Senior Communications Specialist

RAPID MANUFACTURING INSTITUTE

On December 9, 2016, the Department of Energy announced the establishment of the 10th institute in the federal government’s “Manufacturing USA” program.  This institute is building a community of partners that will research, develop and broadly commercialize new technology in modular chemical process intensification, providing dramatic reductions in capital and operating cost and enhancements in energy efficiency and environmental benefits.  Leveraging up to $70 million in federal funding and an additional $70 million in costshare commitments from over 130 partners, the Rapid Advancement in Process Intensification Deployment (RAPID) Institute will focus on developing breakthrough technologies to boost energy productivity and energy efficiency by 20 percent in five years through technology innovations introduced into manufacturing processes in industries such as chemicals, oil and gas, and pulp and paper. 

About AIChE:  AIChE is a professional society of more than 53,000 chemical engineers in 110 countries. Its members work in corporations, universities and government, using their knowledge of chemical processes to develop safe and useful products for the benefit of society. Through its varied programs, AIChE continues to be a focal point for information exchange on the frontiers of chemical engineering research in such areas as energy, sustainability, biological and environmental engineering, nanotechnology, and chemical plant safety and security. AIChE was selected by DOE to establish the RAPID Manufacturing Institute.  More information about AIChE is available at www.aiche.org.

Responsibilities:

•      Develop a strategic, comprehensive communications & branding plan for the RAPID Institute.  

•      Create an “operating plan” that converts the strategic plan into action.

•      Act as the owner of our website.  Understand the key stakeholders we are trying to reach and build/refresh content on the website regularly.  Use third parties as needed to develop/upgrade website.

•      Act as brand manager for “RAPID”.  Ensure we are building brand equity with everything we do across the entire Institute – logo, document formats, press releases, website, CEO & CTO speeches, etc.

•      Seek opportunities to put RAPID in the spotlight.   Use all forms of communications, including press releases, news alerts, social media, etc.

•      Identify your counterparts at the other Manufacturing Institutes.  Follow what they’re doing and bring

“best practices” into RAPID’s work.

•      Be a key partner with our CTO in showcasing our partners and their work.  Draft/edit success stories.  Create a repository of media we can leverage (photos, videos, etc.) 

•      Work with DOE to identify opportunities for major events that give RAPID good exposure.  For example, a visit from the Secretary of Energy to one of our partner locations. 

•      Be the point person between RAPID and AIChE – so that we coordinate and leverage the most we can in the area of communications and website/social media.

•      Work closely with AIChE’s communication specialist, marketing director, and manager of content and community to ensure cohesion of message and branding.

•      Work with the Director of Membership & Outreach to survey our members annually to gauge their satisfaction with RAPID & what we can do differently and/or how we can better service them.

Education/Qualifications:

•      Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Marketing or Communications required

•      4-6 years of relevant work experience

•      Excellent written and communication skills; ability to digest and distill complex subjects into clear messages; strong editing abilities

•      Experience with web contented management systems, web/image editing, community platforms and database systems. Familiarity with HTML preferred

•      Proven capacity to listen actively and synthesize multiple pieces of disparate information into a coherent vision that aligns with the Institute’s strategy

•      Must possess excellent organizational, planning and presentation skills

•      Superior project management and time management skills; strong attention to details

•      Strong knowledge and understanding of current trends in digital and media/social media

•      Must be able to manage multiple priorities with competing deadlines

•      Must be able to work independently or as part of a team

•      Demonstrated experience working successfully within a highly collaborative and collegial organization

•      Must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office products

Interested candidates may email their resume and cover letter to [email protected]. 

All candidates must submit writing samples, including a press release. Please note the title of the position in the subject line of the email. Learn more about RAPID at https://www.aiche.org/RAPID.

The American Institute of Chemical Engineers is an Equal Opportunity Employer.