Laboratory Schools: Communications Specialist

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

The Marketing and Communications Specialist will report to the Director, Communications & Marketing (and in some cases work under the guidance of the Content Manager).

This role will be responsible for developing and executing a variety of programs and projects to achieve the strategic marketing and communications goals of the school and ensure that the communications and marketing procedures are well integrated into the Schools’ overall goals, mission, and vision.

This individual will manage a portfolio of projects and work that will include generating story ideas, writing, editing, social media management, digital marketing, photography, videography, print and digital collateral production, and other work as assigned in support of the director of schools, the school’s senior leadership team, and the communications and marketing team.

Responsibilities

Create, edit, and publish relevant and compelling written, visual, social media, and web content for, but not limited to, the school’s news page, LabLife, the school’s official digital magazine, and the monthly eNews digital publication.

Serve as a beat reporter’ for the school with specific responsibility for identifying and writing stories within the school by staying connected with departments and divisions that are published on the news page of the school’s website.

Connects with and fosters ongoing relationships with Lab stakeholders teachers, staff, administrators, Parent Association representatives and uses institutional knowledge to identify relevant storylines, events, and news that can be leveraged across Lab’s networks.

Develops and distributes mass emails and major announcements to key stakeholder groups using the school’s email content management system.

Proofreads and edits emails from Senior Leadership team members paying close attention to detail using Lab’s Style Guide and The Chicago Manual of Style.

Develop and execute comprehensive, branded digital marketing campaigns across various channels (social media, websites, email, etc.).

Create and publish engaging online content and website updates, (original articles, images, video, etc.) to the school’s website platform, FinalSite, to drive traffic to enhance user experience for both internal and external audiences.

Develop and produce high-quality content (photographs, news articles, social media posts, videos, digital graphics, etc.

aligned with brand messaging and target audience.

Monitor social media traffic to continually improve Lab’s social media performance. Respond, in a timely fashion, to follower's posts, comments and questions, in line with University moderation policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Support the development and execution of the editorial calendar to ensure newsworthy and relevant elements are enhanced on Lab’s digital properties.

Monitor the online presence (websites and social media) of peer institutions.

Develop reports and dashboards to continuously improve social media presence by capturing digital analytics via Hootsuite Enterprise, Meta Insights, Twitter Analytics, LinkedIn Page Analytics Google Analytics to measure the effectiveness of Lab’s social media engagement and digital marketing.

Assist in the development and execution of integrated marketing campaigns to achieve business objectives and drive stakeholder engagement.

Identify events and activities that need to be photographed or videotaped, and do so.

Partner with Lab stakeholders teachers, parents, staff in capturing footage from Lab events.

Partner with Lab’s IS team to update and maintain Lab’s online faculty and staff directory.

Plan, develop, and disseminate key messages that keep the public informed of the organization's programs, accomplishments, mission, and values.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure brand alignment across departments.

Accomplishes assigned duties through two or more of the following : written communications; visual / graphic media, which may include Web site development and maintenance;

speeches and personal contact. The incumbent is still acquiring higher-level knowledge and skills.

Solves a range of straightforward problems, as work assignments are difficult and broad in nature, usually requiring originality and ingenuity.

Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education :

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

Work Experience :

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications :

Preferred Qualifications

Education : Master’s degree.

Master’s degree.

Experience :

Minimum five years of experience in communications, marketing, or a related field.

Highly experienced writer and editor.

Sufficient experience with graphic design software Adobe Creative Suite.

Sufficient experience with web and email content management system software; FinalSite experience.

Demonstrable social media experience and social analytics tools knowledge.

Previous experience working in an educational setting.

Familiarity with omnichannel marketing.

Ability to integrate print and digital communications.

Experience with and knowledge of online marketing and a good understanding of major marketing channels.

Preferred Competencies

Highly strategic and creative.

Excellent written and verbal skills and outstanding attention to detail.

Experience working in content management systems.

Experience with asset management & development.

Technically savvy, can pick up new tools easily and quickly. Familiarity with HTML.

Mission-focused.

Excellent writing, editing (photo / video / text), presentation, and communication skills knowledge of web design, web development.

Solid understanding of how each social media channel works and how to optimize content so that it is engaging.

Experience in iMovie, Adobe Premiere, Adobe After Effects, or Final Cut Pro.

Ability to operate Canon DSLR and other prosumer cameras.

Experience with creative framing, interviewing techniques, lighting, and other out-of-the-box visual aspects.

Ability to manage and track multiple projects.

Willingness to increase knowledge about video production.

Demonstrated ability to take and give direction.

Positive attitude, detail- and customer-oriented with good multitasking and organizational ability.

A flexible, collaborative, and responsive team player.

Analytical skills.

Problem-solving skills.

Decision-making skills.

Attention to detail.

Organizational skills.

Computational skills.

Agile and responsive thinker.

Verbal and written communication skills.

Superior Interpersonal skills required and an ability to work with ease in the face of stress.

Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Ability to gracefully manage stressful situations.

Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.

Displaying outstanding business discretion and an ability to handle sensitive or proprietary company information in a confidential manner.

Application Documents

Resume (required)

Cover Letter (required)

Professional References (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

Benefits Eligible

Drug Test Required

Health Screen Required

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

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 : . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E.

61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.