Communications and Events Coordinator

$55,000 - $62,000/Yr

Northwestern University - Evanston, IL

Full-time - Entry Level

Evanston, IL

Educational Services

About the position

The Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy is dedicated to research, innovation and education in decarbonization, renewable energy, and sustainability. As a member of the Marketing and Communication team, the communications Coordinator helps promote these efforts through internal and external outreach such as writing and editing print and web feature articles, developing social media content, and editing web pages. This position will also design presentations and publications. The coordinator ensures that projects meet deadlines and uphold design, writing and brand standards. This position will play a critical role in coordinating internal and public events and will ensure that all logistics such as advertising, registration, speakers, venues, catering, technology, etc. have been completed. Represents the dept, program or project with various levels of personnel both internally & externally managing & facilitating confidential &/or critical information; responds to unanticipated & complex issues. This position requires a team-player who can work with a high degree of independence, discretion handling confidential information, attention to detail, organizational skills, excellent communication (written and verbal), and ability to follow up on meetings and plan next steps in collaboration with Trienens Institute leadership and staff.

Responsibilities

• Manages day to day operations.
• Ensures that program/project mission, values, guidelines, policies & procedures are implemented & maintained.
• Manages design and development of program databases; compiles & analyzes data; prepares reports.
• Reviews processes and recommends changes to incorporate state-of-the-art technology as appropriate into administrative, recruitment, marketing, and educational components.
• Identifies service improvement opportunities that will better enable program/project to achieve its goals and objectives.
• Acts as liaison to IT to ensure technology systems are properly installed & maintained.
• Participates in budget preparation.
• Maintains budget & associated analysis & reports.
• Enters individual &/or summary of transactions into journals &/or general ledger or other NU enterprise system.
• Reviews: ensures approval based on alternatives regarding practice & policy; analyzes and classifies transactions in accordance with established chart or coding of accounts; creates new accounts; prepares, processes, reconciles & provides receipts (as appropriate) for transactions.
• Processes transfer &/or appropriation charges & may balance &/or close accounts.
• Troubleshoots problems; performs vendor/account research as needed; obtains additional information or provides instruction & guidance by phone, US- or e- mail from customers/vendors; corrects or escalates.
• Develops coordinated, consistent marketing and brand messages.
• Creates state-of-the-art website.
• Incorporates social media and networking into program/project aspects as appropriate.
• Strengthens partnerships with external resources by defining, promoting and marketing benefits of participation and involvement to the organization.
• Creates and nurtures relationships with organizations to develop a network of enthusiastic organizations engaged via active participation in the success of program/project.
• Reviews market trends to recommend future plans to increase revenue, participation, engagement, etc.
• Observes program sessions and interacts with participants for the purpose of gaining consumer insight, growing and strengthening program knowledge, and optimizing client satisfaction.
• Coordinates the collection, analysis & reporting of required information for surveys, review documents, public information documents, etc.
• Analyzes evaluation data from instructors, students, participants, etc. to assist in program/project development and updates.
• Implements corrective actions required as a result of surveys or other indicators.
• Coordinates programming, educational, student, alumni, workshops, meetings, etc. including speakers, agendas, etc.
• Develops plans and arranges meetings, workshops, events, etc. designed to exchange information, promote research objectives, and to build internal and external relationships within NU.
• Ensures that event details including communication, venues, presenters, travel arrangements, materials, refreshments and technology are arranged and completed in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Manages program/project curriculum, seminars, presentations, workshops, learning experiences, chat rooms, websites, social networking, etc. based on goals/objectives.
• Manages academic quality and continued growth and expansion.
• Identifies & obtains external expertise as needed and works with content experts for current and new programs.
• Reviews programs/projects to increase efficiencies to support growth.
• Manages speaker selection, communication, and topic development.
• Leads program/project updates and improvements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 1 year program/project administration or other relevant experience.
• Well versed in AP style, with a sharp eye for grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• Basic knowledge of current copyright and libel laws.
• Demonstrated experience with Software/Platforms: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop and InDesign), and Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), MailChimp or other event email marketing platforms.
• Demonstrated experience with content and photo editing systems for websites and social media.
• Demonstrated experience with social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram.
• Demonstrated image/design experience (page designs, web layouts, editing images and graphics, etc.).

Nice-to-haves

• Three or more years of related experience.
• Degree in journalism, communications; or a master's in a social science field (political science, sociology, etc.).
• Software: Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop), Google Analytics, Cascade Content Management System, and Sprinklr, or equivalent.
• Experience writing for a publication and/or website and experience in contributing to social media platforms for a nonprofit, institution of higher education, or other organization.

Benefits

• Meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans.
• Retirement benefits.
• Tuition discounts.
• Flexible work arrangements.
• Programs to help locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care.
• Comprehensive programs and services to help navigate life's challenges and opportunities.
• Support for employee career development.