Gagen MacDonald, Multiple, On-site, Early career Andrew DeZarn Gagen MacDonald, Multiple, On-site, Early career Andrew DeZarn

Marketing Specialist

  • Implements multi-channel marketing tactics, managing CRM data, creating engaging social media content, and supporting webinars and podcasts

  • Analyzes campaign performance, optimizes lead generation, and maintains the marketing calendar, ensuring all projects align with expectations

  • Collaborates with cross-functional teams to drive customer engagement and deliver measurable results, staying current with trends to enhance marketing


About the Company

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Chicago, Gagen MacDonald is a wholly owned subsidiary of APCO, a global advisory and advocacy communications consultancy. We are a woman-owned, people-focused transformation consulting firm and trusted partner to the C-suite. We are dedicated to accelerating human-centered transformation and enhancing business performance by connecting strategy, structure and culture to purpose, brand and reputation.

For more than 25 years, we have been working with organizations to navigate the human struggle of change. Working from the inside out, we change the employee experience through culture, communication, leadership and design. We are always seeking to meet curious, catalytic learners who are excited by the unknown and passionate about the role large companies can play in shaping a better world.

About the Job

The Marketing Specialist will be responsible for supporting a wide range of marketing initiatives across CRM management, content creation, social media, events and podcasts. You will be comfortable setting up, maintaining, and optimizing marketing activities across a variety of channels. The ideal candidate will assist in supporting all aspects of marketing tactics and campaign execution.

You will be an essential part of a dynamic marketing team, assisting with initiatives that engage customers and deliver measurable results. This role is designed for an individual who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and has a passion for driving marketing success. Reports to Director of Marketing. The role will be located in Chicago, New York or Washington, D.C.

Responsibilities

  • CRM Support:

    • Support HubSpot database management to ensure data hygiene including maintaining tiered contact lists, segmenting audiences and ensuring high deliverability for email campaigns

    • Set up and support management of campaigns across HubSpot and Bitly, creating tracking UTM links to measure and optimize performance across multiple channels

    • Create and implement forms on website and landing pages to drive lead generation

    • Create A/B testing and nurture campaigns to continuously improve engagement

    • Measure, analyze and report on the performance of marketing campaigns, tracking key metrics and aligning results with business objectives

    • Build and optimize landing pages for webinar and roundtable events

  • Content Creation:

    • Assist in the creation of short-form content for social media, email campaigns and blog posts, ensuring alignment with brand voice and goals

    • Convert long-form content into concise, digestible snippets tailored to various audiences to maximize engagement across platforms

    • Write compelling blog posts to expand the company’s thought leadership

  • Marketing Support:

    • Maintain the annual marketing calendar, ensuring all initiatives are planned and executed on schedule

    • Establish and maintain an organized and well-communicated schedule for all initiatives

    • Provide ongoing project management support, as needed

    • Stay up to date with industry trends and emerging technologies to inform innovative strategies and tactics

    • Ensure all marketing projects meet internal expectations with respect to quality, budget, and timelines

  • Social Media Support:

    • Develop and maintain a social media calendar that aligns with editorial calendar and overall marketing strategy

    • Propose engaging social media topics and collaborate with marketing team members topics to post

    • Manage and implement paid social media campaigns, promoting select posts to boost engagement and reach

  • Events Support:

    • Collaborate with business development team to support planning for webinar or roundtable events

    • Set up, test and deploy webinars and roundtables, coordinating logistics, content and technology to ensure seamless execution

    • Lead the promotion of webinars and roundtables including email invitations, creating and managing registration pages, sending follow-up emails, providing the playback, and sending thank you messages

    • Host live webinars, engage with attendees via chat or Q&A, and monitor attendance to ensure a smooth experience

    • Oversee post-webinar lead nurturing, ensuring integration with Hubspot to track and engage leads

  • Podcast Project Management:

    • Project manage the end-to-end production of podcasts, serving as the primary point of contact with the podcast production agency

    • Identify, research and secure podcast guest speakers, coordinating scheduling and preparing background information for interviews

    • Review and approve social media posts and promotional snippets created by the production agency to ensure consistency with brand voice and goals for use in promotion

    • Promote podcasts on the company website, YouTube and LinkedIn to maximize reach and engagement

Qualifications

  • HubSpot experience required

  • Bachelor's degree in marketing, advertising, journalism or a related field; advanced degree a plus

  • 2-4 years' experience in marketing

  • Excellent verbal communication skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams to maintain consistent messaging and alignment with organizational goals

