Senior Director, Global Communications

University of Chicago • Chicago, IL

115d • $165,000 - $190,000

About The Position

The Senior Director of Global Communications is a key member of the Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) executive leadership team, reporting to the Executive Director. This role manages a team or multiple teams of managers and professional staff responsible for planning, preparing and disseminating information designed to keep the public informed of the University's perspectives, programs, and accomplishments. Develops and plans marketing, press relations, creative editorial and design services, and internal communications. In coordination with BFI leadership and supported by a highly talented staff, the Senior Director is responsible for both internal and external communications, including: Communicating Chicago Economics research insights to key external stakeholders, including the media, decision-makers and thought leaders in business, government, and nonprofit institutions. Communicating BFI programming, resources, and other news with the University of Chicago leadership, academic community, and alumni. Advancing BFI's national and global visibility, reputation, and prestige with external audiences in support of the Institute's strategic initiatives and priorities. Developing an outreach program to engage leaders and partners around the world who can benefit from the Institute’s research discoveries and intellectual capital. Making faculty research accessible to external audiences using various communication vehicles, such as events, direct engagement, and legacy, digital and social media.

Requirements

• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations, marketing, economics, English or a related field.
• Graduate degree.
• 10-15 years working in an economic research/policy communications environment in a leadership role.
• Significant management experience.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with academic researchers.
• Background with common web/communications tools and software platforms.

Responsibilities

• Works as part of the BFI leadership team on overall strategy, goals, and vision for the institute.
• Creates policy-relevant and accessible summary documents to accompany research, such as policy briefs, op-eds, blogs, testimony, speeches, video clips and podcasts.
• Leads strategic outreach to media regarding BFI research and other UChicago economics research.
• Creates and builds opportunities for BFI to engage with US and global economic policymakers and policy-relevant institutions.
• Manages all BFI communications and communications assets for both internal and external audiences.
• Leads execution of BFI events, both internal and external.
• Directly leads three distinct teams: Communications, Events, and Digital Media.
• Manages the budgets for all three teams, partnering with the Finance team on invoicing, expense tracking, and forecasting.
• Implements innovative strategies in managing media interface.
• Oversees the writing, preparation, and/or delivery of information from or about the unit.

Benefits

• The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees