Communications Coordinator

Department

Office of President Chief of Staff

About the Department

The Office of the President supports the work of President Paul Alivisatos, providing leadership, coordination, and administrative support to strategic initiatives, programs, and activities that advance the mission and eminence of the University of Chicago. The Office also undertakes a broad range of activities that support the ongoing work of the president. Information about the Office of the President is available at this link: https://president.uchicago.edu/about-the-office.

Job Summary

The Communications Coordinator plays a vital role in the Office of the President, supporting the development and dissemination of communications on behalf of the president and the University. The incumbent is responsible for drafting, editing, and managing various forms of presidential correspondence and communications, ensuring alignment with the University’s strategic objectives and maintaining the president's voice and style in all communications.

Responsibilities

• Draft, edit, and distribute presidential correspondence and university-wide communications, using mass messaging clients, as needed.

• Oversee processes for managing incoming mail and email communications, execute outgoing correspondence, as needed.

• Collaborate with colleagues across the University to support the production of background materials, talking points, and other communications for the president and senior staff.

• Coordinate with staff in the Office of the President in support of the preparation of daily briefing materials, attending relevant meetings to anticipate and coordinate presidential engagements.

• Edit and fact-check internal messaging and event materials, ensuring alignment with university style and institutional communication strategies.

• Conceptualize, research, and write a range of content, including award letters, memos, and invitations, for diverse internal and external audiences.

• Provide highly skilled copy editing to ensure clarity, accuracy, and consistency in messaging.

• Plan and track assigned writing projects, ensuring timely and successful execution.

• Coordinate with staff in other units to incorporate feedback, maintain consistent tone, and ensure cohesive messaging in multi-contributor pieces.

• Ensure that the Office of the President website is regularly updated.

• Cultivate an in-depth understanding of the University and its stakeholders to sustain aligned messaging and positioning.

• Provide support to organization and archival of presidential materials.

• Plans, develops and disseminates information designed to keep the public informed of the organization's programs, accomplishments, or point of view, with moderate levels of guidance and direction.

• Accomplishes assigned duties through two or more of the following: written communications; visual/graphic media, which may include Web site development and maintenance; speeches and personal contact. The incumbent is still acquiring higher-level knowledge and skills.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience: 

• Demonstrated ability to draft, edit, and distribute various forms of professional correspondence.

• Experience in conceptualizing, researching, and writing a diverse range of content.

• Adept at planning and tracking multiple writing projects, ensuring timely and successful execution while maintaining the president's voice and style in all communications.

Preferred Competencies

• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with proficiency in the Chicago Manual of Style.

• Demonstrated ability to exercise judgment, diplomacy, and commitment to confidentiality.

• Strong project management skills with experience managing multiple deliverables.

• Excellent research and fact-checking abilities.

• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

• Deep understanding of institutional communications strategies and objectives.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover letter (required)

• Referenc