  • Ability to manage multiple priorities

  • Knowledge of social media platforms and trends

  • Excellent verbal communication skills

  • Strong writing skills, especially the ability to articulate complex situations or topics simply and in an engaging style

  • Work well in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines and occasional last-minute requests

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UChicago, Chicago, Hybrid, Director & above Andrew DeZarn UChicago, Chicago, Hybrid, Director & above Andrew DeZarn

MD, Policy & Engagement

  • Leads the Institute's efforts to engage with external stakeholders, including policymakers and thought leaders, advancing its national and global visibility

  • Cultivates relationships with leaders in government, NGOs, and the private sector, fostering collaboration and exploring new partnerships

  • Involves ensuring that faculty research reaches diverse audiences through direct engagement, media appearances, and sophisticated Comms strategies


About the Company

For more than 125 years, the University of Chicago has forged its own path. This has led to new schools of thought and a transformative education for students, and laid the groundwork for breakthroughs across the sciences, medicine, economics, law, business, history, culture, the arts, and humanistic inquiry.

The University of Chicago Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth (ICSG) is a groundbreaking effort uniting faculty from across the university to advance society’s understanding of our energy and climate future. The Institute combines faculty insights in energy markets and policy, climate systems engineering, and energy technology to produce world-changing ideas while also investing in the next generation of energy and climate thinkers, leaders, and innovators through novel educational programs.

About the Job

The Managing Director of Policy and Strategic Engagement is a key member of the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth’s leadership team. In coordination with Institute leadership and with the support of a highly talented communications, development, programming, and events staff, the Managing Director leads the Institute’s efforts to engage and build relationships with key external stakeholders, including policymakers, practitioners, and thought leaders globally. In coordination with Institute leadership, the Managing Director also works to coordinate and communicate Institute programming, resources, and other news with the University of Chicago academic community, alumni, and University leadership.

This individual will help to advance the Institute’s national and global visibility, reputation, and prestige by leading policy and strategic engagement in support of the Institute's core initiatives and priorities. The Managing Director engages leaders and supporters around the world who can benefit from the research discoveries and intellectual capital being developed at the Institute. Working with the Senior Director of Communications, the Managing Director is responsible for ensuring that faculty research impacts a variety of external audiences through direct engagement, communications, programming and events, and other sophisticated communication vehicles.

Responsibilities

  • Works as part of the Institute leadership team on overall strategy, goals, and vision for the Institute

  • Represents the Institute in a variety of national and international settings, by attending meetings and events, presenting about the Institute and its research, and speaking on the record with media

  • Builds and maintains relationships with US and global leaders and influencers and their staffs, including within governments, NGOs, foundations, the media, and the private sector for the purposes of sharing the research and exploring new partnerships and programming

  • Works with event and program staff to design programs that advance the Institute’s strategic priorities in the US and globally

  • Creates and builds opportunities for the Institute to routinely engage with US and global policymakers and policy-relevant institutions. This includes, but not limited to, meeting with Capitol Hill and administration officials, facilitating briefings, visits and roundtables, and participating in editorial board meetings

  • Manages a robust and diverse fellows program at the Institute by recruiting high-profile opinion leaders and influencers from a range of sectors and facilitating strategic and high-value activities for them to engage in during their tenure

  • Works with the Senior Director of Communications to plan and organize media coverage for high-profile events and responds to requests on sensitive or controversial issues

  • Proactively engages in the 'news of the day' by framing research in the context of current events through media interviews, opinion pieces, and personal social media channels

  • Oversees the teams responsible for writing, preparing, and/or delivery of information from or about the unit. Accountable for setting and achieving the unit's goals and strategy in policy and strategic engagement

  • Leads highly talented and effective communications and events teams at the Institute

  • Provides administrative and programmatic direction and coordination in the formulation, interpretation and administration of the University's strategic planning and related Unit objectives and subsequent short and long term policies, procedures and program plans

  • Provides regular reports to executive management on all projects and strategic initiatives. Ensures that appropriate project documentation is maintained in order to meet organizational needs and all applicable requirements

  • Performs other related work as needed

Qualifications

  • Minimum Qualifications:

    • Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field

    • Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 10+ years of work experience in a related job discipline

  • Preferred Qualifications:

    • Bachelor's degree in public policy or any related field; an advanced degree is a plus

    • 10-15 years working in an energy, climate change policy or communications environment in a leadership role

    • Significant management experience

    • Demonstrated experience working directly with researchers, preferably in an academic setting

    • Collaborating with governments, public and private institutions, and the private sector and navigating international geopolitics and processes

    • Demonstrated ability to influence a diverse group of people to meet goals and deadlines, build and manage teams, and work collaboratively with senior leadership

