Communications Professional

Job Summary:

The Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome (www.crnicinstitute.org) is the largest academic home for Down syndrome research. The Crnic Institute collaborates with prominent scientists and leaders around the globe to enable precision medicine approaches to improve health outcomes in Down syndrome. The Crnic Institute is seeking a detail-oriented, highly motivated, and enthusiastic full-time Business Services Professional to work as a member of our administrative team with a focus on supporting the DS-Connect: The Down Syndrome Registry project.

This position will mainly focus on Outreach and Communication activities such as traveling and networking to several community events throughout the year, assisting with email campaigns and website updates, as well as executing general administrative tasks like expense and travel reports and purchasing.

Key Responsibilities:

Communications and Outreach (75%)

• Manage and Execute the DS-Connect Email Campaign

  • Organize information and create regular emails for Research Round Ups, Research Updates, Event Updates, and other email efforts

  • Maintain and update distribution lists for email and other forms of communication, including internal and external teams and the DS-Connect community

  • Collaborate with the Linda Crnic Institute Communications team in developing email campaign concepts and stories

  • Assist in the development of targeted emails to our research participants

  • Assist in the development of Birthday, New Survey, and other emails

• Assist the DS-Connect Project Manager in managing the General DS-Connect inbox

• Update website content, including publishing updates to news and events and developing new content to reach, educate, and engage audiences

• Work within established branding standards for DS-Connect, Crnic Institute and the University of Colorado

• Help to ensure successful representation of departmental brands across media, through knowledge of brand standards, design templates, and systems architecture

• Manage own project workflow while coordinating with project teams and management on schedules, assignments, requirements, and goals as needed

• Assist the Communications team in managing DS-Connect Social Media Channels

  • Take photos at each attended event and create content

  • Engage and interact with the social media community

  • Outreach to established Down syndrome groups and share information about DS-Connect

• Work closely with the DS-Connect Project Manager to manage the DS-Connect Events Calendar, ensuring that the DS-Connect team is attending all required events, as well as outreach to other organizations and events

  • 10 Get DS-Connected Workshops, 6 Buddy Walks, 6 Conferences, 4 Webinars

  • Plan and prepare travel and logistics for DS-Connect Outreach Activities

    • Register for events

    • Book travel

    • Coordinate event planning and logistics

    • Maintain DS-Connect Conference and Booth materials and shipment of materials to events

  • Attend the majority of the DS-Connect events

    • Manage exhibitor booths

    • Present at conferences

  • Oversee all Communications tasks regarding events, including social media and email campaigns pre-, during, and post-event

• Work closely with the DS-Connect Project Manager to create DS-Connect partnerships with other community organizations

General Administration (25%)

• Order and maintain recruitment materials

• Purchase items for DS-Connect Project

• Submit monthly expense reports with DS-Connect purchases

• Submit travel reports regarding DS-Connect Travel

• Support DS-Connect Admin Assistant with Down syndrome in her communications job duties

• Work with the DS-Connect Project Manager for all activities of the Research Review Committee (RRC)

  • Organize all application materials, distribute to RRC members, provide and collect review forms

  • Organize and attend meetings of the RRC to discuss the reviews as needed and communicate outcomes of the application

  • Work with external researchers to post their study on the DS-Connect Study Page

  • Oversee RRC member commitments and assist with the transition to new members

Work Location:

Hybrid - this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of two (2) days per week on campus and as needed for in-person meetings.

Why Join Us:

The Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome is the largest academic home for Down syndrome research. The Crnic Institute collaborates with prominent scientists and leaders around the globe to enable precision medicine approaches to improve health outcomes in Down syndrome. Learn more at: https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/linda-crnic-institute

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation, and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options

• Dental: Multiple plan options

• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision

• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay

• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year

• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)

• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)

• Holiday Days: 15/year

• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses

• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in education, psychology, business, public administration, health care, educational technology, social science, liberal arts, communications, accounting, finance, library science, or a directly related field from an accredited institution

  • Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/military/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for a bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis

• One (1) year of professional experience with event planning and general communications/social media

  • Substitution: An advanced degree (Masters or Doctorate) may be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis if the degree is in a field of study directly related to the work assignment

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with event planning and travel coordination

• Experience working with individuals with Down syndrome

• Experience with Outreach activities such as attending exhibitor booths, presenting to the community

Conditions of Employment:

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship. We are unable to provide work visa sponsorship or employment authorization for this position now or in the future.

• This position must be willing to travel several times throughout the year

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and manage multiple competing tasks

• Proficiency with Microsoft applications (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel), Google, Canva, Constant Contact, and other related programs

• Proficiency with photography and social media

• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution

• Outstanding customer service skills

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position

2. Curriculum vitae / Resume

3. Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Questions should be directed to: Sydney Ashton, sydney.ashton@cuanschutz.edu

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until the position is filled. For best consideration, apply by November 25, 2026.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as $50,185 to $63,835.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@cuanschutz.edu.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students, and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety-sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.