Digital Communications Assistant - Hybrid Washington, DC Office

NORC at the University of Chicago • Washington DC, WA

5h • $54,000 - $68,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

NORC at the University of Chicago is seeking a Communications Assistant to join the digital communications team within Strategic Communications. This is a role for someone who believes that rigorous, independent research can help make the world a better place, and wants to be part of getting it into the right hands. You’ll be part of a small, high-impact team responsible for NORC’s digital presence across social media, web, and email. You’ll craft content that translates complex research into compelling stories, design scroll-stopping social graphics and videos, and help manage the digital channels that connect NORC’s work with the policymakers, researchers, clients, and partners who can put it to use. This is a hands-on role that rewards initiative, curiosity, and a sharp eye. You’ll have real ownership over work that matters, and the opportunity to grow alongside a team that values both creativity and precision. Please note: This is a hybrid position available from either our Chicago Loop or Washington, D.C. office, with a minimum of 6 days per month in the office. DEPARTMENT: Strategic Communications The Strategic Communications department drives NORC’s brand, reputation, and visibility across every channel and audience. The department brings together expertise in corporate communications, creative services, digital communications and marketing, internal communications, and project-level communications support. We manage NORC’s social media presence, email marketing, and website properties, and we partner with project teams on dissemination strategies that help NORC’s research reach the people who need it. NORC partners with government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world to inform the critical decisions facing society, and we ensure that work gets seen, understood, and used, both for our clients and for broader public impact.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience in the field.
• 1 year of relevant work or internship experience.
• Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills and a strong client-service orientation.
• High attention to detail, especially around branding, design, format consistency, and timeliness of deliverables.
• Proven examples of strong content for a variety of social media channels, from ideation to writing and editing to publishing.
• Demonstrated organizational, coordination, and task management abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with strong performance/results.
• Team player with a commitment to a collaborative work environment, both virtually and in person.
• Interest in and commitment to social science research and mission-driven work.
• Capable and eager to work effectively with multiple departments, stakeholders, and internal clients; and ability to work with multiple layers of the organization (including C-level executives).

Nice To Haves

• Design experience and familiarity with Adobe Create Suite, AEM, HTML, SharePoint a plus.

Responsibilities

• Create, write, design, and publish social media content across all of NORC’s channels (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, X, Threads, YouTube, and others as they emerge), using both Sprout Social and native platform tools.
• Develop social copy that distills complex research findings into clear, engaging language appropriate for each platform and audience.
• Design social graphics and short-form video content using Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or other similar tools, working within established brand templates while bringing a strong visual sensibility to every piece.
• Support digital advertising campaigns, including ad creation, placement, and performance monitoring across social and search platforms.
• Maintain and update content on NORC’s website (built on Adobe Experience Manager), ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with brand standards.
• Monitor platform algorithms, trends, and best practices across all social channels, and proactively recommend adjustments to content strategy and posting approach.
• Employ AI tools thoughtfully and strategically to enhance content workflows, always maintaining human editorial judgment and quality control.
• Track, analyze, and report on social media, web, and advertising performance metrics, translating data into actionable recommendations.
• Assist in the coordination of digital communications projects, including participation in timeline, budget, and content management activities.
• Proofread and fact-check all content with meticulous attention to detail, catching errors in copy, data, attributions, and formatting before anything goes live.
• Work closely with communications colleagues and stakeholders throughout the organization as needed and appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Generously subsidized health insurance, effective on the first day of employment
• Dental and vision insurance
• A defined contribution retirement program, along with a separate voluntary 403(b) retirement program
• Group life insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance
• Benefits that promote work/life balance, including generous paid time off, holidays; paid parental leave, bereavement leave, tuition assistance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level