Job Description

Job Summary:

The associate director of marketing and communications is an accomplished writer, editor, and project manager with broad-based responsibilities for planning, overseeing, and implementing a wide range of communications on behalf of Northwestern Alumni Relations and Development (ARD), including the Northwestern Alumni Association (NAA). The associate director manages a portfolio of projects in a fast-paced environment, collaborating with team members and interacting with ARD and University partners, and coordinating freelance writers, editors, and photographers as needed. Projects include print and digital communications for alumni and donor engagement, such as event marketing materials, magazine stories, press releases, gift announcements, social media copy, fundraising solicitations, and stewardship materials. The associate director also manages weekly project assignment meetings with project management software oversight.

Please note: The target budgeted salary for this position is $75,000 - $80,000 annually. Offers will be based on candidate experience and education, as well as equity within Northwestern University.

*Note: Not all aspects of the job are covered by this job description.



Specific Responsibilities:

Review, copyedit, and proofread print and digital communications materials.
Enforce editorial and brand guidelines
Adapt messaging and tone as appropriate for different circumstances and audiences
Decipher complex concepts and translate them to accessible language for general audiences
Work with director to maintain and develop smooth and efficient processes for the marketing and communications team
Audit editorial quality and identify opportunities to improve communication effectiveness
Collaborate with team members to develop new communications, from concept through execution
Serve as the strategic project lead for individual projects and integrated, multi-faceted programs, managing partner relations and communication plan development (goal, strategy, target, channel mix, schedules, and budget)
Collaborate with team members (including design, social, digital, and video) and ARD and University partners at all levels
Ensure projects and programs are on strategy, on time, and on budget
Assist in vetting and hiring freelance writers, and editors
Develop short- and long-form content for a variety of strategic, engagement, fundraising, and stewardship materials, including newsletters, press releases, and magazine stories (print and digital)
Conduct research and interviews for the development of content
Lead weekly project assignment team meetings and oversee team’s project management software usage
Handle other projects as assigned by the director of marketing and communications


Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.



Minimum Qualifications (Education, Experience, Certifications, Skills)

Identify the minimum qualifications required to successfully perform the job. Qualifications include education, experience, specialized knowledge, professional certification.
Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, or marketing, or the equivalent in education, experience, and training
A minimum of eight years of professional writing and editing experience, including print and online content


Preferred Qualifications (Education, Experience, Certifications, Skills)

Experience managing partners or clients, complex tasks, and large-scale editorial and/or marketing projects
Experience developing communication plans
Exceptional communication skills: interviewing, writing, editing, and proofreading
Experience in higher education advancement
Experience writing fundraising solicitations
Experience in Chicago Manual of Style
Experience in a project management workflow system such as Smartsheet
Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects and completing them under tight deadlines
Ability to think strategically and creatively, collaborate, and demonstrate attention to detail
Strong portfolio of writing that is clear, accurate, and compelling
Ability to adapt writing styles to different tonalities and voices
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Track Changes