Manager, Internal Communications

Job Description:

ABOUT THE CHICAGO SCHOOL

The Chicago School educates the next generation of change-makers in innovative theory and culturally competent practice to strengthen the integrated health of individuals, organizations, and communities. We enroll over 6,000 students across 40+ academic programs culminating in a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree or a professional certificate, and our unique approach to impact-focused education has made us a leading nonprofit university for over 45 years.

As an employee at The Chicago School, you can become a member of an inclusive community committed to excellence. At The Chicago School, we celebrate individuals of all backgrounds and identities for who they are and what they can contribute. We take pride in hiring and retaining the most dynamic, talented, and passionate professionals who will help us continue to innovate for decades to come.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Chicago School is seeking a highly organized and strategic communicator for the Internal Communications Manager role. The Internal Communications Manager is an experienced, motivated communications professional with experience in leading internal communications with geographically dispersed and diverse audiences. The Internal Communications Manager is a strategic leader on the University Communications team, driving the strategy and infrastructure necessary for comprehensive institutional communications. The Manager will also be a talented executor with an exceptional attention to detail, compelling editorial skills, and the ability to use data to drive improvement.

Reporting to the Executive Director for University Communications, this role willoversee internal communications, systems, andprocesses that build community-wide engagement and align with the university's strategic vision and goals.

The successful candidate will be an exceptional communicator and proactive problem-solver who thrives in a dynamic environment.This position requires strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and the ability to collaborate with various stakeholders across the university's multiple locations to drive successful outcomes.

This remote-eligible position may require occasional travel to support initiatives across our campus locations in Chicago, Southern California, Washington D.C., and Dallas.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Content Creation & Management

• Deliver regular institutional communications: Write, edit, manage, and/or distribute board updates, university newsletters, executive reports, town halls, and various leadership communications that communicate strategic context and key institutional updates

• Manage communications systems and platforms: Operate email platforms and related systems to monitor delivery rates, track engagement metrics, and increase communications effectiveness

• Execute communications for major initiatives: Implement approved communications plans for major initiatives (e.g., campus relocations, new policies or process changes, institutional projects) while maintaining clear, timely employee updates

Infrastructure & Coordination

• Maintain university-wide communications infrastructure: Operate and update a centralized system to collect news, updates, and accomplishments, and manage a coordinated calendar that prevents conflicts and ensures consistent messaging across all departments

• Execute cross-department coordination: Follow standardized communications processes with colleges and departments to ensure consistent messaging and eliminate redundant communications

• Data analysis and reporting: Maintain dashboards and reporting mechanisms to monitor strategic initiative progress, compile status reports for leadership, and distribute critical updates related to internal communications initiatives

Team Support

• People management: Manage 1-2 student content/administrative assistants to support communications production and distribution

• Support University Communications projects: Execute assigned tasks and provide coverage for special projects as needed to support departmental operations

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or related field

• 4-5+ years of experience in internal communications, organizational communications, or corporate communications

• Experience with email marketing platforms (Constant Contact preferred) and content management systems

• Exceptional writing, editing, and communication skills for diverse audiences

• Strong project management skills with ability to coordinate multiple projects across multiple stakeholders simultaneously

• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to analyze and communicate data

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in Communications, Organizational Communication, or related field

• Experience in higher education or corporate internal communications

• Background in employee engagement or organizational development

• Knowledge of communications best practices for complex organizations

• Familiarity with board-level communications and executive reporting

Compensation & Benefits

This opportunity is budgeted at $70,000 - $80,000 base compensation. Additional compensation factors may impact total compensation. To learn more about our competitive benefits and additional rewards, including generous paid time-off, medical and dental insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, multiple flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement, click the link below.

https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/career-opportunities/

The Chicago School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please note: For the protection of faculty, staff, students, and all who enter our facilities, The Chicago School strongly recommends that all employees are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 per CDC guidance.