Laboratory School:Communications, Sr. Content & Brand Manager

Department
 

Lab School Communications & Marketing

About the Department
 

At the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, students in Nursery through Grade 12 experience a world-class educational journey. Founded in 1896 by John Dewey as a place for educators to develop and explore novel approaches to pedagogy and curriculum, Lab continues to provide excitement and imagination in learning to this day. Academic rigor, experiential learning, and intellectual discourse are hallmarks of a Lab education. Lab educators are recognized for excellence in teaching and pride themselves on innovation in the classroom. Students in every grade have access to unparalleled resources, and all members of the Lab community benefit by partnerships and connections with the University of Chicago. Families who choose Lab care deeply about curiosity, inquiry, and creativity. No less than scholarship, Lab’s mission prioritizes honoring diversity and exhibiting kindness. We are committed to building and supporting a teaching and learning community where young people see aspects of their backgrounds and identities reflected around them, where they feel a deep sense of belonging, and where they discover and use their voices to full effect. Today, 53-59 percent of Lab’s student body are students of color. Families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes. Approximately 60 percent of Lab families are also affiliated with the University of Chicago. Half of our families live in Hyde Park, and the rest come from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northwestern Indiana. Inclusion is a fundamental value at Lab, such that we celebrate every facet of community members’ identities, and even where we disagree, we emphasize respect, civility, and maintaining a spirit of community. Lab seeks the finest employees to join our vibrant learning community. We employ people with a wide range of skills and training in many different disciplines, who have in common a love of learning and the wish to inspire that same love of learning in young people. We seek candidates for employment who thrive in an educational environment. We provide a great professional home for those committed to collaboration, ongoing personal and professional growth, and cultivating positive relationships. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of color, LGBTQ+ identified candidates, candidates from historically marginalized or underrepresented backgrounds, and candidates with a demonstrated commitment to a deepening diversity, equity, and inclusion practice. In turn, we strive to ensure that Lab is a joyful, welcoming, and inspiring place to work. Through our connection to the University, faculty, staff, and administrators enjoy benefits and opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment.

Job Summary
 

Under direct supervision of the Director, Communications the Communications, Sr. Content Manager assists in the development and execution of implementation strategies to achieve marketing and communications goals for assigned programs, products, services, or businesses. The Sr. Content Manager performs one or more of the following marketing functions: writing/editing; marketing communications; digital content creation such as blogs, emails, and website copy; market research; development or review and update of the marketing infrastructure which may include one or more database systems, intranet, and external web site; and management of external agency relationships. Develops, plans, and coordinates the development and production of marketing and publicity materials and campaigns, ensuring deadlines and budgets are met; conceptualizes, writes, and edits high profile or high visibility marketing materials, which may include press releases, blogs, or other Web material. Monitors, analyzes, and reports on sales and circulation activity. Conducts market research, analyzes results and develops marketing strategies based on findings. May participate in developing new products and services, and determining new markets. May train and oversee the work of lower level marketing communications staff. May attend trade shows as needed.

Responsibilities

• Manages the maintenance and improvement of the Schools’ website content dissemination through our content management system, FinalSite, with particular attention to the website and email, including the designing, formatting, and distributing mass email messages and invitations.
• Leads the development of content creation, both written and graphic, for Lab’s digital and print publication platforms and projects, including writing and updating brief news stories and information on homepage.
• Oversees Lab’s brand continuity and proper logo usage to ensure adherence to brand guidelines as stipulated by the Lab Schools and the University of Chicago. This includes outdoor banners; online banners; flyers; digital/print invitations and publications; athletic uniforms; printed clothing such as tees, hats, jackets, etc.
• Manages, trains, and assists designated division/departmental website and email users, approximate 30 people.
• Manages the Back to Lab and Welcome to Lab communications campaigns which includes convening stakeholders from across Schools’ divisions and departments to manage schedule, process, and content for website and emails to parents, students, and employees.
• Develops ad-buy packages for revenue generating programs including Admissions and Summer Lab.
• Integrates web and social media platforms on strategy, content, and calendar.
• Manages and maintains the Schools’ six (6) online calendars.
• Develops temporary special event sites and pages that may include various supporting digital components including embedded e-commerce tools, surveys, Google forms, etc.
• Develops content in partnership with departments, especially Alumni Relations and Development and Admissions, and implements improved design, layout, and functionality for their web presence.
• Shoots and edits videos and photos for online use and social media use as needed.
• Establishes best practices and manages photo assets and archives in the Lab’s Google Drive and other platforms as designated.
• Manages vendor relationships for the outsourced production and creative projects, i.e. professional photography / videos, outdoor banners, misc print projects.
• Documents events with still photography, podcast recording, and video. Edits and uploads documentation.
• Develops, plans, and disseminates information designed to keep the public informed of the organization’s programs, accomplishments, or point of view.
• Makes contributions to the media interface, including writing press releases, planning and organizing media coverage for major events, and crafting responses to sensitive or controversial issues.
• Solves moderate to complex problems related to the writing, preparation, and/or delivery of information from or about the unit.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years experience in communications with specific responsibility for web assets and web content.
• Experience in business writing, editing, and proofreading.
• Experience working with digital marketing and brand management.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficient in graphic design.
• Competent with video and still photography.
• Fluency with audio and video editing software.
• Content Management Systems.
• Agile with writing/editing HTML5.
• Adobe Photoshop.
• Adobe InDesign.
• G Suite tools, specifically competence using Google Docs in a collaborative environment.
• Google Analytics.
• Social media management (FB, Twitter, Youtube, Flickr, LinkedIn).
• Mac OS and core tools (Photos specifically).
• Schoology or similar LMS.
• Familiarity with Finalsite’s composer CMS is a plus.
• Photo archiving software: Adobe Lightroom etc experience.

Preferred Competencies

• Independent, self-starter, problem-solver, idea-generator with a can-do, service-oriented approach.
• Collaborative and able to build strong relationships working across teams and communicating with a wide range of people.
• High degree of professionalism.
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong planning and organizational skills, results-oriented, capable of setting and meeting deadlines.
• Outstanding attention to detail, passion for excellence and accuracy.
• Experienced at organizing time and managing diverse activities.
• Acts as an innovative, proactive thinker and advisor.
• Learns with curiosity and thinks flexibly.
• Possesses excellent listening, communication, management, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Exhibits sound judgment and decision-making abilities.
• Shows a strong sense of integrity, reliability, and accountability.
• Analyzes data with acumen.
• Familiarity with general business practices and knowledge of current trends in the field.
• Handle confidential information with utmost discretion.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skill.

Application​ Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Communications

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

40

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Requires Compliance with University Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward .
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.