Department
IOP: Communications
About the Department
The University of Chicago Institute of Politics (IOP) was founded in 2013 by alumnus David Axelrod (AB ’76) to ignite in students a passion for public service, meaningful dialogue, and active participation in democracy. Nonpartisan by design, the IOP has quickly become a national leader in preparing the next generation of public servants. With more than 300 internships annually, student-led civic engagement programs, a world-class fellowship bringing in top policymakers and journalists, and one of the country’s most respected political speaker series, the IOP is a hub for conversation and action at the highest levels. It is a model for civil discourse and free expression, which is the through line in all of its programming.
Four core programs form the heart of the Institute:
• Career Development: a dedicated team providing students with one-on-one career advising and hands-on opportunities to explore careers in politics and public service. Each year the IOP provides over 300 paid internship opportunities worldwide in politics, public policy, government, nonprofits and journalism.
• Civic Engagement: a program that enables students to take an active role in solving social and political challenges in their communities during the academic year and to develop their leadership skills via student-led programs, workshops and trainings, political exploration treks and special programs.
• Pritzker Fellows Program: resident and visiting fellowships where distinguished political officials, policymakers, journalists, diplomats and others come to campus for an academic quarter to work closely with and mentor students.
• Speaker Series: enriching political and policy discourse on campus and in the greater Chicagoland area by providing a forum for diverse insights on key issues of the day. More than 1,400 speakers have come to campus from across the political spectrum, a testament to the IOP’s non-partisan commitment to elevating public conversation around important contemporary issues.
Job Summary
The Communications Specialist is a key member of the IOP's small, fast-moving communications team in shaping and executing the Institute's public narrative. Working under general direction from the Strategic Communications Director, the Specialist independently manages projects from concept to completion and exercises judgment on messaging, media outreach and channel strategy. This is a writing-first role for someone who can craft a compelling media pitch as readily as a donor letter, who is building media relationships and knows how to work them, and who brings enthusiasm and strategic instincts to a high-visibility institution. The Specialist plays an important role in media relations, donor and stakeholder communications, and the IOP's digital presence, integrating the communications needs of the Institute's four core programs: the Speaker Series, Fellows Program, Civic Engagement Program, and Career Development Program. This position reports to the Strategic Communications Director.
Responsibilities
Drafts and distributes press releases, media advisories, and event previews.
Plans and executes communications campaigns for the Speaker Series, Fellows, Civic Engagement and Career Development programs, from strategy through evaluation.
Develops and maintains the editorial calendar across press, newsletter, web and social channels.
Builds and maintains relationships with journalists; identifies and pitches story opportunities to secure coverage of IOP programs, speakers and Fellows.
Monitors, analyzes and reports on media coverage and communications metrics, and recommends adjustments to strategy.
Produces high-quality written content across formats, including newsletter and event copy, donor communications, board materials, talking points, and social media
Ensures a consistent institutional voice across platforms and audiences.
Drafts donor-facing materials, including appeals, impact reports,…