Senior Communications Associate

The Senior Communications Associate at the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago will execute the Institute's communications and digital strategy, manage websites and social media, conduct stakeholder mapping, and create content. The role requires a Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years of communications experience, particularly in digital engagement. Proficiency in tools like MailChimp and WordPress is preferred, along with strong organizational skills.
Job Summary

The Senior Communications Associate will play a central role in executing the Institute’s communications and digital strategy. This work will include advancing the rapidly expanding digital portfolio of the Institute and its associated programs and expanding its stakeholder reach.

Responsibilities
• Maintains digital communications efforts for the Institute, in coordination with the Communications and Digital Marketing Manager. These activities include managing multiple Institute-run websites; composing and executing social media campaigns and maintaining daily social media activities across the Institute; conducting strategic social media mapping for direct messaging and advertising campaigns; and creating email marketing campaigns to promote Institute research and programming.
• Conducts strategic stakeholder and media mapping in preparation for new programming or research with the goal of properly targeting and engaging the most appropriate audiences. This includes a specific focus on developing regional stakeholder and media lists in key countries relevant to the Institute’s strategic goals and those of its associated programs. Maintains robust stakeholder and media lists.
• Manages large mailings of reports and other collaterals, which involves coordinating efforts across the team and with outside vendors to streamline contacts, print materials, and execute the mailing.
• Creates a content calendar and writes news stories and other content under tight deadlines. This includes profiles of researchers and other initiatives.
• Monitors, tracks and reports on media coverage of the Institute’s scholars and issues of topical interest. Manages daily news digests.
• Records and monitors monthly analytics for the Institute’s websites, social media and email marketing accounts. Reports to the communications team with relevant data to inform strategies.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing or a related field.

Experience:
• Three to five years of experience working in a communications role.
• Managing websites, email marketing and social media accounts in a professional capacity, as well as maintaining stakeholder/media lists.
• Agency experience highly valued.
• Experience or interest in media relations.
• Background in energy/environmental issues strongly desired and encouraged to apply.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:
• Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and web-based communication methods and tools such as MailChimp, WordPress, and Google Analytics or similar platforms.

Preferred Competencies
• Knowledge of current trends and best practices in digital engagement and their applications to communication strategies, including through web, email and social media.
• Some knowledge in working with reporters and within the media landscape.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, and work both independently with initiative and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Manage and prioritize diverse job tasks, perform effectively in a fast-paced environment, and meet deadlines in a timely manner while maintaining professionalism and product quality.
• Excellent organizational skills, flexibility and attention to detail.