Are you passionate about storytelling and showcasing groundbreaking innovation and new technologies that will change the world? Then we have a job for you. The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago applies world-class business expertise from Chicago Booth to bring new ideas and breakthrough innovations to market. We are a 60-person professional staff responsible for driving the creation of new ventures and commercial partnerships at the University of Chicago. We provide educational training, connect with investors and partners, and support new venture creation. This year marks the 25th anniversary of our Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge, a nationally-ranked accelerator, which has graduated more than 330 startup companies still in operation today that have gone on to raise more than $1 billion in funding and more than $7.5 billion in exits. Startups include household names such as Grubhub, Braintree/Venmo, and Simple Mills. Does this sound exciting?...then read on:

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Assistant Director of Media Relations and External Communications is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive public relations programs and strategies to generate media coverage for the Polsky Center in order to raise the external brand awareness of Polsky—locally, nationally, and globally. This position engages daily with Polsky Center leadership, staff, campus partners, media outlets, and external organizations in the entrepreneurial, technology, science, and business community. Important components of this position include developing innovative media relations plans, securing speaking engagements and conference participation for Polsky thought leaders, managing award submissions, connecting with influencers, managing relationships with external partners, and developing creative and engaging content, press releases, and featured stories about the Polsky Center. In addition, this role supports new thought leadership strategies, partnerships and ecosystem participation, and overall marketing communications.

Responsibilities

1) Lead all media relations activities for the Polsky Center by developing and executing successful communication plans and media strategies to garner coverage of the Polsky Center and its leadership in venture creation, science innovation, technology commercialization, partnership development, and supporting South Side small businesses.

2) Identify and develop strong relationships with media contacts at local, regional, national, and global media outlets, and serve as the primary contact for connecting reporters with Polsky subject-matter experts.

3) Actively monitor all media coverage and mentions of the Polsky Center and oversee the production of a weekly media recap.

4) Manage a pipeline of strategic content related to Polsky Center’s role in supporting businesses on Chicago’s South Side and its track record in venture creation; work with other marketing colleagues, freelancers, and interns to increase the amount of Polsky Center’s storytelling and brand-building efforts.

5) Secure, coordinate, and support logistics for external speaking engagements (i.e., panels, keynotes, conferences, etc.) for Polsky Center leadership and team members; prepare, train, and mentor senior leadership, startup founders, and researchers for media interviews and public speaking opportunities; develop briefing documents and maintain a master list of all ecosystem opportunities and participation.

6) Proactively seek out opportunities for the Polsky Center and affiliated startups/innovators/entrepreneurs to win awards, present at conferences, and receive other recognition; recommend events where Polsky Center team members should attend in the ecosystem.

7) Develop a variety of communications on a frequent basis, including: press releases, profiles, featured stories, partnership announcements, cohort announcements, startup milestones, awards submissions, speaker proposals, speaker presentations, blog posts, and thought leadership projects, etc.

8) Maintain a master list of all Polsky Center talking points that is updated on a monthly basis and includes updated stats and messaging; play an active role in managing the Polsky Marketing Toolkit and equipping team members with the most relevant talking points, slides, and presentations. 

9) Be a willing resource to support ad hoc requests, related to programs, events, and non-marketing Polsky Center projects, as needed.

10) Create and deliver presentations on the Polsky Center's activities to various audiences, as needed.  

Skils and Competencies

1) Proficiency in Microsoft office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel). 

2) Excellent written and verbal communications skills. 

3) Resourcefulness, creativity, detail-orientation, and ability to work independently. 

4) Effectively multi-task under deadlines, ask questions as necessary. 

5) Work effectively and collaboratively across all levels of the organization.

6) Demonstrated excellent customer service skills.

7) Willing to take on additional duties, as assigned,.

8) Understanding of the Polsky Center’s programs, resources, mission and goals.

9) Travel between Hyde Park, downtown Chicago, and 53rd Street.

10) Flexibility to occasionally work late or start early for the Polsky Center events; this position will spend the majority of time in Hyde Park.

Education and Experience

Education

1) Bachelor's degree. 

Experience

1) A minimum three years of media relations, public relations, marketing, sales, journalism, or partnership relations/development experience.

2) Pitching ideas and news stories to media.

3) Writing about startups, science, technology, entrepreneurship, and/or innovation topics.

4) Managing large-scale or high-profile events.                                           

Required Documents

1) Resume/CV

2) Cover letter

3) Sending samples / portfolio examples / media placements is a PLUS!!!

NOTE: We are all working from home right now, so the role will begin in a remote/work from home environment. As we begin to transition to back to the office (date TBD), this role will work at the Polsky office in Hyde Park with option to work at alternative locations.