Associate Director of Strategic Communications (EXTENDED)

Primary Function

Under the direction of the Associate Vice President of Institutional Communications, Chief Communications Strategist, the position is charged with developing and implementing strategic communications plans and tactics to drive awareness, engagement and action across multiple channels. The role will primarily focus on the creation of compelling messaging and editorial content to support initiatives such as student recruitment and retention, employee engagement and building an inclusive community. The position will also play a supporting role in advancing the university’s public relations efforts.
Duties and Responsibilities (generally)

Leads and manages creation of editorial content. Strategizes and develops marketing and communication plans. Assists the AVP with messaging, communications planning and editorial requests.
Minimum Required Qualifications for this position

1. Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, radio/television broadcasting, web/digital media, or a related field.
2. One (1) year (12 months) of professional work experience in public relations, journalism, social media communications, newspaper reporting, radio/television broadcasting with emphasis on production, or web/digital media.
3. Seven (7) years of proven work experience as a communications or public relations manager and/or director with two (2) years (24 months) of supervisory experience.
Specialty Factors (Additional Required Qualifications)

Education and Experience Preferred

1. A master’s degree in journalism, public relations, communications, business, marketing or related field.
2. Two years of supervisory experience.
3. Experience as a senior level strategist.
4. Experience in recruitment marketing, communications strategies and tactics, especially for Higher Education.
5. Experience in supporting diversity, equity, inclusivity and social justice initiatives.
6. Experience with web marketing and related analytics tools such as Google Analytics.
List the knowledge, skills, and abilities critical to the performance of this position.

• Knowledge of current and emerging communications methodologies and technologies.
• Knowledge of public relations techniques and tactics.
• Excellent oral communication skills focused on managing relationships, influencing executives and making presentations.
• Skill in writing effectively.
• Skill in problem solving.
• Skill in effectively using all major social media platforms to their fullest potential.
• Skill in attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Skill in public speaking and delivering presentations to individuals and groups.
• Skill in time management, organizing work assignments, and responding quickly and effectively to challenges.
• Skill in using office suite software (e.g., word processor, spreadsheet, presentation program)
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute communications impacting reputation.
• Ability to communicate effectively regarding university and college operations and their relationship to identified outcomes.
• Ability to work in a collaborative manner with departments, including University Marketing, Creative Services, Web and Internal Communications to strategize and implement marketing and content ideas.
• Ability to establish long-range objectives and specify the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Ability to assess and manage issues or crisis
• Ability to work beyond the scope of normal university hours of 8-4:30, including evening and weekend work.
Working Hours
M-F, 8:00-4:30, with flexibility for evenings and weekends
Minimum Pay Rate (Hourly or Monthly)
$5,416.67 monthly
Hiring Rate Information

Actual hiring rate is commensurate with experience, education, and internal equity; position includes a robust benefits package to eligible applicants.

Posting Date
08/06/2021
Closing Date
09/17/2021
Priority Review Date

Special Instructions to Applicants

• Fully complete the Education and Work History sections of the application. Be specific on your entire work history, including employment dates and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position, however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience.

• If you have education and/or training in excess of what is required, we encourage you to upload your unofficial transcripts.

• After the posting has closed, your submission will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the classification, including any specialty factors associated with this particular position.

• Please monitor your e-mail for further information regarding your application. Emails will be generated from jobs@niu.edu and CivilServiceTesting@niu.edu. Please add these emails to your address book to ensure timely delivery of any future communication.

• We STRONGLY recommend that contact information used in your online profile be personal use, not professional/work information: personal email address, home address, and phone numbers. The information you provide is used to make contact on search updates, department referrals and interviews, etc. We must be able to relay sensitive and important information in a way that protects your privacy concerning job search activity, now and in the future.

• The Civil Service examination for this classification is a Credentials Assessment, and is based on your application materials as submitted for this posting. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register. After the application deadline, the names within the top three scores will be referred to the hiring department for interview.

• Once this position has been filled, all names will be removed from the employment register in accordance with State Universities Civil Service System rule 250.60(h)(10) .

• If eligible for Veteran’s Preference Points, DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256 paperwork reflecting a Honorable Discharge MUST be uploaded to this application in order to receive the maximum eligible points on the Civil Service examination.

• Click on Public Information Associate for more information including salary ranges, typical duties, minimum acceptable qualifications, and testing requirements.

• Please click Human Resource Services – Benefits for detailed information about Northern Illinois University’s benefits package.

• Employment is contingent upon your passing a criminal background investigation. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Link to Department Homepage
https://www.niu.edu/emmc/institutional-communications/index.shtml
Physical Demands

EEO Statement

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ethics and Compliance Officer, Title IX Coordinator
Health Services 230
TitleIXCoordinator@niu.edu
815-753-5560
Is Background Check Required
Yes
Visa Policy

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

ADA Accommodation

NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person’s disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form . For further assistance, please contact the office of Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity and Education ( AAEOE ) at ada@niu.edu .

Clery Act Information

NIU provides information regarding campus security, personal and fire safety, including topics such as: crime prevention, emergency response procedures and crime reporting policies, in addition to crime and fire statistics for the most recent three calendar years. The Annual Security Report containing security and safety information is available at www.safety.niu.edu/clery or by contacting the University Police Department and Public Safety Department at 815-753-9628 to receive a hard copy. The Annual Fire Safety Report is available at www.niu.edu/clery/fire_report.pdf or by contacting the Environmental Health and Safety Department at 815-753-0404 to receive a hard copy.

Quick Link
https://employment.niu.edu/postings/58378
Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * If applicable, have you attached a copy of your DD214, DD215, NGB22, or DD256 for consideration of Veterans Preference Points? The copy submitted should reflect the status of discharge in order to be considered.
   • Yes
   • No
   • Not Applicable
2. * Please rate your level of professional work experience in public relations, journalism, social media communications, newspaper reporting, radio/television broadcasting with an emphasis on production, or web/digital media.
   • Work experience not directly related to the job function described
   • Work experience at a minimum level of competency relevant to the job function described, requiring some assistance and guidance.
   • Work experience at a high level of competency relevant to the job function described, performed independently.
3. * Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or resume.
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   
4. * Please rate your level of professional work experience as a communications or public relations manager and/or director.
   • Work experience not directly related to the job function described
   • Work experience at a minimum level of competency relevant to the job function described, requiring some assistance and guidance.
   • Work experience at a high level of competency relevant to the job function described, performed independently.
5. * Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or resume.
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   
6. * How many years of work experience in a supervisory role do you possess?
   • 0-2 years
   • 2-4 years
   • 4-6 years
   • 6 or more years
7. * Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or resume.
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   
8. * What field/major is your degree in?
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   

Applicant Documents
Required Documents

1. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2. Cover Letter
3. List of at least 3 References

Optional Documents

1. Military Discharge Documents ONLY (DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256)
2. Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire)
3. Transcripts #2 (unofficial with official required at hire)
4. Transcripts #3 (unofficial with official required at hire)