Communications & Digital Content Specialist - Applied Health Sciences

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Urbana (IL); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Tuition waivers

Job summary

The Communications & Digital Content Specialist in the College of Applied Health Sciences Marketing and Communications at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will develop strategic communications and digital content across channels to raise the college's visibility and impact. Responsibilities include media relations, social media strategy, visual content, and supervision of student interns.

The role emphasizes translating health and research topics for broad audiences, crafting stories,

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic communications plans and campaigns.
• Research, write, edit, and distribute news releases, feature stories, profiles, web content, newsletters.
• Translate complex research into clear content for broad audiences.
• Develop talking points, speeches, brochures, and digital materials.
• Cultivate relationships with campus communicators, journalists, and media outlets.
• Monitor social media for trends and opportunities for commentary.
• Coordinate communications coverage for events and activities on-site.
• Provide editorial support to faculty, staff, leadership, and units.

Skills

Social media management

Writing & editing

Strategic communications

Project coordination

Public relations

Education

Bachelor's degree in PR/communications

Two years of communications experience

Demonstrated social media experience

Tools

Asana

Microsoft Teams

Airtable

Zoom

Google Drive

Adobe Express

Adobe Creative Cloud

Job description

Communications & Digital Content Specialist

College of Applied Health Sciences Marketing and Communications

Job Summary

The Communications and Digital Content Specialist develops and executes strategic communications and digital content that advance the reputation, visibility, and mission of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Applied Health Sciences. Working as a key member of the College's Marketing and Communications team, this position translates complex health, science, and research topics alongside human-centered stories into compelling content for diverse a wide array of audiences and channels. The position is responsible for developing written, visual, and multimedia content that highlights the accomplishments and impact of the college's faculty, staff, students, alumni, programs, research, facilities, and community partnerships. Responsibilities include strategic communications planning, media relations, editorial development, social media strategy and management, photography, basic videography, digital content management, and supervision of student interns. This position will be located on-site at the Urbana Champaign campus with the potential for 1 - 2 days of remote work.

Duties & Responsibilities

Communications and Writing

• 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.

Social media strategy and content development

• 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.
• Develop original, accurate, timely, engaging platform-appropriate content that increases awareness of people, programs, research, events, and impact.
• Monitor social media trends, audience behavior, and emerging platforms and recommend strategies to increase reach, engagement, and relevance.
• Represent the college at campus-wide social media meetings and professional development opportunities.
• Lead photography, including planning, capturing, selecting, editing, organizing, and maintaining a high-quality library of images.
• Coordinate photography and videography requests in collaboration with the project manager and freelancers.
• Produce and edit basic video and multimedia content for websites, social media, events, and other digital communications.

Student and other staff supervision

• Work with Assistant Director of Communications to recruit, train, and supervise student staff, providing clear direction, metrics for success, and mentorship.
• Work with student communicators, freelancers, extra help, and others to successfully assign, manage, and supervise college-related communications projects.

Service and other duties

• Attend communications-related campus meetings and represent the college at the weekly campus "story call"
• Maintain active relationships with campus communications colleagues and contribute information, expertise, and best practices to university-wide communications initiatives.
• Participate in professional development activities to remain current on communications, digital media, social media, multimedia, accessibility, and marketing trends.
• Comply with all College of Applied Health Sciences Aff…

Required Qualifications

• 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 Qualifications

• 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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the purpose and mission of the College of Applied Health Sciences at Illinois.
• Strong writing skills, both short form and long form.
• Project management acumen - can manage multiple concurrent projects successfully from inception to on-time delivery.
• Proficiency with communications-related software and programs, including Microsoft and Google suites, Box, Airtable, and Adobe Express, Microsoft Teams.
• Some proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud, including basic photo and video editing to produce social media content and media photography.
• Proficiency with social media platforms, including (but not limited to) Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
• Proficiency with website content management systems.
• Versatile team player with strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills and a marketing sensibility.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5007 - Publicity-Promotions Associate position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 11/29/2026. The pre-determined salary range for this position is $60,000 - $70,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a thorough assessment of these elements.

This position is not eligible for any type of work authorization.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state's flagship public university and one of the world's leading research institutions - every staff member helps shape what's next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you're empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence - where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

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. 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.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [e-mail].