Public Communications Manager

Responsibilities

• In collaboration with senior leadership, develop near- and long-term communications and public relations strategies for the Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability.
• Stemming from the communications and public relations strategy, plan, implement, and manage specific communications and public relations events, activities, social media platforms, projects and/or programs to enhance the public's awareness of the Wrigley Institute.
• Lead media outreach efforts for the institute. (Note: Crisis communications are led by the central university’s communications office, although the Wrigley Public Communications Manager would be consulted on such matters as they relate to the institute.)
• Support program and event planning, and related marketing communications.
• Plan, write, edit, produce, or otherwise present or distribute Wrigley communications and public relations materials.
• Supervise employees on the communications team, as well as student workers, as assigned. Schedule, assign and prioritize workloads. Set appropriate deadlines. Monitor employee performance on a regular basis. Ensure timely completion of work by the institute’s communications team.
• Manage program, project and/or event budgets relating to communications and public relations.
• Represent the Wrigley Institute at professional meetings, conferences, seminars and other events. Develop and maintain contacts with university officials, media representatives, community leaders and professional colleagues. Maintain currency with professional organizations and publications.
• Develop and administer the Wrigley Institute’s communications and public relations calendar. Monitor schedules, production, and distribution arrangements and other details to ensure timely, successful completion of public relations materials, events, etc.
• Ensure the appropriate use of university and/or Wrigley Institute logos, emblems and indicia.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in marketing, journalism, or other communications fields.
• Demonstrable experience in communications regarding the environment, sustainability, or closely related topics.
• 3 years of experience in communications and/or public relations, including supervisory experience.
• Exceptional writing, storytelling, and communication skills.
• Strong managerial, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to respond effectively to changing priorities and a fluctuating workload.
• Proficiency with managing social media, websites, and other forms of digital and email communications.

Preferred

• Master’s degree or equivalent professional experience in marketing, journalism, or other communications fields.
• 7+ years of experience in communications and/or public relations, including supervisory experience.
• Experience Adobe Creative Suite, HTML, MailChimp, MyEmma, WordPress, SEO best practices, Google Analytics, and other communications/public relations/multi-media tools and platforms.

Benefits

• generous benefits package, including health insurance, a retirement account, life insurance, tuition benefits, and a wide range of discounts.