Marketing & Community Manager

Department: The Garage
Salary/Grade: EXS/7

Job Summary:

The Garage Marketing & Community Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily execution of the Garage's Integrated Marketing and Communications strategy, and the tactical development of marketing and communications content campaigns (including the annual reports, Board of Trustee reports, donor and gift updates, and other related collateral) across owned channels (website, newsletters, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok, etc.). The Marketing & Community Manager will also develop original content on innovation and entrepreneurship and pitch to internal/external media channel partners, potential donors, and alumni. This role is also responsible for ideating and implementing community building initiatives on digital channels (e.g., Slack), as well as in-person events. The role includes coordination of photography personnel, internal/external freelance writers, and contractors (as appropriate) at several events through the year.

Some evening and/or weekend hours may be necessary, as dictated by programmatic responsibilities.

Specific Responsibilities:

Marketing and Communications:

• Conceptualizes, writes, edits and produces original multimedia content (copy, video, etc.), and works in close collaboration with University marketing partners, including Global Marketing & Communications and other departments and centers, to distribute The Garage content and source supplemental material.
• Directs daily implementation of The Garage's Marketing and Communications strategy, across digital and print marketing, communications, and social media platforms, ensuring content is current and aligned with marketing campaigns, and branded positioning for The Garage is accurate and engaging.
• Responsible for conceiving forward-looking content campaigns that align with The Garage strategic foci to engage prospect students, donors, and alumni.
• Works directly with the Executive Director to conceptualize strategic content for The Garage annual report, writes features and minor pieces, and coordinates hiring/manages workflow of temporary personnel, including designers, freelance writers, and/or other contractors as necessary.
• Writes and edits The Garage development collateral, in collaboration with the Executive Director, INVO, Alumni Relations & Development, Foundation Relations, and others, as necessary.

Student Engagement:

• Develops and implements community building initiatives to connect students with each other, surface needs & asks from startups, and build a collaborative culture.
• Comprehensively manages student engagement initiatives, including program marketing, student recruitment/evaluation/selection, application/proposal development, etc.
• Serves as client-facing liaison for internal/external program stakeholders, including co-sponsors or program facilitators (e.g. investors, potential mentors, alumni).

Supervision:

• Coordinates hiring / manages workflow of temporary personnel, freelance writers, and/or other contractors, as necessary, to achieve strategic content or collateral needs (content expertise, coverage, placement, etc.)

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• 2+ years professional experience working in brand management, community management, or social media marketing.
• At least 1 year of demonstrated project management.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Excellent writing and editing skills; creative drive to generate compelling communications materials for varied audiences;
• Extremely strong interpersonal, communication, facilitation, skills;
• Familiarity with graphic design software, social media marketing, and newsletter management;
• Familiarity or willingness to learn basic HTML / website content-management platform;
• Must be able to multi-task and work in a high-energy, fast paced environment;
• Ability to prioritize with firm deadlines, and to work independently;
• Ability to establish and maintain good relationships with a variety of constitutes, including faculty, board members, administrators, students and co-workers;

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Bachelor's degree in marketing or a communications-related field;
• Experience building significant social media followings for brands;
• Prior experience working at a university, particularly a research university;
• Experience managing vendors / contractors

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Demonstrated experience / original work in graphic design and multimedia communications (photography, magazine, audio, video, etc.);
• Knowledge and interest in entrepreneurship, startups, and venture capital

Target hiring range for this position will be between $68,000 to $79,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.