Senior Assistant Director of Digital Communications and Social Media

Department

Harris Communications & Content

About The Department

Policy with real impact doesn’t evolve from ideology or intuition, or even experience. At the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy developing effective public policy is a science, based on data and measurable impact.

Addressing today’s interconnected, global challenges requires rigorous inquiry. It also requires innovative people who will face the facts, gather data, and understand why current policies exist to improve them.

For more than thirty years, the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy has been steadfastly committed to serving society by advancing analysis- and evidence-informed policy. Guided by this exacting mission, our community of 60 tenure-track scholars, more than 1,200 students, and more than 6,000 alumni from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors are taking on the world’s most important problems by using the latest tools of social science.

The second-largest professional school at the University of Chicago and home to one of its largest undergraduate majors, Harris Public Policy offers a full range of degree and executive education programs that empower serious-minded and aspiring leaders from more than 40 countries each year. Harris is the academic home to 20 research centers, institutes, and labs that study and engage with the public on areas such as conflict, democracy and effective government, economic and political development, education, energy and environment, health, municipal finance, public safety, social policy, and urban policy.

Job Summary

The Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago seeks a strategic, creative, and mission-driven Associate Director of Digital Communications and Social Media to lead the day-to-day planning, development, and execution of high-impact content that advances the school’s reputation and engages key audiences. Reporting to the Senior Director of Communications, this role will manage integrated content initiatives across formats and platforms including social media, video, email, web and print.

The ideal candidate is a compelling storyteller with a strong editorial sensibility, sharp project management and multimedia skills, and a collaborative approach to working with internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the refinement and implementation of an OPA content planning, creation, and dissemination process.
• Work closely with OPA leadership to develop a social media strategy that includes an assessment of existing and potential channel options and creates an approach/plan for the school’s official channels. 
• Oversee a monthly content calendar by ensuring timely and strategic delivery of written, video, graphic, and other social media assets as well as adhering to a consistent brand voice across all communications.
• Work closely with OPA leadership to develop and execute an approach for regularly amplifying content and boosting social posts, in service of broadening Harris’ visibility with existing and new audiences.
• Produce and edit content for diverse formats, including video scripts, social media copy, email, and e-newsletters.
• Work with faculty, research centers, staff, students, alumni, and partners to identify and develop content opportunities that highlight research, policy impact, events, and community stories.
• Oversee the Content Planning Committee meetings to establish cross-functional content workflows and visibility.
• Use data and analytics to regularly evaluate content performance and refine strategy for optimized efficacy. Research and analyze successful higher education and public policy campaigns to identify trends and opportunities and then provide recommendations for new strategies that build reputation and extend brand visibility.
• Evaluate emerging social media platforms (e.g. – Reddit Bluesky, TikTok, WhatsApp and develop recommendations for how Harris should approach each to maximize engagement and impact.
• Work with OPA leadership to evaluate and refine Harris’s newsletter strategy and suite of e-newsletters.
• Manage the monthly creation of existing newsletters deemed worth continuing (with the exception of Pointed).
• Partner with marketing and internal stakeholders including Research Center staff to maximize the promotion of key Harris newsletters, including Pointed, via digital and other means.
• Coordinate marketing efforts for podcasts and other multimedia projects, including managing workflows, selecting promotional assets, and scheduling social media posts.
• Oversee short-form video planning and production, as necessary
• Edit and proofread content with adherence to AP Style guidelines.
• Manage videographers, photographers, and other content vendors, including Sprout, as needed. Activities inclusive of contract/scope oversight and other administrative responsibilities.
• Collaborate with University Communications (Scott W. and others) to help amplify Harris’ voice and reach
• Manage a team of part-time graduate assistants and/or a full-time Digital Content Coordinator.
• Create and manage content templates and other social media assets using design tools like Canva and HubSpot, as needed.
• 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.
• Continues to build knowledge of the University, processes and customers.
• 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

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public policy, or related field.
• Master’s degree.

Experience:

• 5–7 years of professional experience in content strategy, social media management, journalism, or communications, preferably in higher education, public policy, or a mission-driven organization.
• Proven experience managing editorial calendars, multi-platform campaigns, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Preferred Competencies

• Solid writing and editing skills, with strong attention to detail and grammar.
• Working knowledge of major social media platforms and management techniques.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams and a set of internal stakeholders with differing styles, goals, and incentives.
• Working knowledge of digital newsletter and short-form video production best practices.
• Creative problem-solving abilities and a willingness to bring innovative ideas to the table and execute those ideas and execute those ideas.
• Familiarity with content management systems, social media scheduling tools, and analytics platforms.
• Proficiency in design tools such as Canva or Adobe Creative Suite and other multimedia tools.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to translate complex ideas into accessible and engaging content.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with attention to detail and deadlines.
• Interest in public policy, higher education, and digital storytelling.
• Knowledge of public policy issues and academic environments is a strong plus.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)
• List of Three References (preferred)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Communications

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

​Flsa Status

Exempt

​Pay Range

$64,000.00 - $70,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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