    • Demonstrated ability to develop relationships with multiple stakeholders

    • Understand complex research and identify the best way to communicate said research to a variety of different audiences

    • Comfort and experience working with members of the media

    • Handle multiple tasks and assignments simultaneously

    • Creativity and think outside-the-box

    • Excellent oral and written communication skills

    • Strong interpersonal and leadership skills

    • Problem-solving skills

    • Work independently with a high degree of initiative

    • Work as a member of a team

    • Attention to detail with excellent organizational skills

    • Set priorities and meet deadlines

    • Superior degree of professionalism

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UChicago, Chicago, On-site, Early career Andrew DeZarn UChicago, Chicago, On-site, Early career Andrew DeZarn

Finance Administrator

  • Acts as the primary financial liaison for assigned departments and initiatives, overseeing budget development and providing financial support

  • Responsibilities include driving the development of financial data analytics & reporting, establishing metrics, and contributing to financial goals

  • Coordinates reporting, manages expenditures, tracks faculty funds, oversees international fund transfers, and assists with grant management and contract review


About the Company

For more than 125 years, the University of Chicago has forged its own path. This has led to new schools of thought and a transformative education for students, and laid the groundwork for breakthroughs across the sciences, medicine, economics, law, business, history, culture, the arts, and humanistic inquiry.

The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth leverages the University’s unique legacy and resources to balance the risks of a changing climate with the essential need for human progress. It does so by combining frontier research in economics and climate policy, and key energy and climate technologies, with a pioneering approach to education that provides a 360-degree understanding of the climate and growth challenge. The Institute also seeds interdisciplinary research that explores new topics in this ever-evolving field and deploys practical, effective solutions in countries central to this challenge.

About the Job

The Finance Administrator will act as the primary financial and analytical liaison for assigned departments and initiatives, overseeing budget development and providing comprehensive financial management support. This role will drive the development and integration of unit-specific financial data analytics and reporting, focusing on establishing standardized metrics and methodologies to evaluate both University-wide and department-level financial performance. Additionally, the Finance Administrator will contribute to the formulation of long- and short-term financial goals, business strategies, and financial forecasts. The role involves coordinating quarterly and year-end reporting for the operating budget, leveraging a solid understanding of financial principles.

Responsibilities

  • Analyzes, reviews, and tracks comprehensive financial activities for the Climate and Energy (CEI), Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), Climate Systems Engineering Initiative (CSEi), the Energy and Environment Lab (E&E Lab) and the various programs/initiatives, primarily in the areas of finance, auditing, budgeting and forecasting, purchasing, and other operational-related financial activities

  • Plans, develops, and manages budgets, including developing multi-year budget forecasts

  • Oversees the review, approval, and reporting of all expenditure goods and services, and costing allocations

  • Monitors and reconciles actual expenditures and revenue against budget and prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual variance reports for the Finance Manager and leadership. Works closely with departments to understand variances and develop recommendations for programmatic changes or cost containment strategies to avoid deficits

  • Reviews financial reports for consistency and accuracy. Flags potential errors to be investigated and corrected. Prepares and submits account corrections as necessary, including both payroll and non-payroll

  • Oversees and tracks multi-year faculty fund support packages. Provides faculty periodic reports of spend and available balance

  • Works in close partnership with UChicago Global and UC Trust to oversee, process, and manage transfer of funds for international programmatic activities

  • Prepares and submits financial transactions through the University systems in Oracle and Concur

  • Assists staff with the GEMS system and runs reports to ensure that transactions are reconciled at regular intervals

  • Builds and maintains complex financial models using Excel and other analysis and reporting tools and systems as necessary

  • Assists and prepares various presentations/trainings to convey financial and administrative matters to leadership and members of the assigned departments

  • Coordinates and manages Calls for Proposals and awarding of internal grant funds to faculty. Assists faculty and staff with review and execution of contracts and data use agreements; works to understand needs, assesses contract suitability to meeting those needs, and negotiates with vendors to ensure contracts comply with university standards and guidelines

  • Assists the Finance Manager to develop and implement metrics and methodologies toolkits for evaluating financial performance for both the unit overall and specific assigned departments

  • Assists the Finance Manager in the annual budget process such as preparing departmental budget packets and inputting budgets into Oracle Planning Module, UCPlan

  • Helps to develop and maintain a Financial Administration manual for staff with relevant University policies and procedures

  • Assists with various payment processing in Oracle and may work with other team members on the procurement process

  • Liaise as necessary with staff and Financial Services

  • Acts as a primary account administrator for account owners in an intensive customer service environment

