The Mansueto Institute is excited to announce an opening for the position of Communications Research Assistant. This role presents an excellent opportunity for individuals seeking professional experience in communications within the dynamic realm of urban scholarship.

As a Communications Research Assistant, you will play a crucial role in supporting the day-to-day operations of our communications team. This position offers exposure to a diverse range of urban topics and provides hands-on experience in various aspects of communication strategies and initiatives.

The following are key responsibilities for the Communications Research Assistant, Mansueto Institute:

The Communications Research Assistant will be responsible for a range of supporting activities for the staff of the Mansueto Institute to advance the Institute’s communication of its research, training and other opportunities, events, and partnerships, to audiences across the University and externally.  These include website updates and reorganization, assistance with maintaining the Institute’s Youtube channel, posting on social media, laying out e-mail newsletters and other e-mails, updating mailing lists, posting events, and other ad hoc duties. In this role, candidates will gain experience advancing an integrated, digital communications strategy; writing, editing, and contributing new content; and building skills in widely-used content management systems, such as WordPress, Mailchimp, and Airtable. The role also provides the opportunity of exposure to new, cross-disciplinary ideas and programs related to cities, housing, and urban planning in a supportive, community-oriented environment.

Specifically, the Communications Research Assistant will support Institute staff in a range of projects:

• Website
  • Updating the events webpage
    • Adding new events to the webpage
    • Moving past events to past events tab webpage and linking to Youtube video
  • Updating news page
  • Updating opportunities pages
  • Updating initiatives pages
  • Adding students’ profiles
  • Updating applications webpages

• Youtube Channel
  • Downloading event video from Zoom
  • Uploading video to Youtube channel with text

• Social Media
  • Schedule social media posts

• Newsletter/Emails
  • Newsletter layout in Mailchimp
  • Creating emails about events and opportunities for distribution

• Mailing Lists
  • Update mailing lists (Mailchimp) with attendees from events
  • Update mailing lists with new students and faculty (postdocs, FAC) (Mailchimp, listservs)

• Marketing collateral
  • Assist in the identification of assets for printed collateral, such as Institute brochures and reports
  • Taking photos at events and other photo opps

• Long-term
  • Assisting in a website reorganization and refresh
  • Building out Institute’s internal and external distribution lists
  • Assisting with the development of the Institute’s content, including helping develop a content calendar, and writing and editing media advisories
  • Assist in setting up analytics tools to monitor web and email performance
  • Research and recommend content management approach and platforms for social media
    

Qualifications

• Some experience in communications and marketing.
• Strong verbal and writing skills, high attention to detail and follow-up, and excellent organizational skills required.Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and tact required.
• Demonstrated skill and knowledge of, or ability to learn quickly especially the technology tools available to university staff including Macintosh computer environment, WordPress/UChicago Voices, Youtube, Twitter/Facebook, Mailchimp, and Zoom. Graphic design/layout experience a plus.
• Ability to work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting required.
• An exceptional work ethic and track record of personal initiative required.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, to speak and to write well required.
• Willingness and ability to work some evenings and weekends required.
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work permanently in the United States. A current resident of the Chicago area or willing to relocate to the Chicago area required.

Working Conditions:
Irregular work schedule
On-call responsibilities
Office environment

Approximate Hours Per Week

Up to 15. This position has the potential to continue into each academic quarter or year.

Compensation

26 USD per hour

Estimated Start Date

6/10/2024

To apply, please submit a Cover Letter and Resume below.

Please submit any questions to: ehlee@uchicago.edu.

All University departments and institutes are charged with building a faculty from a diversity of backgrounds and with diverse viewpoints; with cultivating an inclusive community that values freedom of expression; and with welcoming and supporting all their members.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity.

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.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.