Community Impact & Engagement Director

University of St. Francis; Joliet (IL); On-site; USD 61,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The Director of Community Engagement at University of St. Francis leads the University Advancement Division in Joliet, guiding communications, events, and external relations to strengthen the university’s engagement with the surrounding community.

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, this exempt, full-time role builds partnerships, oversees media activities, donor relations, community programs, and university outreach efforts while ensuring collaboration across departments and adherence

Qualifications

• Minimum three years related experience in journalism, public relations, media relations, community engagement, or marketing.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Ability to perform the physical requirements of the position.
• Event planning experience.
• Willingness to support the Catholic and Franciscan values of the university.

Responsibilities

• Serve as liaison and resource to all media representatives; pitches feature and news ideas; prepares campus representatives for media coverage; and writes and places press releases.
• Liaise for strategic community partnerships (CAPA, Chambers of Commerce, community organizations, corporations and businesses).
• Establish, nurture and maintain positive external relationships with individuals, businesses and organizations that support the university's outreach efforts.
• Support community partnerships through strategic sponsorships.
• Lead efforts to represent the university favorably to the surrounding community, and attend community events.
• Collaborate with other departments on community events and messaging.
• Serve on the Crisis Management Team, complete NIMS training and serve as Public Information Officer (PIO).
• Plan and coordinate all relevant activities for university community events including Ambassador Day; assist with Caritas as necessary.
• Develop and maintain Community Relations piece of the website including faculty experts and USF in the News.
• Identify mechanisms to measure impact of community relations initiatives on engagement and brand.
• Review, maintain and evaluate community and government relations budget.
• Interact with existing and potential donors, including scholarship donors; donor research and recognition outreach activities.

Skills

Journalism

English

Public relations

Media relations

Community engagement

Marketing

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

The Director of Community Engagement at University of St. Francis leads the University Advancement Division in Joliet, guiding communications, events, and external relations to strengthen the university’s engagement with the surrounding community.

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, this exempt, full-time role builds partnerships, oversees media activities, donor relations, community programs, and university outreach efforts while ensuring collaboration across departments and adherence