Internal Communications Specialist (Hybrid)

The Highlights: Reporting to the Director, Internal Communications, the Internal Communications Specialist plays a lead role in the production and delivery of the weekly university newsletter, including managing weekly content meetings, driving the editorial direction and creating original content to showcase university news and activities. Content development includes writing, editing, and identifying appropriate multimedia assets. The specialist assists with editing and production for university-wide messages and maintenance of the news website. This position works closely with the Digital Communications Specialist to review and analyze metrics associated with the newsletter and news website to track channel effectiveness and engagement. As part of the internal communications strategy, this position also supports certain executive communications functions at the university. 
  What You'll Do:

• Manages, edits and produces Newsline on a weekly basis. 
• Manages Newsline’s editorial calendar, collaborating with communications colleagues and university partners to curate content.
• Writes and edits content for the weekly newsletter and identifies complementary multimedia assets and builds and sends the weekly newsletter using Salesforce Marketing Cloud. 
• Along with the Digital Communications Specialist, evaluates the success and effectiveness of Newsline using quantitative and qualitative methods to determine the effectiveness of those efforts, better inform decision-making and ensure that resources are allocated to deliver the greatest impact.
• Assists the Director in developing and implementing plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish Newsline goals.
• Supports internal communications strategy and execution. 
• Working closely with the Director of Internal Communications, assists with the strategy, coordination and writing of university-wide messages. Copyedits and manages delivery of university-wide messages for university leaders. 
• Assists with production of the monthly Board of Trustees newsletter and other executive communications tasks. 
• Supports internal communications needs during crisis situations. 
• Proactively engages with communications colleagues and university partners to independently plan, write, and edit content to engage audiences campus wide. 
• Applies consistent and relevant messaging across internal communications, tied to the university’s brand, goals and priorities. 
• Provides strategic communications guidance to university units on an ongoing basis.
• Develops and manages a personal workflow and project management process to balance department resources with the many communication needs of campus colleagues. 

What You'll Need:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations, marketing, communication, English or related discipline required. 
• Master's degree in related field preferred. 
• Three to five years of internal communications experiences with demonstrated competencies and a proven track record of excellent writing and editing. 
• Exhibits a high degree of comfort and flexibility managing multiple competing priorities while maintaining attention to complex details in a fast-paced and unpredictable environment.
• Internal communications experience preferred
• Proven track record of excellent writing and editing
• Ability to perform effectively under pressure and in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment
• High level of professionalism and effective communication skills, both verbal and written
• Experience with Marketing Cloud, SharePoint and Monday.com preferred
• Familiarity with the AP Style and proofreading marks
• Experience with HTML and CMS platform
• Demonstrated research and writing skills (collecting data, research, and preparing reports and presentations); and a high-level of attention to detail
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to work on multiple projects and tight deadlines
• Familiarity with design, photography, videography and other multimedia is preferred
• Team player who values working in a collaborative setting 
• Ability to treat sensitive and confidential matters with a high level of discretion
• Ability to anticipate and troubleshoot problems as they arise.
• Ability to respond with an appropriate degree of urgency to the needs and requests of others.
• Ability to work full-time on campus and travel between the Loop and Lincoln Park Campuses as necessary

The university is in the midst of a digital transformation, and the person in this role will have the opportunity to partner with the director for internal communications to shift how important news is shared with audiences at the university.

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