Associate Director, Marketing and Communications - Trienens Institute

Department: Trienens Institute
Salary/Grade: EXS/9

Job Summary:

The Associate Director (AD) at the Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy (Trienens) plays a key role in developing, shaping and executing the Institute's integrated marketing and communications (MarComm) strategy. This position is responsible for elevating the visibility of Trienens and its affiliated centers by highlighting Northwestern's leadership in sustainability and energy through compelling, original content and strategic outreach. The AD oversees the Trienens MarComm team, guiding the creation and distribution of multimedia content that aligns with the Institute's strategic priorities. This includes managing staff, freelance writers, and contractors, as well as developing media partnerships to amplify the Institute's impact across internal and external channels.

In addition to overseeing content development for high-level strategic communications with Trienens advisory boards, including the Executive Council, Industrial Affiliates Program members, the AD supports the development of materials that reflect the Institute's mission, research excellence, and stakeholder engagement. The AD also supports targeted engagement efforts with key stakeholder cohorts-such as researchers, industry leaders, nonprofit organizations, policymakers, alumni, and donors. These efforts are designed to foster new partnerships and expand the Institute's influence and collaborative reach.

This role requires close collaboration with the Trienens leadership team, including the Executive Director, Senior Director of Operations and Outreach, and affiliated faculty, and offers a unique opportunity to shape the Institute's public presence and strategic communications at a critical time for global sustainability and energy innovation.

Some travel and evening and/or weekend hours may be necessary

*For fullest consideration, please submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample (on same PDF upload as cover letter)*

Specific Responsibilities:

Marketing and Communications

• Oversee the strategic vision and integrated brand positioning for the Trienens Institute and ISEN Centers, ensuring alignment with financial, reputational, and programmatic goals.
• Direct the implementation of comprehensive marketing and communications strategies across digital, print, and social platforms in collaboration with the Senior Communications Manager and MarComm team.
• Create and produce original multimedia content (e.g., copy, video) that highlights sustainability and energy leadership, partnering with University Marketing & Communications to amplify reach.
• Design strategic campaigns and collateral to support Institute initiatives, events, and fundraising efforts, including materials for Alumni Relations and Foundation Relations.
• Manage Institute publications and freelance contributors to ensure high-quality, consistent output.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with academic units, corporations, nonprofits, and alumni to enhance visibility and engagement.
• Conceptualize and promote thought leadership events that showcase cutting-edge research and policy in sustainability and energy.
• Guide the development of strategic collateral to position Institute programs and infrastructure for philanthropic and sponsored support.

Strategic Planning and Development

• Develop and implement a comprehensive Institute strategy designed to continually grow and improve programs and build internal/external engagement with appropriate consultation from Institute leadership. Re-evaluates and refines strategic plan regularly to ensure Institute stays forward-looking, innovative, and opportunistic with respect to new programs, projects and collaborations.
• Represent the Institute with central offices such as Alumni Relations and Development, and Corporate Engagement, to pitches Institute's existing and/or new projects and programs for Institute-sourced or University-sourced philanthropic or sponsored support, including but not limited to prospective donors, new Executive Council members, Center funding, corporate sponsorship, etc.
• Iteratively benchmark Institute and its new and existing programs against academic peers/competitors to establish credible brand, engagement, and development positioning.

Events

• Develop, plan & implement strategies, goals & approach for programs & events/co-sponsored events (speakers, roundtables, symposia, etc) in coordination with Institute partnerships and research teams.
• Oversee creation of events designed to implement program/project objectives.
• Collaborate with internal/external partners to ensure that events are implemented and meet or exceed planned goals.

Administration and compliance

• Oversee the budget for Institute marketing and communications related activities.
• Compile donor reports annually in conjunction with the Office for Alumni Relations and Development (ARD)

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as journalism, communications, public relations, or related field; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 5 years' experience managing program development in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated project management experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree in journalism or a communications-related field
• 5+ years professional experience working in public relations, journalism, or communications (or equivalent experience)
• Experience leading an operational team
• Prior experience working at a university, particularly a research university
• Project Management certification
• Excellent writing and editing skills; creative drive to generate compelling communications materials for varied audiences
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and facilitation skills
• Familiarity with basic HTML / website content-management platform, Adobe product suite (Photoshop, InDesign, etc), Canva, etc.
• Comfort with multi-tasking 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
• Breadth of sustainability and energy knowledge, particularly as demonstrated with a writing portfolio spanning topics in science/technology, financial, and policy/regulatory environments
• Demonstrated experience / original work in graphic design and multimedia communications (photography, magazine, audio, video, etc.)

Target hiring range for this position will be between $87,000-$95,000 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.

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