Director of College Communications, Associate Dean of the College
The University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Posted in Education and Training


This job has expired.

Job Info


Department

COMM Office of the Vice President for Communications

About the Department

University Communications aims to increase the understanding, recognition, and advocacy of UChicago's impact as one of the world's leading research universities. Our teams focus on building the University brand, enhancing and protecting its reputation, and engaging our University community.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Vice President for Communications, the Director of College Communications and Associate Dean of the College is responsible for all communications for the undergraduate College of the University of Chicago.

A member of the Vice President for Communications and the Dean of the College's senior leadership teams, the Director is responsible for building a communications infrastructure and strategy to consistently convey the College's mission, dinstinctive identity and strategic priorities to a broader set of constituents. This includes leading collaboration with units across the University to achieve the goals of the College, including the Office of Communications, College Admissions and Financial Aid, Career Advancement, Campus and Student Life, Alumni Relations and Development, the Office of the Provost, Government Relations, and others.

Responsibilities

  • Creates a distinct brand identity and comprehensive communications infrastructure and strategy for the College, to protect and further promote reputation and help drive strategic priorities.
  • At the direction of the Dean of the College, works closely with senior leaders, including the Dean of Students in the University and the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Advancement, to develop and implement a comprehensive communications plan that supports the College.
  • Manages two full-time staff; also oversees seven undergraduate student writers and photographers.
  • Develops communications that help foster the close community and rigorous academic values of the College. This includes a focus on academic programs, College Housing, the College's wide spectrum of student activities, celebrating student achievements, the Core curriculum, excellence in teaching, diversity and inclusion, and free expression.
  • Works with the Dean of the College to maximize that role's impact for College priorities, including through public appearances, written pieces, media interviews, etc.
  • Leads cross-departmental teams for announcements and leadership communications concerning key College priorities, such as the Odyssey Scholarship Program for students from families with low and moderate incomes, as well as gifts and appointments as needed. Serve on the President's Major Announcements Group, providing leadership on opportunities for public and media visibility.
  • Collaborating with College Admissions and Alumni Relations and Development, ensures that the College's communications strategy recognizes and incorporates the importance of each stage in an individual's relationship with the school, from prospective student, to enrolled student, to alumnus.
  • Develops and implements plans for increasing the College's visibility around issues relating to financial aid and in key areas of the country, such as New York and Washington, D.C., including alumni events, media contacts, and other strategic relationships.
  • Acts as a communications liaison to Alumni Relations, with a focus on College priorities such as high-profile alumni events.
  • Leads development and execution of internal and external brand campaign for the College.
  • Works closely with College staff to manage a range of communications projects for the Office, including: website content and design; social media; and other internal and external communications. Provides event support as needed.
  • Coordinates crisis communications involving the College, including on safety or emerging issues that affect its reputation.
  • Assumes additional responsibilities as the VP for Communications and Dean of the College assign. Serve on related committees, etc., as needed.
  • Acts as a strategist or project lead to plan, develop and disseminate information designed to keep the public informed of the organization's programs, accomplishments, or point of view.
  • Solves complex and unique problems related to the writing, preparation, and/or delivery of information from or about the unit.
  • Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
---
Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
---
Certifications:


---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:
  • Master's degree.

Experience:
  • A minimum of 10 years of experience preferred in communications, marketing or related field with demonstrated leadership and influencing skills.
  • Experience in media relations, crisis communications, and issues management.
  • Experience managing communications teams.
  • Experience providing communications counsel to senior leaders.

Preferred Competencies
  • Strong business acumen and strategic communications skills.
  • Flexible and adaptable; able to work in fast-paced and ambiguous situations.
  • Develop and execute communications plans and campaigns.
  • Translate complex concepts into messages that target specific audiences' needs and/or perspectives.
  • Strong writing and presentation skills.
  • Provide leadership and counsel to senior leaders.
  • Navigate a complex organization, collaborate across multiple teams, and balance multiple priorities.
  • Strong understanding of the role of digital tools in communications.

Application Documents
  • Resume/CV (required)
  • Cover Letter (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Communications

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Requires Compliance with University Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Statement

Employees must comply with the University's COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at:http://securityreport.uchicago.edu.Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.


This job has expired.

More Education and Training jobs


University of Illinois
Joliet, Illinois
Posted about 1 hour ago

University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois
Posted about 1 hour ago

University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois
Posted about 1 hour ago

Get Hired Faster

Subscribe to job alerts and upload your resume!

*By registering with our site, you agree to our
Terms and Privacy Policy.