  • Routinely prepares budgets, creates accounts, and works with the financial accounting system to allocate, authorize, monitor, and control expenses

  • Helps to prepare monthly reports, conducts and correct errors in accounts using existing procedures that are in place, and provides advice on the financial impact of human resources and academic affairs decisions

  • Performs other related work as needed

Qualifications

  • Minimum Qualifications:

    • Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field

    • Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline

  • Preferred Qualifications:

    • Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or related field

    • Knowledge of financial computing and database software application

    • Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

    • Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, which includes usage of pivot tables, v-lookups, macros, and formatting

    • Knowledge of various financial principles, practices, and applications including budgeting, financial planning, and financial reporting

    • Background with accounting systems and budget systems

    • Outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills. Detail-oriented and prioritize and complete multiple concurrent projects

    • Demonstrates capacity to work independently in an organized detailed manner while maintaining a collaborative team environment

    • Exercise sound judgment and absolute discretion regarding confidential matters with tact

    • Excellent verbal and written communication skills

    • Demonstrated time management ability to deliver high-integrity products within established deadlines

    • Personable, professional, and consultative work style

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UChicago, Chicago, On-site, Advanced Andrew DeZarn UChicago, Chicago, On-site, Advanced Andrew DeZarn

AD, Programs & Partnerships

  • This Associate Director role shapes and expands the Institute's energy and climate education programs and partnerships, both internally and externally

  • The successful candidate will design, implement, and manage co-curricular programs, develop innovative educational initiatives, and cultivate partnerships

  • Responsibilities include collaborating with faculty and staff, managing program budgets and timelines, overseeing staff, and serving as a student resource


About the Company

For more than 125 years, the University of Chicago has forged its own path. This has led to new schools of thought and a transformative education for students, and laid the groundwork for breakthroughs across the sciences, medicine, economics, law, business, history, culture, the arts, and humanistic inquiry.

The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth leverages the University’s unique legacy and resources to balance the risks of a changing climate with the essential need for human progress. It does so by combining frontier research in economics and climate policy, and key energy and climate technologies, with a pioneering approach to education that provides a 360-degree understanding of the climate and growth challenge. The Institute also seeds interdisciplinary research that explores new topics in this ever-evolving field and deploys practical, effective solutions in countries central to this challenge.

About the Job

The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth is seeking a dynamic and motivated individual to serve as the Associate Director of Programs and Partnerships for our Education Programs. This newly created role represents an exciting opportunity to shape and expand the Institute’s educational and co-curricular offerings in the fields of energy and climate. The successful candidate will bring subject matter expertise, a creative and entrepreneurial mindset, and a passion for program development and student engagement.

Responsibilities

  • Develops educational programs and partnerships related to energy and climate change, both internally at the University of Chicago and externally, to create unique student experiences and build the brand of the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth

  • Designs, implements, and manages co-curricular programs related to energy and climate, ensuring alignment with the Institute’s strategic goals

  • Develops innovative educational initiatives to enhance student learning and engagement in energy and climate topics

  • Identifies, cultivates, and maintains partnerships with external organizations, academic institutions, and industry stakeholders to enhance the Institute’s educational offerings

  • Collaborates with faculty, staff, and internal University of Chicago partners to create opportunities for students to engage in experiential learning and professional development

  • Contributes to the planning and execution of broader Institute educational programming, including workshops, speaker series, and collaborative projects

  • Manages budgets, timelines, and deliverables for assigned programs

  • Serves as a resource for students, providing guidance and support related to educational opportunities and career pathways in energy and climate

  • Monitors and evaluates program outcomes, providing regular updates and recommendations to leadership

  • Oversees professional staff in the Institute’s educational programs and partnerships group

  • Uses in-depth knowledge and experience to administer the delivery of services to program participants and/or beneficiaries such as communicating with programs sponsors and academic advising for undergraduate students

  • Develops and communicates program priorities and performance standards and assesses operations using these criteria. Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate

  • Has a deep understanding when interacting with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information

  • Performs other related work as needed

Qualifications

  • Minimum Qualifications:

    • Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field

    • Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline

  • Preferred Qualifications:

    • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as environmental studies, energy policy, sustainability, public policy, or related disciplines

    • Master’s degree in a relevant field such as environmental studies, energy policy, sustainability, public policy, or related disciplines

    • Professional experience in program development, project management, or a related role in the fields of energy, climate change and public policy

    • Working in higher education or with student programs is a plus

    • Demonstrated subject matter knowledge of energy and climate issues, and translate complex concepts into engaging educational programming

