Associate Director of Communications

Experience Champaign Urbana; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Experience Champaign Urbana is seeking a communications professional to develop and implement strategies that enhance the College’s reputation and visibility among peers and external stakeholders.

You will serve as the primary liaison for department heads, advise the Marketing Communications team, and craft executive messaging for college leadership. Opportunity to influence rankings, alumni engagement, and cross-campus initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic communications plans to enhance reputation and visibility.
• Serve as primary communications liaison for department heads and chairs; advise with Marketing Communications.
• Lead development of peer-facing reputation communications to elevate standing and research reputation.
• Manage editorial content for alumni newsletter and support alumni communications initiatives.
• Write speeches, talking points, presentations, and executive messaging for senior leaders.
• Assist in communications strategies related to rankings and reputation-building.
• Manage peer institution contact lists and communications databases.
• Provide high-level writing, editing, proofreading, and messaging support for College initiatives.

Skills

Strategic communications

Writing

Editing

Public relations

Stakeholder management

Team collaboration

Event support

Project management

Job description

Duties Responsibilities Communications

• Develop and execute strategic communications plans that enhance the reputation and visibility of the College’s academic departments among peer institutions and external stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary communications liaison for department heads and chairs, and work closely with the College’s Marketing Communications team to advise on opportunities and helping identify strategic priorities.
• Lead development of peer-facing reputation communications designed to elevate the College’s academic standing and research reputation.
• Manage editorial content for the College’s monthly alumni newsletter and support broader alumni communications initiatives in partnership with the assigned marketing coordinator and the Office of Advancement.
• Write speeches, talking points, presentations, correspondence, and executive messaging for executive associate deans and associate deans when representing the College.
• Assist in development and execution of communications strategies related to academic rankings and reputation-building initiatives.
• Manage and maintain peer institution and peer leader contact lists and communications databases.
• Provide high-level writing, editing, proofreading, and messaging support for strategic College initiatives.

Management Strategy

• Build strong collaborative relationships with faculty, academic leaders, and administrative stakeholders across the College.
• Guide strategic discussions with departments regarding communications priorities, messaging opportunities, and long-term reputation goals.
• Provide communications support for department-level conferences, symposia, and other events
• Coordinate complex communications projects from concept through execution while managing timelines and stakeholder expectations.
• Collaborate with the Director of Brand Engagement and Creative Director to ensure alignment with College and University brand standards.
• Monitor higher education, business school, and media trends and apply insights to reputation-building strategies.
• Recruit, hire, and manage student employees as needed.
• Work within and contribute to team project management systems.
• Other communications and marketing duties as assigned.