Description

Job Summary:

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (LAS) at the University of Illinois Chicago is seeking a full-time Director of Marketing and Communications. The Director of Marketing and Communications plans, implements, and assesses a comprehensive communication and integrated marketing strategy for LAS. This position will work with faculty and staff throughout the College and University on a full range of internal and external communications and marketing efforts that support LAS’s reputation, enrollment, alumni relations, advancement, faculty excellence, student development, and internal communications. The Director will oversee the development and execution of communication efforts using multiple media platforms (print, social media, web, email, video, etc.), monitoring the return on investment for each platform and representing the College in media and communication matters. The Director of Communication & Marketing reports to the Dean of LAS and collaborates closely with Strategic Marketing and Communications (SMC) and peers across campus. The ideal candidate values a collaborative approach, can motivate and influence their team as well as a wide array of communications stakeholders across the College and the campus, and understands the value of data-informed and analytical approaches to communications efforts.

About UIC

Located in one of the world’s greatest cities, the University of Illinois Chicago is Chicago’s largest university and only public research institution. Its 16 academic colleges serve nearly 34,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UIC is recognized as one of the most ethnically rich and culturally diverse campuses in the nation, a leader in providing access to underrepresented students. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).

Around 80% of undergraduates receive financial assistance. With one of the largest colleges of medicine in the nation, and colleges of dentistry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, social work, and applied health sciences, UIC is the state’s principal educator of health professionals and a major healthcare provider to underserved communities. UIC students become professionals in fields ranging from business and engineering to education, liberal arts and sciences, urban planning, law and social work, as well as architecture, design and the arts. UIC is an integral part of the educational, technological, and cultural fabric of Chicago.

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. The UIC campus is located just west of Chicago’s loop, integrated into historic residential neighborhoods and the urban environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, journalism, English, or a related liberal arts and sciences field required. A related master’s degree is preferred.
• At least five (5) years of progressive experience in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or a related field, with preference to such experience in an institution of higher learning (e.g., alumni relations, advancement, admissions, recruitment, and/or development) or a non-profit organization.
• Excellent writing, editing, presentation, organization, and computer/pc skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, customer relationship management (CRM) tools, and other related software and database applications.
• Solid understanding of traditional, digital, and social media communications and marketing concepts and principles, especially in the context of higher education, including knowledge of marketing research, data capture and analysis, digital media platforms, digital content and media buying.
• Solid understanding of web content management, web accessibility and search engine optimization, and comfort with trends and best practices for higher education digital communications strategies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Record of effective collaboration and leadership capability to manage and work effectively with a wide variety of people across multiple units.
• Experienced content producer, editor, and writer familiar with the range of content channels available to advance institutional communications and marketing strategies.
• Experience with both social media and graphic design.
• Record of effective development of ideas into measurable and metrics-driven branding campaigns designed to meet established goals.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others and assign, monitor and recommend staffing and resource allocation including in-sourcing and out-sourcing. Ability to develop and lead projects, including with contractors.
• Knowledge of and experience in higher education environments including supporting the unique mission and goals of a diverse, multi-cultural collaborative environment.

For fullest consideration applicants should complete the UIC employment application, submit cover letter, resume, 3 references, and writing sample by March 29, 2023 to view full job details and to apply please visit: https://uic.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/3368?c=uic

The University of Illinois at Chicago is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Offers of employment by the University of Illinois may be subject to approval by the University’s Board of Trustees. The University of Illinois may conduct background checks and other pre-employment assessments on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. Background Checks will be performed in compliance with state and federal law. As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility.

The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=4292&pageId=1411899

University of Illinois faculty, staff and students are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are not able to receive the vaccine for medical or religious reasons, you may seek approval for an exemption in accordance with applicable University processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, journalism, English, or a related liberal arts and sciences field required. A related master’s degree is preferred.
• At least five (5) years of progressive experience in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or a related field, with preference to such experience in an institution of higher learning (e.g., alumni relations, advancement, admissions, recruitment, and/or development) or a non-profit organization.
• Excellent writing, editing, presentation, organization, and computer/pc skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, customer relationship management (CRM) tools, and other related software and database applications.
• Solid understanding of traditional, digital, and social media communications and marketing concepts and principles, especially in the context of higher education, including knowledge of marketing research, data capture and analysis, digital media platforms, digital content and media buying.
• Solid understanding of web content management, web accessibility and search engine optimization, and comfort with trends and best practices for higher education digital communications strategies.