Responsibilities

• Strategy and Planning (25%): Develop a strategic communications plan for the NIA DECC with leadership teams; ensure communications products meet program goals; collect, review, and analyze data regarding accessibility, effective science delivery, and outreach; evaluate and revise the communications program as needed.
• Dissemination (50%): Develop, design, and manage products to summarize research findings and publicize NIA DECC events and services; coordinate with NIA DECC Co-Directors, stakeholders, and D&E Centers.
• Newsletters: Develop a digital newsletter to highlight research findings and publicize events and services; establish a process to solicit and publish content from D&E Centers; manage email distribution and use metrics to monitor readership.
• Blog: Develop and manage an NIA DECC Blog to highlight research, datasets, and opportunities; research, write, edit, and publish blog posts.
• Website: Manage the NIA DECC website with ISRDI IT; solicit and publish content from D&E Centers; oversee day-to-day site maintenance and content management.
• Social Media: Establish and manage NIA DECC social media presence; determine best platforms.
• Conferences: Prepare print materials and displays for conference exhibits; create swag; develop and execute social media strategy for events; support poster design and development.
• Other: Coordinate media relations and serve as point of contact for media inquiries; develop and launch additional communications initiatives.
• Support other NIA DECC activities (15%): Assist with events and services for D&E Centers; serve as communications consultant including quarterly meetings with Centers’ Communications Core Leads; contribute to workshops on writing policy briefs; write/edit/publish biannual research briefs; support virtual and in-person events.
• Support ISRDI Communications needs (10%): Collaborate with ISRDI Communications Coordinator and leadership to support overall ISRDI communications strategy.

Requirements

• B.A./B.S. plus four or more years of experience in a communications role, or a combination of related education and work experience equivalent to eight years
• Experience leading or relevant to leading a communications program, including developing, executing, and evaluating the effectiveness of plans, strategies, and tactics
• Experience building and executing a social media strategy
• Strong writing, editing, and design skills, lending themselves to creating a variety of content
• The competencies necessary to work effectively with distributed teams and with stakeholders who have diverse backgrounds, priorities, and perspectives
• Skill using various communications apps and tools, such as Google Suite, Project Management systems such as Basecamp, Adobe Creative Suite, Mailchimp and/or Salesforce Marketing Cloud, website content management systems, and social media management platforms
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and equity, and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment
• Proven ability to express scientific concepts, research findings, or other complex subjects in engaging, accessible language
• An ability to move projects forward independently (but not in isolation) – setting priorities, communicating progress, and balancing different streams of work

Preferred

• A professional background in a social science or health field related to the demographics and economics of aging (e.g., sociology, public health, gerontology, public affairs)
• A professional background in science communication and/or outreach
• Demonstrated ability to engage stakeholders and to grow long-term relationships with key partners and audiences
• Even if not meeting every qualification, apply if you meet most required qualifications.

Benefits

• The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes: competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off; low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans; Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts; University HSA contributions; disability and employer-paid life insurance; employee wellbeing program; excellent retirement plans with employer contribution; Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity; employee assistance program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost; employee transit pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area.