Director of Communications, Outreach and Engagement, Buffett

Job Summary :

The Director will lead the Buffett Institute’s global communication, outreach, and engagement strategy, branding, marketing, social media and public relations.

Through the Director’s immediate work team at the Buffett Institute, the Director will also oversee coordination of Buffett events and development activities.

The Director will plan, implement, and evaluate Northwestern Buffett’s global communications and marketing efforts, with a strong understanding of public relations and marketing, international audiences and stakeholders, and global media outlets and organizations.

They will help amplify the digital, print, and media voice of the Northwestern Buffett to international news and media organizations.

They will develop and execute a public relations strategy that highlights and raises the international reputation of Northwestern Buffett and its initiatives.

They will understand global audiences and how to reach them, and assist in writing on global topics for diverse audiences.

In conjunction with their outreach and engagement role, they will provide oversight and direction to Northwestern Buffett staff responsible for events coordination and activities supporting donor relations.

The Director of Communications, Outreach and Engagement will report to the Executive Director of the Buffett Institute, and work in conjunction with the Vice President of Global Marketing and Communications (OGMC).

They will collaborate with OGMC marketing and media relations teams to ensure alignment between OGMC and Buffett. They will supervise the Northwestern Buffett marketing and communications and events / development staff.

Please note : The Director may require some evening and weekend hours and work-related travel.

Specific Responsibilities :

Strategy and Operations

• Develop and implement multifaceted communications and public relations strategies to support the goals and mission of the Buffett Institute.
• Define, elevate and communicate the Buffett Institute’s programming priorities to ensure they are understood, embraced and consistently presented in international and national publications and media outlets and across all Northwestern constituencies (faculty, staff, students, alumni).
• In partnership with OGMC, create and implement a calendar of international and globally-oriented communications, including press releases, op-ed articles, announcements, conferences, presentations, et al.
• Oversee the Buffett Institute’s internal communications plan encompassing web, email, social media, print, and other methods that aligns with University needs and implement all phases of that strategy across international partners and stakeholder groups.
• Measure communication, outreach and engagement impact, effectiveness and growth across all platforms and adjust as necessary to ensure desired results.

Earned Media and Public Relations

• Develop and execute a public relations strategy that drives consistent messaging and raises the Buffett Institute’s global presence, initiatives and reputation across national and international media outlets.
• Amplify the voice of Buffett, by working with Media Relations in OGMC, for engagement with international communications and media, showcasing subject matter experts, writing stories, op-eds, and other articles for diverse global audiences.
• Foster international thought leadership opportunities for University faculty with international research agendas, securing high-profile speaking opportunities at prestigious conferences and industry events, collaborate with OGMC to garner earned media from these opportunities.

Digital and Social Media

• Manage the creation of Buffett content across all digital channels to ensure consistency of brand, timeliness and alignment.
• Collaborate with OGMC to develop a strategic vision for global digital and social media efforts across the University.
• Oversee Buffett’s online global presence and ensure alignment and consistent messaging that reflects Northwestern’s role as a higher education thought leader.
• Ensure internal websites provide global staff access to marketing tools and content.
• Utilize emerging technologies and digital trends to evolve best practices.
• Possess an understanding of analytical tools for social media tracking, websites and app statistics (e.g. Google analytics, Adobe Analytics, etc.)

Outreach and Engagement

• Coordinate development and implementation of community outreach and engagement strategies across a range of Buffett activities, including teaching, research, and service.
• Oversee events coordination and donor communications to ensure alignment with Buffett priorities and messaging, and appropriate protocols pertaining to VIP participants.
• Identify opportunities and develop and implement strategies to engage community partners and other important stakeholders in Northwestern Buffett events and
• activities.

Supervision

• Collaborate with Buffett Senior Leadership Team to plan and prioritize marketing and communications projects, and supervise Communications staff in their delivery.
• Prioritize and oversee completion of full range of marketing and communications projects while supervising Buffett communications and marketing staff.
• Provide guidance to and supervise Buffett events.
• Manage resources, review and track budget, and adhere to milestones, timelines and deadlines. Manage independent contractor relationships focused on highlighting the
• University in global markets.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications :

• 6+ years of experience with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing / Public Relations, the social sciences or related fields.
• 6+ years of global marketing leadership focused on content and communications ideally with international clientele.
• Experience building global launch plans, and global strategic messaging platforms.
• Media relationships across higher education, business, marketing / advertising outlets with a focus on international outlets.
• Proven success as a strong leader and manager of in-house and out-sourced teams.
• Outstanding content strategy, strategic writing, and editing experience.

Minimum Competencies : (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Ability to translate between domestic and international markets with appropriate tone and cultural nuance.
• Exceptional English verbal and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to present to colleagues across the organization.
• Proven ability to meet deadlines, manage multiple projects concurrently, and pay close attention to detail.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt quickly to changing priorities, direction, and deadlines.
• Ability to attract, develop and retain exceptional talent.
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively, solve problems, plan directions, overcome obstacles and successfully handle multiple assigned projects from concept through final delivery.
• Demonstrated leadership competencies : vision, accountability for results, team leadership, developing others and cross-organization collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to develop best practices for content creation, distribution, maintenance, repurposing and implementation across all channels.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze financial accounts and develop, manage, and monitor budgets

Preferred Qualifications :

• Experience working in higher education and / or non-profit sectors.
• Experience living, studying, or working abroad.

Preferred Competencies : (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

Skill and facility in language(s) other than English

The target hiring range for this position will be between $98,447 - $123,000 per year . Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits :

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness :

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.

We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior / adult care. Visit us at to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development :

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at to learn more .

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness.

More information can be found on the webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations.

We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

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.