Communications and Key Initiatives Manager

About the Opportunity

Northeastern University’s Roux Institute in Portland Maine

The Roux Institute is one of 13 campuses within Northeastern University’s global university system. Its mission is to catalyze economic development throughout Maine and the surrounding region by helping people and organizations to develop technical and human competencies that help them to thrive and grow.

We do this work in partnership with others – with our accomplished faculty and staff and an exciting community of graduate-level learners and startup founders. And in close collaboration with more than 160 organizations.

The Roux itself is a special and important partnership between Barbara and David Roux, the Harold Alfond Foundation, and Northeastern University. Launched in January 2020 to build talent and drive innovation in Portland, Maine, we fulfill our mission by delivering graduate education aligned with the needs of industry; applied research in artificial intelligence, digital engineering, human-data

interaction, and advanced life sciences; and experiential entrepreneurship programming to help startup founders grow, launch, and sustain new businesses.

Northeastern University is a Global University System

Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experiential lifelong learning. Our approach of integrating real-world experience with education, research, and innovation empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create worldwide impact.

Our global university system provides our community and academic, government, and industry partners with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally. The system—which includes 13 campuses across the U.S., U.K., and Canada, 300,000+ alumni, and 3,000 partners worldwide—serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

Northeastern’s personalized, experiential undergraduate and graduate programs lead to degrees through the doctorate in 10 colleges and schools across our campuses. Learning emphasizes the intersection of data, technology, and human literacies, uniquely preparing graduates for careers of the future and lives of fulfillment and accomplishment.

Our research enterprise, with an R1 Carnegie classification, is solutions-oriented and spans the world. Our faculty scholars and students work in teams that cross not just disciplines, but also sectors—focused on solving highly interconnected global challenges and yielding transformative impact for humankind.

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the institute’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the Communications & Key Initiatives Manager (Manager) works closely with the CAO and the Managing Director for Strategy (MD) to execute integrated communication plans, steward key stakeholder relationships, and manage a diverse portfolio of cross-functional projects and initiatives.

The Manager supports and works with the CAO, MD, and other university leaders in various ways, including project management, research, and internal and external communications. The Manager coordinates and leads special projects, works with leaders and managers throughout the organization to communicate performance metrics and outcomes, and completes complex reports and analysis. The Manager also leads and influences strategic initiatives and progress relative to goals and communicates on behalf of the CAO and MD, working across the organization to drive progress and realize goals.  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and commensurate experience is required.

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships, influence stakeholders, and foster collaboration.

• Strong writing is essential to success

• Ability to thrive and lead in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and efficiently adapt to changing priorities and circumstances.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

Northeastern’s success in Maine and the evidence of our impact manifests through the accomplishments of graduates, learners, partners, and team members. To fulfill the Roux Institute’s mission, all members of the organization prioritize the following cross-functional areas of emphasis. Working closely with others to realize these important strategic objectives is core to the Manager’s responsibilities, leadership, and expected impact. 

• Integration of the institute’s learning, research, entrepreneurship, and partnership efforts to differentiate, fuel innovation and drive growth.
• Development of new audiences to yield enrollment, entrepreneurship, and revenue impact, enabled by new products and driven by new partnerships.
• Refined operational efficiency and talent development to strengthen our resiliency and build the most diverse, inclusive workforce in Maine.

Develop and execute integrated communication plans.

Develops and maintains internal communications channels including teamwide sites, emails, and team meetings and events. Designs and develops presentations, personal correspondence, and change management plans consistent with the responsibilities of the CAO’s and MD’s portfolios and commitments. 

Manage a portfolio of key projects and initiatives.

Both independently and when appropriate, collaboratively with others, the Manager leads and stewards of a portfolio of cross-functional projects and initiatives. Portfolio initiatives tend to be short-term, with tight deadlines and institution-wide visibility and impact. Thus, a team-oriented approach, sharp attention to detail, an ability to work decisively with pace, and consistent, clear stakeholder communication is essential.   

Key Stakeholder / Relationship Management

The Manager works collaboratively with the CAO and other members of the institute and university leadership teams to communicate with and involve key university stakeholders and partners. This work occurs at a distance and, often, during in-person engagements and events at the Portland, Maine campus.

Performance Tracking and Reporting

The Manager compiles, edits, and distributes weekly progress reports and works collaboratively with the CAO and other university leaders to develop quarterly impact and stewardship reports for key partners, university leaders, and other constituents. The Manager works with the CAO and other members of the institute’s leadership team to compile and distribute organizational data, key performance metrics, and various forecasts on a monthly basis. 

Position Type

Marketing and Communications

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.  

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.  

Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff.  Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion. 

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other  characteristic protected by applicable law.

To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity .