years of work experience developing multimedia marketing plans inclusive of offline media, digital, content, and events.
  • 1-2 years of work experience in academic events planning.
  • Prior experience as a health or science communications practitioner implementing digital strategies or content strategies.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

  • Interest or experience in working on LGBTQ issues
  • Interest or experience in working in HIV prevention

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.

To Apply: To apply for this position, navigate to careers.northwestern.edu, search for job ID 45156, and click Apply for Job.

ISGMH Diversity Statement: ISGMH’s commitment to diversity is critical to our mission of advancing access to excellence in academic programs, world-class research, and health programs. Engagement in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military service, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression will not be tolerated. Through its work, ISGMH advances the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ individuals. Staff and trainees should expect to find a diversity of sexual orientations and gender identities among ISGMH staff, trainees, research participants, and in outreach experiences. We highlight the importance of respecting and valuing this aspect of diversity among staff and trainees.

Northwestern requires all staff and faculty to be vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to limited exceptions. For more information, please visit our COVID-19 and Campus Updates website.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.