Civic Planning & Design Manager, Center for Racial and Disability Justice - Northwestern University (Chicago, IL)
Department: Law Instruction (Staff)
Salary/Grade: EXS/7
Target hiring range for this position will be between be $63,079 to $78,849 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.
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Job Summary
Northwestern Pritzker School of Law’s Center for Racial and Disability Justice (CRDJ) is a first-of-its kind center dedicated to promoting justice for people of color, disabled people, and individuals at the intersection of race and disability. The Civic Planning & Design Manager will contribute to CRDJ’s Imagining Sustainable Futures program, an initiative focused on exploring the intersections of racial and disability justice with the goal of fostering inclusive and equitable societies. We believe that sustainable futures are intrinsically linked to justice; thus, this program aims to envision and catalyze transformative changes that dismantle systemic barriers and promote a more just and accessible future for all.
At our Center, we prioritize the voices of individuals with lived experience in all our programs and initiatives. We view knowledge mobilization—which encompasses knowledge production, translation, and exchange—as an essential process for fostering meaningful and accessible engagement. The Civic Planning & Design Manager will be instrumental in developing and implementing our knowledge mobilization strategies, creating accessible deliverables informed by community insights, and ensuring they are rooted in racial and disability justice principles.
This dynamic role involves applying planning and design principles across various aspects of civic life. It also leverages knowledge mobilization to engage and center community members through digital marketing, social media, event coordination, and other communications. We are seeking a creative and innovative individual who will excel in this multifaceted position and contribute to our mission of promoting racial and disability justice.
Specific Responsibilities
Contribute to the Imagining Sustainable Futures program
Collaborate with the Director of Research & Policy to develop and implement initiatives that advance the creation of more just and equitable societies.
Spearhead projects that critically assess historical and current barriers in the built environment, including but not limited to urban planning decisions, civic developments, and design, while also driving transformative changes to overcome systemic obstacles and promote sustainability.
Align work with contemporary developments in Local, State, Federal, and International disability law and policy, covering areas such as sustainable development goals, disability data justice, emergency and disaster preparedness, climate justice, city design and planning, and other relevant areas.
Community engagement and outreach
Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with organizations and advocates dedicated to racial and disability justice.
Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to identify shared goals and enhance collaborative efforts.
Act as a liaison between the Center and various stakeholders, including government agencies, grassroots organizations, and community advocates.
Coordinate community engagement activities, ensuring diverse stakeholder voices contribute to program development.
Implement targeted outreach efforts to effectively engage underrepresented populations.
Knowledge mobilization and communication
Assist in developing and implementing the Center’s knowledge mobilization processes, including the creation, adaptation, and dissemination of information to promote effective and inclusive engagement.
Manage the creation and distribution of materials that align with the Center’s mission and goals, ensuring they are accessible and clearly communicate key messages.
Respond to public inquiries regarding racial and disability justice issues, effectively conveying the Center’s objectives and viewpoints.
Conceptualize and implement design strategies to enhance the Center’s visibility and impact both online and in-person.
Develop actionable resources, such as toolkits, to translate and share complex information in plain language and inclusive formats.
Digital marketing and social media management
Create and execute comprehensive social media strategies to promote the Center’s initiatives and enhance public engagement.
Monitor social media performance, providing insights and analytics for continuous improvement.
Event coordination
Collaborate with the Executive Director to plan and execute community events, workshops, and other educational programs ensuring all logistical details are managed effectively.
Work with relevant NU departments and external partners to guarantee successful outcomes for community-focused events.
Supervision and development
As funding increases, oversee the hiring and supervision of additional staff members to support outreach and engagement, knowledge mobilization, social media and marketing, and other areas.
Foster a collaborative team environment that encourages professional growth and development.
Integrate sustainable practices into CRDJ’s programs and projects.
Miscellaneous
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree in community development, urban or city planning, design, communications, marketing, sociology, or a relevant social science.
Minimum of five years of experience in planning, implementation, or administration of social service, public health, non-profit organization, or public service programs.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and Canva.
Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)
Strong understanding of racial and disability justice issues; human rights approaches in law and policy; and sustainable development goals.
Strong understanding of social media and proficiency in digital marketing, including SEO, search engine marketing, and email marketing.
Excellent communication, design, planning, and strategic skills, with experience working on multi-disciplinary and collaborative projects.
Preferred Qualifications
Proficiency in ArcGIS and other planning software programs is preferred.
Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)
Proficiency in accessible knowledge mobilization strategies.
Benefits
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.
Work-Life And Wellness
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.
Professional Growth & Development
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.
Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.
The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.
