Responsibilities

• Write, design, and distribute a periodic e-newsletter for patients and their families.
• Write, design and distribute a similar news update e-newsletter for internal audiences.
• Develop, manage and expand all contact lists with relevant personnel/organizations.
• Manage and grow all Mesulam Institute social media outlets. Write content, design posts, create a monthly calendar and launch campaigns.
• Attend Mesulam Institute related events on an as needed basis including possible evening or weekend events. Provide back up support on event coordination for Institute programming, including annual Alzheimer Day and the Alzheimer’s Disease Seminar Series.
• Design, manage and continually update Mesulam Institute website. Collaborate with Feinberg’s Communication team to meet FSM website standards and optimize website for digital accessibility and SEO. Write content, update faculty pages and events, recommend website enhancements, and utilize best practices for SEO.
• Ensure visibility within the Feinberg School of Medicine by regularly pitching stories for inclusion in Northwestern Medicine magazine, Breakthroughs podcast, and other media.
• Design flyers and Constant Contact email campaigns for all Mesulam Institute communications; including, but not limited to: community engagement events, patient and family programs and services, Mesulam Institute Seminar Series, research results dissemination, and others as assigned.
• Provide major communications and event support for the Mesulam Institute’s Annual Alzheimer Day, including but not limited to: creating and updating conference Abstract Book, designing and disseminating sponsorship packet, managing all external and internal communications and related listservs, and designing any and all event materials including but not limited to signage, flyers, print invitation, logos, and other branded event materials.
• Manage the hire and supervision of the Communications Intern.

Requirements

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree in a major such as communication, journalism, marketing or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 2-4 years of health care communications experience involving significant writing, editing, and communications assignments.
• Demonstrated experience in design in addition to writing and editing content for digital media in an academic setting.
• Outstanding writing, verbal communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to grasp scientific concepts, while focusing on organization of content, grammar, spelling, consistent use of terminology and abbreviations, etc.
• Project management skills and demonstrated ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Rigorous attention to detail; well versed in AP style, with a sharp eye for grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• Proficiency in industry standard software, including Adobe InDesign, the Adobe Creative Suite and the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with content management systems.
• Initiative and ability to make sound decisions, set priorities, plan projects, organize workflow, work independently on assigned projects, and collaborate in a hard-working, small-team environment, demonstrating an exceptional work ethic and following through on initiatives.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in journalism or communications.
• 3-5 years’ work experience involving significant writing, editing, and communications assignments in a science-related or health care field.
• Experience in both external and internal communications.
• Proficiency in HTML, Adobe Creative Suites, email marketing software, and Cascade CMS.
• Demonstrated interest in the fields of bioscience and medicine.
• Knowledge of clinical trials and research management.

Benefits

• At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.