Communications Specialist - University Housing

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Champaign (IL); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

University Housing seeks a Communications Specialist to manage and create content across print, web, video, and multimedia formats. You will collaborate with the Senior Communications Coordinator, Associate Director, and student staff to ensure messages align with campus brand guidelines and department goals.

The role emphasizes storytelling, content strategy, and audience-focused communication for Housing programs, including Family & Graduate Housing, Residence Life, and Dining Services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with relevant field.
• Experience creating marketing or communications content for higher education, student audiences, or broad audiences preferred.
• Ability to produce accurate content under tight deadlines and manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Create and edit content for print, web, video, and other multimedia projects for University Housing units.
• Proofread and edit content for accuracy, consistency, clarity, and grammatical correctness.
• Collaborate with teammates, partners, stakeholders, and student employees to develop key messages and cohesive content and design.

Skills

Content creation

Editing & proofreading

SEO & digital marketing

CMS knowledge

Social media management

Mentoring students

Web analytics

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in marketing, business administration, communications, public relations, or a closely related field

Job description

Communications Specialist - University Housing

Housing Information & Marketing

University Housing provides an essential element of the Illinois experience, with hundreds of employees across seven units working together to build and maintain safe, healthy and welcoming homes for our residents. We value the many diverse voices, opinions, experiences and identities of the Illinois community, and our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is woven into each of our interactions, programs and decisions.

Housing Information & Marketing focuses on meeting the communications and logistical needs of current and potential residents. Staff respond to resident concerns, facilitate the signing of contracts, operate the logistics of room selection and resident placement. Together, team members tell the Housing story by providing graphic design, analysis, reporting, photo/video, writing and communications services across the department. HI&M staff also support other Housing units by providing strategic services like occupancy planning, assessment, marketing strategy and more.

Job Summary

Works as a content manager and creator for the Housing Information & Marketing team within University Housing. In collaboration with team members, implements a cohesive content strategy across media formats in support of the mission and units of University Housing. Produce content to elevate a broad spectrum of programs including Family & Graduate Housing, Residence Life, Dining Services, staff initiatives, and more. All University Housing staff foster a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment within University Housing.

Duties & Responsibilities

Create and edit content for print, web, video, and other multimedia projects for University Housing units.

• Create content in collaboration with the Senior Communications Coordinator, including but not limited to stories, blogs, articles, emails, websites, scripts, storyboards, postcards, brochures, social media, and presentations.
• Proofread and edit content for accuracy, consistency, clarity, and grammatical correctness.
• Collaborate effectively with teammates, partners, stakeholders, faculty, staff, and student employees. Collaborate with team members to develop key messages, ensure content and design unification, and ideate for video projects.

Content Strategy & Assessment

• Ensure adherence to campus-wide brand guidelines.
• Utilize data to assess content strategy efforts and inform future decision-making.
• Collaborate with Senior Communications Coordinator and Associate Director of Communications and Marketing to make and execute communication plans.
• Keep up with professional development and maintain a relevant understanding of current content, audience, and higher education trends.

Social Media Management

• Strategically manage University Housing social media channels and oversee student employees responsible for executing a cohesive social media plan.
• Work to implement social media strategy, developed collaboratively with the Senior Communications Coordinator and Associate Director of Communications and Marketing.
• Supervise and mentor student employees, who carry out the day-to-day operations of University Housing social media accounts.

Work Schedule, Travel, or Other Job Expectations

This position primarily works during standard business hours. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to support University Housing events, programs, or content needs. Occasional travel between University Housing and campus locations to conduct interviews, attend meetings, gather content, and support photo, video, or other multimedia projects.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, communications, public relations, or a closely related field.
• One (1) year (12 months) of professional work experience in marketing, public relations, communications, brand management, or a related professional area.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in English, marketing, communications, advertising, journalism, or a closely related field to the position.
• Two years of professional work experience in writing, marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, storytelling, publishing, or other experience in a related professional area to the position.
• Experience creating marketing or communications content for higher education, student, or other broad audiences.
• Experience in storytelling and interviewing.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to produce accurate content under tight deadlines
• Detail-oriented and able to fact-check information and write with accuracy.
• Knowledge of digital content marketing and SEO.
• Familiarity with how to utilize the AP Stylebook and/or in-house style guides.
• Basic knowledge of social media management.
• Ability to teach, manage, and mentor student employees.
• Familiarity with using a web CMS (content management system).
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines in a communications environment.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5004 - Marketing Associate position, appointed on a 12-month basis.

The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close of the search. The budgeted salary range for this position is $55,000 to $60,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

Hybrid work options may be available for this position, with the ability to be on-site at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus as needed per the University’s Workplace Flexibility policy.

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

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].

Requisition ID: 1037883

Job Category: Professional and Administrative