Department
BSD ADM - Administration
About the Department
The BSD is the largest academic unit within the University. The BSD is comprised of faculty from ten basic science departments, 13 clinical departments, and several Centers and Institutes. The approximately 1,300 faculty and 3,000 staff members working in the BSD collaborate across the organization to achieve our Mission, Vision, and Values (MVV):
MISSION: As part of the University of Chicago, we pursue globally impactful solutions to seemingly unsolvable challenges. Through our rigorous research, innovative education, and comprehensive care and healing, we collaborate on life-changing advancements that create meaningful results for our community and the world, including a greater, more equitable future for all.
VISION: Together, we elevate the human experience with knowledge and health care.
VALUES:
Commit to Excellence: We contribute our exceptional talents to all we do and empower the same spirit of excellence in others.
Embrace Curiosity: We stay open to new ideas, champion diverse perspectives, and drive a culture of thoughtful risk-taking to deliver transformative innovation.
Embody Equity: We identify systemic issues and then foster change to drive a more equitable environment inclusive of diverse people, ideas, and fields of science.
Grow Together: We meaningfully collaborate with one another to create something bigger than we could ever achieve alone.
Make a Difference: We lead with heart and compassion in all our interactions. We create positive change in our areas of influence, whether expanding scientific inquiry, developing the next generation of leaders, or healing our community.
Take Ownership: We accomplish what we say we will and hold ourselves and one another accountable for our actions.
The MVV serves as our True North, charting our strategic plan for the next ten years and beyond. It is an exciting time to be a part of the University of Chicago and the BSD. Our team is helping shape the future for our learners, staff, faculty, patients, and community.
Job Summary
Working in close collaboration with BSD administration and faculty leadership, this seasoned communications professional will develop and implement a high-impact communications strategy in support of the BSD’s research and educational missions.
The Director leads a team of writers and content specialists to produce a variety of news stories, press releases, internal announcements, newsletters, and web content to promote scientific research and academic achievements across the BSD, Pritzker School of Medicine, and the University of Chicago Health System. The Director also works closely with communications colleagues at UChicago Medicine, the UChicago news office, other University academic divisions, and the University's national laboratory affiliates to coordinate and amplify news coverage.
The Director of Communications for the BSD serves as the communications lead for the Division, working closely with the broader UChicago Medicine Marketing and Communications department to publicize research breakthroughs, major grants, awards, and academic programs, and develops and implements strategy to engage and communicate with staff employees. The Director also oversees the overall website presence for the Division, working with BSD Information Systems, department staff, and third-party vendors to update and maintain websites for the BSD, Pritzker, academic departments, and graduate programs.
The successful candidate must be able to perform a wide range of communications and technical duties, including writing and editing content about scientific research; drafting mass communications to faculty, students, and staff; developing communications strategies and managing projects for communications campaigns; maintaining email lists and advising users on distributing communications; and performing website updates and coordinating with BSDIS, website vendors, and technical support.
The Director of Communications will maintain relationships with faculty leadership and individual investigators to remain abreast of research initiatives and educational programs in the Division, and work closely with other members of the Dean’s office administrative team to coordinate communications activities across all functions.
Responsibilities
Research Communications
Work closely with the Dean, Executive Vice Dean, and Deans for Research to develop a comprehensive strategy for publicizing research at the BSD and UCM.
Identify, assess, and assign stories about research publications, grants, and awards.
Interview faculty, postdocs, and students and write press releases and feature stories about new publications and research programs.
Lead a team of research writers from the BSD, UCM, and individual academic units.
Mentor science communications interns from the myCHOICE program.
Source multimedia content such as photography or video to accompany research stories.
Post all news content on the BSD website.
Maintain BSD social media accounts.
Assist media relations colleagues in developing proactive media pitches and coordinating incoming requests from news media.
Interface with communications colleagues from the central university news office, other divisions, and national labs.
Website Management
Oversee website presence for the BSD, Pritzker, and academic departments.
Manage projects to build new websites on shared platform with third-party web vendor.
Evaluate requests for new websites and advise faculty and staff on content strategy.
Manage team of web content specialists who:
Develop and maintain content for divisional websites.
Field service request tickets for website updates.
Troubleshoot issues with faculty profiles.
Provide training for departmental website users.
Internal and Executive Communications
Work closely with the Dean, Executive Vice Dean, Vice Dean for Administration, and other Dean’s Office leaders to execute a comprehensive plan for communicating internal announcements for both academics and staff.
Collaborate with broader UCM Marketing and Communications department to coordinate internal announcements that reflect our shared MVV.
Write, edit, and distribute internal announcements from the Dean’s Office, HR, Finance, BSDIS, and other functional areas.
Compile and distribute biweekly academic research newsletter to the BSD.
Write remarks, talking points, letters of recommendation, and prepare presentations for faculty leaders.
Maintain division events calendar.
Maintain central BSD email lists and advise other users on distributing communications.
Acts as a strategist or project lead to plan, develop and disseminate information designed to keep the public informed of the organization’s programs, accomplishments, or point of view.
Solves complex and unique problems related to the writing, preparation, and/or delivery of the 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.
Work Experience:
Certifications:
---
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Graduate degree in communications, journalism, or creative writing, strongly preferred.
Experience:
Previous experience in an academic, research, health care, or technology organization, strongly preferred.
Proven track record of working with multiple stakeholders to develop and execute successful communications plans, strongly preferred.
Demonstrated experience in highly matrixed organizations, strongly preferred.
Preferred Competencies
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent problem-solving skills.
Effective interpersonal skills, including outstanding judgment, discretion, and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
Keen attention to detail.
Working knowledge of a broad range of scientific topics and trends.
Excellent computer skills, including proficiency with Office 365, Smartsheet, Adobe Creative Suite, and newsletter and email list management tools.
Familiarity with website content management systems, including Drupal, WordPress, and Sitecore.
Conversant in website design, technical infrastructure, networking, and security.
Working Conditions
Office Environment.
Application Documents
Resume (required)
Cover Letter (preferred)
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Role Impact
Scheduled Weekly Hours
Drug Test Required
Health Screen Required
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
Pay Rate Type
FLSA Status
Pay Range
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or 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.