What are the responsibilities and job description for the Communications Specialist position at Society of Actuaries Research Institute?
*This is a hybrid position based in our Chicago/O’Hare Area office. Preference is for candidates who live within a 100-mile radius of this office, but we are additionally open to candidates outside this region who offer the right skill set and experience.
Your Purpose:
The Communications Specialist is part of the Society of Actuaries (SOA) Marketing & Communications team, supporting communications to members, candidates, employers, partners, media, and the public. This role helps elevate the visibility of both the SOA and the actuarial profession, positioning the organization as a trusted thought leader while ensuring all messaging reflects the SOA’s mission, strategy, values, and voice.
Working collaboratively across departments, the Communications Specialist contributes to organization-wide initiatives, governance activities, and business unit goals. This position plays a key role in delivering high-impact communications, including strategic campaigns, major announcements, and internal engagement initiatives.
The ideal candidate is a skilled writer who can craft clear, engaging content tailored to diverse audiences and platforms. They are also a proactive, hands-on professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and takes initiative to turn ideas into compelling communications.
What You'll Do:
- Support organizational initiative communications and high-profile announcements for candidate and member engagement programs.
- Implement communications plans across channels and manage content generation and/or editing for assigned business units and departments to increase awareness, engagement and/or penetration of SOA programs and offerings; support implementation of meetings and events, including speeches, presentations, videos, marketing acquisition copy, etc.
- Support assigned stakeholder segment communications: members, candidates, employers, media/public; assist Communications Manager on internal efforts to execute press releases to reach target external audiences
- Develop content for regular member/candidate digital communications which requires coordination with subject-matter experts across the SOA, curating and publishing editorial content and working with the SOA Publication and Marketing teams.
- Provide support for governance-related activities, which may include Community elections; speech writing for SOA leadership, message development and training, presentations for presidential officers and Board members; post-board meeting highlights and report to stakeholders for website publication.
- Utilize new and existing multi-media channels – web, social media, email, video etc. effectively integrating and collaborating with Digital Marketing Specialist, Webworks, Creative Services, etc.
- Support and coordinate efforts with Creative Services to produce creative for projects such as video production, presentations, digital images, onsite social media, etc.
- Monitor and report on metrics and results to assess the effectiveness and impact of communications.
- Performs other related work as needed.
What You Will Need:
- Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, journalism or related marketing discipline.
- Minimum three (3) years of relevant experience in communications, public relations, media relations or journalism and in developing and executing integrated communications programs.
- Agency copywriting experience strongly preferred.
- Significant experience producing content across channels/mediums with strong digital content including email, website, social media, video, etc.
- Exceptional written communication and editing/proofreading skills
- Leverages AI-assisted tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Grammarly, or CoPilot) to generate, edit, and optimize written content for multiple platforms.
- Manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- High attention-to-detail and strong organizational skills
- Ability to digest complex information quickly and to develop clear communications on that information to various audiences.
- Knowledge of or ability to quickly develop an understanding of non-profit or association management orientation.
- Excellent communications and interpersonal skills to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with staff, volunteers and partners.
- Self-motivated go-getter with a positive attitude
- Exceptional time and project management and organizational skills, including the ability to meet external and internal deadlines.
- Awareness of media relations trends in the digital communications arena (media blogs, online publication formats, and social media).
- Ability to learn quickly, demonstrate critical thinking and make situation-appropriate decisions using sound judgment.
- Travel is required based on business needs. Estimated travel is 5% annually.
- This role does not require any supervisory responsibilities, but will require project coordination and collaboration with SOA departments and external actuarial organizations.
What We Offer:
- Competitive Compensation: We understand the value of your contributions, and we ensure that you are rewarded competitively for your skills and dedication.
- Generous Paid Time Off: Achieve a work-life balance with ample paid time off, giving you the flexibility you need for personal and family responsibilities.
- Professional Development: We invest in our team's growth. Take advantage of opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement, including tuition reimbursement and continuing education funding.
- Health and Wellness: Your well-being is important to us. Enjoy access to comprehensive health benefits, wellness programs, including our Employee Assistance program (EAP) and wellness reimbursement.
- Disability Coverage: Gain peace of mind with our comprehensive disability coverage, including life, short-term, and long-term disability benefits.
- Retirement Planning: Secure your future with our 403(b) plan and generous employer contribution.
- Maternal/Paternal Leave: Embrace parenthood with confidence, knowing that we've got you covered every step of the way. Our maternal/paternal leave policy is designed to give you the time you need to bond with your newest family member without worrying about work.
- Flexible Work Environment: Embrace a flexible hybrid environment that supports your productivity and work-life balance.
- Diversity and Inclusion: We celebrate diversity and foster an inclusive workplace where everyone's unique perspectives are valued.
The SOA will provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of actual or perceived race, color, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, disability (mental or physical), genetic information, military or veteran status, marital status, order of protection status, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other category protected by applicable law. Such action shall include but is not limited to: initial consideration for employment; job placement and assignment of responsibilities; performance evaluation; promotion and advancement; compensation and fringe benefits; training and professional development opportunities; formulation and application of human resource policies and rules; facility and service accessibility; and discipline and termination.
Salary : $65,000 - $78,000
