Communications Specialist

Responsibilities

• Develop clear, engaging content for websites, e-newsletters, social media, presentations, digital signage, marketing materials, and other communications.
• Create communications supporting new, changing, migrating, or retiring technology services, systems, and processes.
• Translate technical information into accessible, audience-friendly content for students, faculty, and staff.
• Partner with technology leaders, service owners, communications colleagues, and campus stakeholders to plan and execute communications and marketing initiatives.
• Lead content planning, publishing, and performance evaluation for Northwestern IT’s social media channels.
• Identify and develop stories that highlight Northwestern IT services, people, partnerships, and innovation.
• Support the planning and promotion of events, trainings, workshops, meetings, and campus engagement activities.
• Maintain accurate, current, and accessible web content in alignment with web accessibility and user-experience practices.
• Use tools such as Google Analytics and Siteimprove, along with audience feedback, to evaluate content and improve communications.
• Review and edit communications developed by colleagues to ensure they are accurate, clear, concise, compelling, accessible, and consistent.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing, English, or a related field
• Three to five years of experience in communications, content development, marketing, or a related area
• Demonstrated experience creating content for websites, social media, e-newsletters, or other digital channels
• Excellent writing, editing, verbal communication, and storytelling skills
• Ability to translate complex or technical concepts into clear, customer-friendly content
• Strong project management, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Experience collaborating with stakeholders and managing multiple projects and deadlines
• Basic understanding of Google Analytics, web accessibility principles, and web content management
• Adaptability, initiative, attention to detail, and an interest in learning new technologies

Preferred

• Master’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing, English, or a related field
• Communications or marketing experience in higher education or a technology-focused environment
• Advanced experience with Google Analytics, SEO, web accessibility, web design, or user-experience testing
• Experience developing and evaluating social media strategies
• Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud and video- or audio-editing tools
• Experience creating graphic, video, audio, animated, or other visual content
• Familiarity with Cascade or another web content management system
• Working knowledge of HTML
• Experience working in a decentralized organization and building relationships across multiple teams or units

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 parentalleave;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.
• Work-Life And Wellness
• Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
• We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.
• Professional Growth & Development
• Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more .
• Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non-discrimination statement . Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process .