Associate Director, Marketing and Communications - Trienens Institute

Location:

Evanston, Illinois

Department: Trienens Institute
Salary/Grade: EXS/9

Job Summary: The Associate Director (AD) at the Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy (Trienens) plays a key role in developing, shaping and executing the Institute's integrated marketing and communications (Mar Comm) strategy. This position is responsible for elevating the visibility of Trienens and its affiliated centers by highlighting Northwestern's leadership in sustainability and energy through compelling, original content and strategic outreach.

The AD oversees the Trienens Mar Comm team, guiding the creation and distribution of multimedia content that aligns with the Institute's strategic priorities. This includes managing staff, freelance writers, and contractors, as well as developing media partnerships to amplify the Institute's impact across internal and external channels. In addition to overseeing content development for high-level strategic communications with Trienens advisory boards, including the Executive Council, Industrial Affiliates Program members, the AD supports the development of materials that reflect the Institute's mission, research excellence, and stakeholder engagement.

The AD also supports targeted engagement efforts with key stakeholder cohorts—such as researchers, industry leaders, nonprofit organizations, policymakers, alumni, and donors—to foster new partnerships and expand the Institute's influence and collaborative reach. This role requires close collaboration with the Trienens leadership team, including the Executive Director, Senior Director of Operations and Outreach, and affiliated faculty, and offers a unique opportunity to shape the Institute's public presence and strategic communications at a critical time for global sustainability and energy innovation.

Some travel and evening and/or weekend hours may be necessary

* For fullest consideration, please submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample (on same PDF upload as cover letter)

• Oversee the strategic vision and integrated brand positioning for the Trienens Institute and ISEN Centers, ensuring alignment with financial, reputational, and programmatic goals.
• Direct the implementation of comprehensive marketing and communications strategies across digital, print, and social platforms in collaboration with the Senior Communications Manager and Mar Comm team.
• Create and produce original multimedia content (e.g., copy, video) that highlights sustainability and energy leadership, partnering with University Marketing & Communications to amplify reach.
• Design strategic campaigns and collateral to support Institute initiatives, events, and fundraising efforts, including materials for Alumni Relations and Foundation Relations.
• Manage Institute publications and freelance contributors to ensure high-quality, consistent output.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with academic units, corporations, nonprofits, and alumni to enhance visibility and engagement.
• Conceptualize and promote thought leadership events that showcase cutting‑edge research and policy in sustainability and energy.
• Guide the development of strategic collateral to position Institute programs and infrastructure for philanthropic and sponsored support.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive Institute strategy designed to continually grow and improve programs and build internal/external engagement with appropriate consultation from Institute leadership. Re‑evaluate and refine strategic plan regularly to ensure Institute stays forward‑looking, innovative, and opportunistic with respect to new programs, projects and collaborations.
• Represent the Institute with central offices such as Alumni Relations and Development, and Corporate Engagement, to pitch Institute's existing and/or new projects and programs for Institute‑sourced or University‑sourced philanthropic or sponsored support, including but not limited to prospective donors, new Executive Council members, Center funding, corporate sponsorship, etc.
• Iteratively benchmark Institute and its new and existing programs against academic…