Strategic Communications Specialist (Hybrid)

The Highlights:

The Strategic Communications Specialist is a member of the strategic communications team who supports reputation management, crisis response and mitigation, and media relations strategies for colleges and schools. The specialist also contributes to executive communications for the Office of the President. The specialist will help conduct research and seek opportunities to promote DePaul’s reputation to a wide range of internal and external audiences. The specialist will leverage social listening tools to track digital reputation and risks. This position requires a strategic thinker with outstanding editorial and writing skills.

What You'll Do:

1. Issues Management - Produce talking points, statements, articles and other written materials to mitigate and proactively address issues. Conduct ongoing research and analysis of communication issues affecting colleges, centers, institutes and initiatives in order to enhance the reputation of these entities, facilitates the development of responsive public relations and communication strategies. Monitor and analyze higher education initiatives, current events, public policy concerns and other relevant issues having a potential impact on DePaul. Track and assess digital reputation and risk using social listening tools.

2. Media Relations - Collaborate with assigned colleges and other internal partners to implement communication strategies, developing such written materials as press releases, internal news articles, social media and video content. Lead media relations for at least two assigned colleges or schools, in partnership with deans and staff of those colleges or schools. Support communications for large-scale university initiatives and events, including convocation and commencement. Provide editorial guidance to support initiatives and ensure consistent messaging across the university.

3. Executive Communications - Lead the management of the university president's LinkedIn account, including content development and editorial planning. Develop thought leadership materials, including op-eds, social media posts, podcasts and articles.

4. Crisis Response and Emergency Communications - In the event of a crisis, serve as a member of the emergency communications response team, working in close collaboration with University Communications leadership and university partners. Participate in and help develop crisis communications training exercises for university leadership, communications staff and key partners. Serve as a member of the on-call emergency communications team, executing DPU Alerts in a crisis situation. Maintain expert knowledge and help train colleagues on how to send DPU Alerts.

5. Measurement and Reporting - Using key performance indicators, contribute to the evaluation of strategic communications initiatives. Help collect and analyze metrics to create reports on a regular basis that illustrate progress and impact of strategic communications plans and crisis response.

What You'll Need:

• Bachelor’s or in public relations, marketing, communication, journalism, English or related discipline
• Minimum 5 to 7 years of full-time communications experience successfully utilizing a variety of communication tools.
• Exhibits a high degree of comfort and flexibility managing multiple competing priorities while maintaining attention to complex details in a fast-paced and unpredictable environment.
• Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative, as well as emerging, ways to inform via written, oral, and visual media.
• Strong oral and written communications skills; knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, punctuation, AP style and grammar.
• Ability to perform effectively under pressure and in a fast-paced, results-oriented communication environment.
• Ability to think analytically, strategically and creatively.
• Ability to work independently and make decisions.
• Ability to treat sensitive and confidential matters with discretion.
• Proven ability to develop and implement effective communications strategies for PR campaigns.
• Demonstrated research and written skills (collecting data, research, and preparing reports and presentations) and strong analytical skills with a high-level of attention to detail.
• Ability to work full-time on campus and travel between the Loop and Lincoln Park Campuses as necessary.

The anticipated hiring range for this position is: $64,662 to $75,000/year.

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Perks:

• Working for a stable and well-known University.
• Top choice medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Retirement plan matching contribution of 8%.
• Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
• Generous paid time off, sick time, holidays, floating holidays, and more!
• Full-Time Benefits

For consideration, please include a resume and cover letter.

Vincentian Mission:
Guided by an ethic of Vincentian personalism and professionalism, DePaul compassionately upholds the dignity of all members of its diverse, multi-faith, and inclusive community. We seek to hire collaborative, open-minded, and dedicated professionals who are committed to advancing our university mission to making education accessible to all, with special attention to including underserved and underrepresented communities. Successful candidates thrive in an environment where ideas and perspectives representing a wide variety of cultures, backgrounds and experiences are welcome and supported.

Required Background Check:

Employment at DePaul University is contingent on passing a background check. Only final candidates who are extended an offer of employment will undergo a background check.

DePaul University is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information or any other legally protected status, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local EEO laws.