Department
Booth Polsky Center: Marketing
About the Department
The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation advances innovative ideas and technologies from the University of Chicago ecosystem to the world. We are dedicated to supporting students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as other entrepreneurs and community-based small business owners in navigating the complex process of bringing new products, services, and research to market. For more information, visit polsky.uchicago.edu.
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business is the second-oldest business school in the U.S. and second to none when it comes to influencing business education and business practices. Since 1898, the school has produced ideas and leaders that shape the world of business. Their rigorous, discipline-based approach to business education transforms students into confident, effective, respected business leaders prepared to face the toughest challenges.
Chicago Booth has the finest set of facilities of any business school in the world. Each of the four campuses (two in Chicago, one in London, and one in Hong Kong) reflects the architectural traditions of its environs while offering a state-of-the-art learning environment.
Chicago Booth is proud to claim:
-an unmatched faculty.
-degree and open enrollment programs offered on three continents.
-a global body of nearly 56,000 accomplished alumni.
-strong and growing corporate relationships that provide a wealth of lifelong career opportunities.
As part of the world-renowned University of Chicago, Chicago Booth shares the University's core values that shape the distinctive intellectual culture. At Booth, they constantly question and test ideas, and seek proof. This extraordinarily effective approach to business leads to new ideas and innovative solutions. Seven of the Booth faculty members have won Nobel Prizes for these ideas - the first business school to achieve this accomplishment.
For more information about the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, please visit: http://www.chicagobooth.edu/.
Job Summary
The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago is seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Associate Director of Media Relations and External Communications to lead efforts in elevating the Polsky Center’s local, national, and global profile through proactive media engagement, thought leadership, and strategic external communications.
This individual will serve as the primary media relations expert for the Polsky Center, working closely with internal leadership, University communications teams, faculty, entrepreneurs, and industry partners to position the Polsky Center and its stakeholders as leaders in innovation, research commercialization, venture creation, and entrepreneurial education.
Responsibilities
- Develops and leads a proactive media relations strategy to position the Polsky Center as a premier hub for entrepreneurship, innovation, and science commercialization.
- Cultivates, manages, and owns relationships with local, national, and industry media outlets, journalists, and influencers.
- Identifies and pitches newsworthy stories related to Polsky Center programming and events, startups, faculty research commercialization, and major institutional milestones.
- Actively monitors all media coverage and mentions of the Polsky Center and provides summaries and key metrics of performance.
- Crafts high-impact press releases, media advisories, op-eds, briefing materials, and executive communications.
- Supports external-facing communications initiatives, including speaking opportunities, partnerships, and events.
- Manages, collects, curates, and compiles content for Polsky Center ongoing reporting, including quarterly and annual reports.
- Maintains a master list of all talking points that is updated with new stats and messaging. Plays an active role in managing the Polsky Marketing Toolkit and equipping team members with the most relevant talking points, slides, and presentations.
- Ensures consistency of messaging and brand voice across all external communications.
- Develops and implements crisis communication strategies when needed.
- Supports leadership and faculty in building visibility as subject matter experts through media placements, bylined articles, and conference opportunities.
- Collaborates with the University’s Central Communications team to amplify content and institutional positioning.
- Leads one or more of the following marketing functions: marketing communications and advertising, web blogs or other digital marketing, and market research. Reviews and updates marketing infrastructure which may include one or more database systems, the intranet, and external web sites.
- Provides expertise to marketing communications, advertising, or publicity strategy. Plans and coordinates the development and production of marketing campaigns, ensuring deadlines and budgets are met. Designs, writes, and edits high profile or high visibility marketing materials, which may include press releases, book jacket copy, blogs, or other Web material.
- 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, communications, public relations, or a related field.
- Advanced degree.
Experience:
- Minimum seven years of professional experience in media relations, public affairs, or strategic communications, preferably within higher education, government, research institutions, or innovation-focused industries.
- Background translating complex or technical topics, particularly science, technology, or business innovation, for broad audiences.
Preferred Competencies
- Demonstrated success in securing earned media coverage in top-tier outlets.
- Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
- Strong news judgment and understanding of the media landscape.
- Proven ability to build and manage relationships with journalists, editors, and producers.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to balance long-term planning with rapid response.
- Collaborative team player with strong organizational and leadership skills.
Working Conditions
- This position is currently expected to work a minimum three days per week in the office.
Application Documents
- Resume/CV (required)
- Cover Letter (required)
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Communications
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$75,000.00 - $90,000.00
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 theBenefits 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.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
