Communications Associate, Client Services & External Affairs - Hybrid Chicago Loop Office
JOB SUMMARY: NORC at the University of Chicago is seeking a Communications Associate to join the Client Services and External Affairs team within Strategic Communications. This role is ideal for someone who believes rigorous, independent research can help make the world a better place, and wants to help get that work into the right hands. This is a highly collaborative role that supports client-funded communications projects and corporate initiatives. You’ll partner closely with research and project teams and work day-to-day with colleagues across Digital, Editorial, Creative, and Events teams to keep projects on track, contribute to content development, and deliver external communications that are clear, timely, accessible, and aligned with NORC’s brand voice. Location: Hybrid role based in either our Chicago Loop or Washington, D.C. office, with a minimum of six days per month in the office. Travel: Limited, with occasional travel (for example, an annual team retreat). DEPARTMENT: Strategic Communications The Strategic Communications department drives NORC’s brand, reputation, and visibility across every channel and audience. The department brings together expertise in corporate communications, creative services, digital communications and marketing, internal communications, and project-level communications support. We manage NORC’s social media presence, email marketing, and website properties, and we partner with project teams on dissemination strategies that help NORC’s research reach the people who need it. NORC partners with government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world to inform the critical decisions facing society, and we ensure that work gets seen, understood, and used, both for our clients and for broader public impact. RESPONSIBILITIES: Reporting to the Senior Communications Manager, this role serves as a trusted project manager across client-funded work and strategic corporate initiatives such as product launches and public announcements. While the work supports billable projects, the position is not held to billability standards. Project manage client communications projects and corporate initiatives by leading intake, gathering requirements, contributing to dissemination plans, coordinating resources, and moving deliverables from kickoff through completion. Own project coordination and execution by using project management tools to track timelines, owners, and progress; run status updates; follow up on outstanding items; and keep documentation and team communication current and organized (typical responsiveness target is 1-2 business days). Draft and edit external-facing materials such as web copy, press releases, and client-ready collateral, translating research findings accurately and clearly for nontechnical audiences. Support external affairs by contributing to PR programs, maintaining and updating media lists, monitoring coverage, and compiling media reports. Coordinate internal and external resources by collaborating with internal partners and occasionally managing vendors, scheduling, deliverable tracking, and basic invoice support (training provided). Apply strong editorial judgment to ensure materials reflect NORC’s brand voice, accessibility best practices, and quality standards before review and release. Use AI tools thoughtfully and strategically to enhance writing and project planning, while maintaining human quality control and accountability. Contribute to measurement and reporting by tracking communications metrics and producing simple summaries to inform planning and improvements. Pitch in across the team as needed to support coordination, documentation, and administrative tasks that help ensure successful delivery of client projects and corporate initiatives. REQUIRED SKILLS: Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, English, or a related field, or equivalent experience. At least 3 years of relevant communications, PR, marketing, or agency experience (including internships). Demonstrated ability to coordinate and deliver projects across multiple stakeholders and teams, managing competing priorities and deadlines. Strong writing and editing skills, including the ability to draft communications plans. Excellent interpersonal skills, including clear, professional communication and a strong client-service mindset. Team-oriented approach and commitment to a collaborative work environment, both virtually and in person. High attention to detail, especially for accuracy, formatting consistency, and alignment with NORC’s visual brand and messaging standards. Proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint). Nice to have Experience in a project management platform (Wrike or similar). Familiarity with SharePoint and Microsoft Teams. Interest in and commitment to social science research and mission-driven work. Interest or experience in media monitoring, media list development, and coverage reporting tools (MuckRack or similar). Comfort using AI tools (such as ChatGPT or Claude) to support writing and planning, with strong editorial judgment. SALARY AND BENEFITS: The pay range for this position is $77,000 - $80,000. This position is classified as regular. Regular staff are eligible for NORC’s comprehensive benefits program. Benefits include, but are not limited to: Generously subsidized health insurance, effective on the first day of employment Dental and vision insurance A defined contribution retirement program, along with a separate voluntary 403(b) retirement program Group life insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance Benefits that promote work/life balance, including generous paid time off, holidays; paid parental leave, bereavement leave, tuition assistance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). NORC is committed to equity and transparency in its pay practices. We publish salary ranges and benefit information for every job. The listed hiring range reflects what we, in good faith, expect to pay at the time of posting, though actual compensation may vary and may be adjusted over time. A candidate’s placement within the range depends on factors such as competencies, education, qualifications, experience, skills, performance, and organizational needs. WHAT WE DO: NORC at the University of Chicago is an objective, non-partisan research institution that delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business, and policy decisions. Since 1941, our teams have conducted groundbreaking studies, created and applied innovative methods and tools, and advanced principles of scientific integrity and collaboration. Today, government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world partner with us to transform increasingly complex information into useful knowledge. WHO WE ARE: For over 80 years, NORC has evolved in many ways, moving the needle with research methods, technical applications and groundbreaking research findings. But our tradition of excellence, passion for innovation, and commitment to collegiality have remained constant components of who we are as a brand, and who each of us is as a member of the NORC team. With world-class benefits, a business casual environment, and an emphasis on continuous learning, NORC is a place where people join for the stellar research and analysis work for which we’re known, and stay for the relationships they form with their colleagues who take pride in the impact their work is making on a global scale. EEO STATEMENT: NORC is an equal opportunity employer. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, sexual orientation, and other legally protected characteristics. LI-MS1