    • Strong organizational skills and manage multiple projects simultaneously

    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience engaging diverse audiences

    • Proven ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders

    • Familiarity with global energy and climate events, such as COP conferences or CERAWeek is a plus

    • Demonstrated ability to design and implement creative and impactful programs

    • Highly motivated, proactive, and results-oriented with a strong sense of initiative

    • Work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders to achieve shared goals

    • Comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with evolving priorities

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UChicago, Chicago, On-site, Early career Andrew DeZarn UChicago, Chicago, On-site, Early career Andrew DeZarn

Operations Manager

  • The Operations Manager optimizes operational efficiency, enhances staff and visitor experiences, and maintains resources across the Institute's locations

  • Responsibilities include overseeing operational workflows, managing office space and renovations, and coordinating equipment procurement

  • This key leadership team member also develops operational procedures, ensures facility functionality, manages IT needs, and assists with budget monitoring


About the Company

For more than 125 years, the University of Chicago has forged its own path. This has led to new schools of thought and a transformative education for students, and laid the groundwork for breakthroughs across the sciences, medicine, economics, law, business, history, culture, the arts, and humanistic inquiry.

The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth leverages the University’s unique legacy and resources to balance the risks of a changing climate with the essential need for human progress. It does so by combining frontier research in economics and climate policy, and key energy and climate technologies, with a pioneering approach to education that provides a 360-degree understanding of the climate and growth challenge. The Institute also seeds interdisciplinary research that explores new topics in this ever-evolving field and deploys practical, effective solutions in countries central to this challenge.

About the Job

The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth is seeking an Operations Manager to drive the execution of critical operational functions and ensure seamless day-to-day activities across the institute. This role oversees all operational workflows, manages physical office space utilization, and coordinates procurement of specialized equipment and supplies to meet the needs of ICSG staff. Serving as a key member of the Institute’s leadership team, the Operations Manager will play a pivotal role in optimizing operational efficiency, enhancing staff and visitor experiences, and maintaining resources across the Institute’s locations. Reporting to the Director of Finance and Operations, this individual will deliver high-quality service coordination and ensure the smooth operation of the Institutes’ facilities and services.

Responsibilities

  • Independently performs high-level operational duties in support of the Institute’s functions, including support for all departments, programs, and initiatives

  • Oversees renovation projects across multiple spaces, managing timelines, budgets, and coordination with contractors and stakeholders to ensure successful project completion

  • Makes recommendations to leadership (Faculty & Executive Director) on space allocations

  • Oversees office functions by developing and implementing efficient operational procedures and policies to support organizational goals for the Institute’s many spaces

  • Ensures optimal functionality and cleanliness of facilities within the Institute’s portfolio by conducting routine inspections, coordinating maintenance and repairs, managing work orders and custodial services, and submitting capital project requests as needed

  • Oversees allocation and management of all workspaces and storage spaces: tracks access, use, and availability of offices used by short-term visitors, fellows, researchers, and staff; oversees contractors on improvements or changes to office spaces; and acts as the first point of contact for visitors with requests related to offices and building access

  • Determines the legitimacy of access and manages facility access via CBORD, keys, and short-term access cards. Observes and reports any security issues or irregularities in and around facilities in the Institute’s portfolio

  • Receives requests for facilities services and supervises delivery of appropriate services. Oversees telephone services, email correspondence, and mail distribution

  • In coordination with the Human Resources Manager, coordinates IT equipment for new hires and assists with the general onboarding as needed, as well as off-boarding of staff and visitors

  • Works with Social Services Computing Systems (SSCS) and Central IT Services to update machines and add new employees into the system. Maintains printers/copy machines and tracks equipment

  • Provides coverage during coverage gaps due to absence, leaves of absence, vacancies, etc.

  • Responsible for training office staff on office procedures and compliance protocols. Coordinates special projects

  • Assists in the monitoring of the various financial and budgetary activities, including vendors contracts. Preparing and monitoring the budget for a unit

  • Researches and analyzes data to create reports, and may create other reports for grants and contracts

  • Performs other related work as needed

Qualifications

  • Minimum Qualifications:

    • Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field

    • Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline

  • Preferred Qualifications:

    • Bachelor’s degree in business or related field

    • Knowledge of procurement, finance, and HR systems

    • Possess a passion for making organizations and teamwork

    • Self-starter with high level of attention to detail

    • Strong written, interpersonal, and verbal communication skills

    • Manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines

    • Excellent organizational skills

    • Interest in overall employee experience and positively impact that experience

    • Work both independently and as a team member

    • Superior degree of professionalism

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