Global Communications Senior Director

Department

BFI - Administration

About the Department

Inspired by our namesakes, Nobel Laureates Gary Becker and Milton Friedman, who believed that economic research could help improve the world, the Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) aims to foster frontier research and apply those findings to achieve global impact. Rooted in core values of service, rigor, and innovation, BFI brings together researchers from the Booth School of Business, the Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics, the Harris School of Public Policy, the Law School, and the entire University of Chicago Economics Community to leverage robust data, apply cutting-edge analytical tools, and uncover novel insights on the world’s most difficult economic problems. BFI then bridges the divide between academic researchers and relevant policy makers by translating and packaging rigorous research into accessible formats and proactively sharing those findings with decision-makers and thought leaders in business, government, and nonprofit institutions. In this way, BFI plays a significant role in addressing the most difficult challenges facing the global community.

Job Summary

The Senior Director of Global Communications is a key member of the Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) executive leadership team, reporting to the Executive Director. This role manages a team or multiple teams of managers and professional staff responsible for planning, preparing and disseminating information designed to keep the public informed of the University's perspectives, programs, and accomplishments. Develops and plans marketing, press relations, creative editorial and design services, and internal communications. In coordination with BFI leadership and supported by a highly talented staff, the Senior Director is responsible for both internal and external communications, including:

• Communicating Chicago Economics research insights to key external stakeholders, including the media, decision-makers and thought leaders in business, government, and nonprofit institutions.
• Communicating BFI programming, resources, and other news with the University of Chicago leadership, academic community, and alumni.
• Advancing BFI's national and global visibility, reputation, and prestige with external audiences in support of the Institute's strategic initiatives and priorities.
• Developing an outreach program to engage leaders and partners around the world who can benefit from the Institute’s research discoveries and intellectual capital.
• Making faculty research accessible to external audiences using various communication vehicles, such as events, direct engagement, and legacy, digital and social media.

Responsibilities

• Strategy/Vision - works as part of the BFI leadership team on overall strategy, goals, and vision for the institute.
• Research Translation/Producing Outreach Materials - with the support of BFI’s Senior Economic Writer, works with UChicago scholars to create policy-relevant and accessible summary documents to accompany research, such as policy briefs, op-eds, blogs, testimony, speeches, video clips and podcasts, etc. This involves developing relationships and working closely with University of Chicago economists to understand their research and to identify the most effective and appropriate ways to communicate their research.
• Research Dissemination/Media Outreach - leads strategic outreach to media regarding BFI research and, as appropriate, other UChicago economics research. This includes the development and cultivation of media relationships, particularly among national economic reporters, as well as maintaining and growing BFI’s working paper series. Also serves as primary liaison to communications staff throughout UChicago to coordinate BFI’s work with other relevant offices.
• External Stakeholder and Policy Outreach - in coordination with BFI leadership and external advisers, creates and builds opportunities for BFI to routinely engage with US and global economic policymakers and policy-relevant institutions. This will include, but not be limited to: direct policy engagement which includes Capitol Hill and Administration visits, round-tables with media outlets, Capitol Hill briefings and/or other public events; NGOs; the private sector; and new opportunities for internships in economic policy for UChicago students.
• Communications - with the support of communications staff, manages/leverages all BFI communications and communications assets for both internal and external audiences, including BFI websites, social media, newsletters, programming announcements (events, awards, etc.) and more. This includes oversight of the BFI editorial calendar and quality control over all BFI content.
• Events - in coordination with BFI’s Executive Director and with the support of the events team, leads execution of BFI events, both internal (research conferences) and external (high-profile public events on policy-relevant topics). Working with the BFI communications staff, oversees event marketing such as event pages on website, event announcements, call for papers, etc.
• Management - directly leads three distinct teams: Communications, Events, and Digital Media - each led by a dedicated manager. Provides strategic oversight for professionals across web/social media, communications, design, and event planning. Engages with and directs multiple external consultants and advisers as needed. Manages the budgets for all three teams, partnering with the Finance team on invoicing, expense tracking, and forecasting.
• Implements innovative strategies in managing media interface, including publications, planning and organizing media coverage for major events, and responding to requests on sensitive or controversial issues. Proactively engages in 'news of the day' to frame and distribute important announcements and updates.
• Oversees the writing, preparation, and/or delivery of information from or about the unit. Is accountable for maintaining the unit's goals and communications strategy in publications, announcements, and speeches.
• Develops and manages the communications budget.
• 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 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations, marketing, economics, English or a related field.
• Graduate degree.
   

Experience:

• 10-15 years working in an economic research/policy communications environment in a leadership role.
• Significant management experience.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with academic researchers.
• Background with common web/communications tools and software platforms.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Knowledge of and experience with online tools and social media platforms.
• Project management skills.
• Knowledge of grammar, punctuation, spelling and style. 
• Knowledge of MS Office Suite.

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to influence a diverse group of people to meet goals and deadlines, build and manage teams, and work collaboratively with senior leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to develop relationships with multiple stakeholders.
• Capability to understand complex research and identify the best way to communicate said research to a variety of different audiences.
• Comfort and experience working with members of the media.
• Handle multiple tasks and assignments simultaneously.
• Creativity and think outside-the-box.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills. 
• Problem-solving skills. 
• Work independently with a high degree of initiative.
• Work as a member of a team.
• Attention to detail with excellent organizational skills.
• Set priorities and meet deadlines.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

Job Family

Communications

Role Impact

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$165,000.00 - $190,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, 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.

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.

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.

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