| Job Summary: Northwestern University Office of Undergraduate Learning Abroad (ULA) enriches the undergraduate curriculum by providing rigorous academic and immersion opportunities abroad to over 700 undergraduate students each year. Reporting to the Assistant Director, Advising & Diversity, the Marketing & Communications Manager is responsible for managing on-campus events as well as developing and implementing a communications and marketing strategy in support of the office’s strategic goals. This involves creating online and printed promotional materials, managing social media, overseeing internal and external communications, liaising with on-campus and external constituents, managing recruitment events, and analyzing and evaluating marketing practices. Please Note: This position is required to work evening events throughout the academic year to participate in events on campus. The position also entails occasional travel to off-campus meetings and professional conferences Specific Responsibilities: Event Management - Serve as the office’s lead event coordinator by planning, implementing, setting up, and evaluating all aspects of office-run events, which include the annual Study Abroad Fair, information session and other recruiting events, returnee receptions and workshops, as well as campus outreach in different venues (e.g. information sessions, student panels, etc.)
- Design and disseminate all promotional materials for events
- Coordinate and conduct presentations at Northwestern orientations (Wildcat Welcome, transfer students, parent, etc.)
- Engage with Northwestern’s undergraduate schools, academic departments, and the Northwestern community on questions, comments and requests for information and create opportunities for additional engagement and relationship building
Communications & Marketing - Develop and implement a strategic communication plan for ULA, in close collaboration with the office’s management team.
- Ensure communication strategy meets the specific information needs of on-campus stakeholders (e.g. faculty, staff, and administrators), undergraduate students, and parents.
- Develop, implement, and manage marketing strategies through the use of the office website, online and print advertising, social media, and email.
- Manage the office’s on-campus communications strategy to include targeted email messages to Northwestern students, including the office’s weekly newsletter, and monthly promotional program messages.
- Collaborate with Program Managers on marketing strategies for programs within their portfolios.
- Define and pursue communication and outreach strategies to increase student access to education abroad opportunities, including those that help diversify the participant pool.
- Market to external and internal stakeholders both in the Northwestern community and nationwide to highlight students, Northwestern-run programs, scholarships, and initiatives in various media, including, but not limited to: on-campus publications, online publications, newspapers, blogs, and videos.
- Manage the office’s website.
Social Media - Oversee the development of a comprehensive social media strategy to increase visibility and student engagement.
- Implement and manage social media programming.
- Experiment with new and alternative ways to leverage media presence and marketing activities.
- Conduct research on effective marketing techniques; maintain data on impression counts for each type of media utility.
Materials Creation - Create, edit and proofread print and Web informational materials regarding programs and special projects. Work with other office staff to create a consistent message on office web pages.
- Design and maintain dynamic print and electronic marketing, public relations, and informational materials.
- Follow and maintain University style guides and best practices at both the campus and the unit level in all online and print materials.
- Work closely with Assistant Director to create and implement general online pre-departure orientation modules on topics related to policies, money matters, health and safety for all outbound study abroad students.
Evaluation - Analyze current marketing practices and target market to ensure effective marketing strategies are utilized, using tools such as Google Analytics, surveys, and social media management tools.
Other Actively participate in staff meeting and retreats. Other duties, as assigned. Minimum Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing or related field
- 2 years’ professional experience
- Experience working in an office setting
- Experience studying, living, or working within an intercultural context.
Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.) - Excellent interpersonal communication and writing skills.
- Proven experience utilizing social media marketing tools, developing and designing online and print advertising to promote programs or services.
- Event management experience.
- Ability to plan, lead, and manage a complex workload while balancing multiple priorities.
- Proven experience working collaboratively and effectively with both on-campus and off-campus partners.
- Demonstrated initiative and creativity.
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience) - International living/study experience and/or work with an international focus.
- Minimum two years’ experience in communications, event planning, public relations or marketing preferably in higher education or a non-profit organization setting.
- Experience creating, implementing, and evaluating an overall creative marketing plan.
- Proficiency with relevant computer applications, such as Adobe CS3, InDesign, Photoshop, and MS Office Suite.
- Web content management background, including basic web editing and design skills.
Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities) - Demonstrated ability to collaborate and create joint programming.
- Ability to handle complex projects and work independently to follow them through to completion.
- Familiarity with regional and national education abroad networks and resources.
- Knowledge of current undergraduate study abroad trends (e.g. accessibility, health, safety, and security issues), as they affect students abroad.
As per Northwestern University policy, this position requires a criminal background check. Successful applicants will need to submit to a criminal background check prior to employment. Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States. |
