Senior Director, Global Communications

Overview

Senior Director of Global Communications role at University of Chicago. The Senior Director of Global Communications is a key member of the Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) executive leadership team, reporting to the Executive Director. This role manages a team of managers and professional staff responsible for planning, preparing and disseminating information designed to keep the public informed of the University's perspectives, programs, and accomplishments.

Develops and plans marketing, press relations, creative editorial and design services, and internal communications. In coordination with BFI leadership and supported by a highly talented staff, the Senior Director is responsible for both internal and external communications.

• Strategy/Vision - works as part of the BFI leadership team on overall strategy, goals, and vision for the institute.
• Research Translation/Producing Outreach Materials - with the support of BFI’s Senior Economic Writer, works with UChicago scholars to create policy-relevant and accessible summary documents to accompany research, such as policy briefs, op-eds, blogs, testimony, speeches, video clips and podcasts, etc. This involves developing relationships and working closely with University of Chicago economists to understand their research and to identify the most effective and appropriate ways to communicate their research.
• Research Dissemination/Media Outreach - leads strategic outreach to media regarding BFI research and, as appropriate, other UChicago economics research. This includes the development and cultivation of media relationships, particularly among national economic reporters, as well as maintaining and growing BFI’s working paper series. Also serves as primary liaison to communications staff throughout UChicago to coordinate BFI’s work with other relevant offices.
• External Stakeholder and Policy Outreach - in coordination with BFI leadership and external advisers, creates and builds opportunities for BFI to routinely engage with US and global economic policymakers and policy-relevant institutions.
• Communications - with the support of communications staff, manages/leverages all BFI communications and assets for internal and external audiences, including websites, social media, newsletters, programming announcements (events, awards, etc.) and more. Includes oversight of the BFI editorial calendar and quality control over all BFI content.
• Events - leads execution of BFI events (internal and external) and, with the events team, oversees event marketing such as event pages, announcements, and calls for papers.
• Management - directly leads three teams:
  Communications, Events, and Digital Media. Provides strategic oversight for professionals across web/social media, communications, design, and event planning. Manages budgets and coordinates with Finance on invoicing, expense tracking, and forecasting.
• Policy/Media Strategy - implements innovative strategies in managing media interface, including publications, planning and organizing media coverage for major events, and responding to requests on sensitive issues. Frames and distributes important announcements and updates.
• Reporting and Governance - oversees the writing, preparation, and delivery of information from or about the unit. Maintains the unit's goals and communications strategy in publications, announcements, and speeches.
• Budget and Resources - develops and manages the communications budget.
• Performs other related work as needed.

• Education:
  
  college or university degree in related field.
• Work Experience:
  
  7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations, marketing, economics, English or related field; graduate degree preferred.
• 10-15 years of experience in an economic research/policy communications environment in a leadership role.
• Significant management experience and demonstrated experience working directly with academic researchers.
• Experience with common web/communications tools and software platforms; knowledge of grammar, punctuation, spelling and style; MS Office.
• Strong…