Communications Coordinator in Lemont, Illinois

Argonne National Laboratory is hiring a Communications Coordinator to support the lab’s Office of Community Engagement.

Argonne’s Office of Community Engagement (OCE) leads the laboratory in designing ​and implementing its community engagement strategy. OCE’s mission is to build trusted, collaborative, productive, and longstanding relationships with the region’s civic, community, and small business stakeholders to advance Argonne’s science and technology and broaden its economic impact.

We’re looking for a talented communicator who is passionate about science and technology, skilled at distilling complex information into clear and concise summaries and experienced in using communications tools and tactics to promote public engagement and impactful outreach. The successful candidate will collaborate with research and operational staff to develop and execute communications in support of the OCE. They will develop and execute a communications strategy for OCE covering communications with internal and external audiences. In their work, they will have the opportunity to create and reshape communications channels, enhance media relations, and build content across digital and traditional channels that highlight OCE’s impactful work and promote engagement with our stakeholders.

The Communications Coordinator will work with communications professionals from partner organizations such as civic agencies, nonprofits, chambers of commerce, academic institutions, and other national laboratories to maximize OCE’s impact and reach. They will also coordinate with their Argonne communications colleagues to ensure that OCE messaging is aligned with and supportive of laboratory leadership, scientists and staff.

The Communications Coordinator will be a member of a small team of communications professionals dedicated to the needs of the Science and Technology Partnerships and Outreach directorate, in which OCE sits. The Coordinator will focus 100% of their efforts on supporting the OCE.

As a member of the lab’s Communications and Public Affairs division, the Communications Coordinator will be able to leverage the expertise of teams of writers, designers, video producers, photographers, media relations professionals, web and social media experts, and events coordinators to support the work of OCE.

Primary Activities:

• Establish relationships with the Director of OCE and the other members of the four-person OCE team.

• Understand and support the work of OCE, including its key priorities, objectives, projects, sponsors and partners.

• Develop knowledge of the subject matter and trends applicable to OCE’s work and partnerships.

• Maintain working knowledge of Argonne’s science priorities and regularly share them with OCE’s external stakeholders.

• Plan, coordinate and execute original communications products related to OCE’s work.

• Write and publish a variety of communications, including news releases, an OCE e-newsletter, slide presentations, talking points for the Director, web copy, and stories for internal e-newsletters.

• Manage Argonne’s public lecture series, Argonne OutLoud, presenting four events per year.

• Serve as a representative of OCE on communications initiatives that touch other laboratory areas.

• Feed content into lab-wide channels and tracking systems.

• Ensure that communications products align with overall laboratory messaging and branding.

• Seek opportunities to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of Argonne communications.

• Serve as a member of the Argonne Crisis Response team, as needed.

• Report to the Head of Communications for the Science and Technology Partnerships and Outreach directorate, in which OCE sits, and support the implementation of an annual strategic communications plan for the directorate.

Position Requirements

• Demonstrated expertise in the delivery of clear and concise communication to external and internal audiences, using traditional and digital means of delivery.

• Broad-based integrated marketing communications experience across multiple areas: events, media relations, digital/social, branding, internal communications, crisis communication.

• Ability to write for a variety of formats, in varying levels of formality, with strategic attention to tone.

• Ability to develop compelling editorial content and conceptualize major elements of print, video or other creative products.

• Outstanding communications skills: written, verbal, interpersonal, relationship-building.

• Ability to translate scientific and technical content for both basic and sophisticated audiences, focusing on the impact of the work in real-world terms.

• Ability to deliver measurable results (increased awareness, higher client satisfaction, increased engagement, etc.).

• Client-service mindset; able to take in and clarify objectives and goals of OCE leadership and researchers with whom OCE engages.

• Ability to navigate across the laboratory.

• Strong teaming and collaboration skills.

• Deadline driven, highly responsive.

• Highly organized with strong attention to detail.

• Flexible and adaptable with highly fluid situations.

• Strong expertise in Microsoft suite including Word, PowerPoint, Excel.

• Able to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.

• Bachelor’s degree and four years of relevant experience, or equivalent.

Along with your resume and cover letter, please upload two (2) writing samples relevant to this role to complete your application

Job Family

Professional Administrative (PA)

Job Profile

Communications/Marketing 3

Worker Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time

The expected hiring range for this position is $73,793.00 – $116,445.42.

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

Click here (https://www.anl.gov/hr/healthcare-insurance) to view Argonne employee benefits!

As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne’s Legal Department.

All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.