Director of Marketing and Communications - School of Public Health

Hiring Department: School of Public Health

Location: Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID: 1024088

Posting Close Date: April 1, 2024

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. 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). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. 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. UIC has nearly 260,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

Description:

Position Summary
The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) School of Public Health (SPH) is seeking a dynamic and innovative professional to fill the role of Director of Marketing and Communications. This position provides leadership and oversight for the development, implementation, and evaluation of a strategic communications, marketing, and public relations program that will strengthen the reputation, brand, and identity of the SPH in the state, region, and nation among its constituents. Potential targets for the communications and marketing activities include current and prospective students, faculty, staff, external partners, and the general public. This includes creating communication tools, mechanisms and strategies to enhance and increase student and faculty recruitment and public relations. Work closely with international, national, regional and local media, as well as campus and university Marketing and Public Relations staff to promote the School of Public Health's strengths in teaching, research, clinical practice, public service and economic development, while ensuring that privacy and disclosure laws affecting stakeholders are followed.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Formulate and develop a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy and plan, providing ongoing, consistent and coordinated communications support for recruitment and public relations.
• Work with the Marketing Associate to generate and oversee the SPH website and social media content, identifying strategies and best practices for increasing traffic and engaging targeted audiences.
• Coordinate, create, write and edit publications, web, social media and multimedia content, and marketing materials for student and faculty recruitment.
• Ensure quality and consistency of messages and appearance through a variety of channels including: e-communications, web strategies, social media and student and faculty recruitment materials.
• Oversee the development and distribution of the School’s premier annual print and electronic publication, Healthviews.
• Responsible for publicity and public relations to build brand recognition and increase student enrollment, and general public recognition and good will. Develop and coordinate principal media strategy and tactics.
• Review and analyze SEO and Google Analytics data to inform marketing strategy and present and distribute reports upon request.
• Develop new ideas and initiatives to recognize and promote the work of UIC SPH faculty, students and staff.
• Serve as the primary source of information on college accomplishments, awards and research activities. Identify and publicize events or activities that are newsworthy to key audiences, including current and prospective students, Illinois citizens, elected officials, visitors and international and national public health colleagues.
• Develop and maintain media relations. Work with campus units and researchers in planning news coverage of events so that external and internal publicity goals can be met. Host press conferences for events that require media coverage. Conduct and/or coordinate media training for SPH leadership and faculty.
• Research and publicize news supporting the SPH’s mission and teaching, research and practice objectives.
• Establish and maintain ongoing relationships with local, national, and international public health communication outlets, as well as faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners to identify and execute opportunities for reputation building.
• Serve as spokesperson for the SPH in collaboration with the Office of the Dean and the University's Office of University Communications.
• Serve as the college liaison with the Offices of Strategic Marketing and Communications and University Communications to ensure the coordination and consistency of messaging and content.
• Research advertising placement and rates and coordinate/create content. Research, coordinate and purchase web and media monitoring, research, and distribution services.
• Coordinate with city and county local health departments on major communication projects related to respective health atlases.
• Oversee and coordinate the relationships between the college and freelance and/or contractual writers, designers, photographers and other vendors as appropriate.
• Develop, implement, and regularly communicate clear policies, procedures, channels and best practices for disseminating content and executing marketing strategy.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, English, Political Science or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in communications, marketing, branding, public relations or a related field.
• Excellent journalistic writing, communication, presentation, organization and computer skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including: Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel, along with other related software such as Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and other design platforms. Proficiency in video conferencing software such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
• Knowledge of the various techniques for successfully disseminating information to the public and targeted audiences through various channels of communication including: print, website management, email and, social media.
• Demonstrated experience with social media management.
Experience in editing and analyzing the materials prepared by others to ensure they are consistent in communicating the organization's message.Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Experience with dynamic multimedia content production and editing techniques.
• Prior experience in a large complex higher education or health care organization.
• FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) training.
• Management of staff and leadership skills.

Application Process
Please upload a cover letter, resume and contact information for three references by the specified search close date.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

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