Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic communications plans and campaigns that advance the college’s priorities and reputation and engage internal and external audiences.
• Research, write, edit, and distribute news releases, feature stories, faculty and student profiles, web content, newsletters, email communications, publications, and other editorial content.
• Translate complex scientific and academic research into clear, accurate, and engaging content for non-specialist audiences while maintaining appropriate scholarly context and accuracy.
• Develop talking points, speeches, presentations, brochures, flyers, digital signage, campaign materials, and other communications.
• Acquire and maintain a detailed working knowledge of the college’s faculty research agenda, expertise, publications, awards, programs, and events.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with campus communicators, journalists, media outlets, and other external partners to increase visibility for college experts, research, and accomplishments.
• Monitor social media for comments, responses and emerging issues relevant to the college and proactively identify opportunities for expert commentary, media coverage, and strategic storytelling.
• Coordinate communications coverage for events and activities, including on-site reporting, photography, interviews, and real-time digital content.
• Provide communications counsel and editorial support to faculty, staff, leadership, and college units as appropriate.
• Lead the development and implementation of the college’s social media strategy, including editorial planning, content calendars, audience engagement, scheduling, publishing, and performance metrics across appropriate platforms in accordance with campus brand standards and MarCom goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, advertising, communications, or a related field.
• Two years (24 months) of professional work experience in communications, promotions, public relations, advertising, or event planning.
• Demonstrated experience in social media management.

Preferred

• Master's degree in journalism, management, marketing, advertising, business administration, communications, public relations, web design, business analytics, or related field.
• Experience using Asana, Microsoft Teams, Airtable, Zoom, Google Drive, and/or other project management/communications tools.
• Experience working at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or in a similar public university setting.
• Experience translating scientific research for a lay audience.

Benefits

• This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
• 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.