Director of Community Engagement

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

Position Details

Job Title: Director of Community Engagement

Position Number: 005029

Department: University Advancement - Joliet IL

Job Grade: 11

Anticipated Salary Range: $60,500 - $66,000

Benefits: https://stfrancis.edu/employment/

Notice of Nondiscrimination

The University of St. Francis does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs on the basis of any protected class. The University also prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or harassment or participating in any internal or external investigation or complaint process related to allegations of misconduct. For a complete copy of USF's Policy on Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Nondiscrimination for All Faculty, Students, Employees and Third Parties or for more information, please go to https://www.stfrancis.edu/titleix/ or contact the Title IX Coordinator at [e-mail].

Position Summary

The Director of Community Engagement reports to the Chief Development Officer and is part of the University Advancement Division. This position directs the operations and planning of community relations as it pertains to the university, including communications, publications, special events, community relations and engagement and other related activities. This is a full-time, exempt position.

Essential Duties & 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
• Serve as the liaison for strategic community partnerships (i.e. 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 National Incident Management System (NIMS) training and serve with the Chief Development Officer as a 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 direct and indirect impact of community relations initiatives on engagement, strategic objectives, and brand enhancement
• Review, maintain and evaluate community and government relations budget
• Participate in University Advancement divisional projects that contribute to the university's culture, strategic vision and achievement of goals
• Interact with existing and potential donors, including scholarship donors
• Donor research and identification
• Donor gift recognition outreach activities
• Other duties as necessary

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum three years related experience: journalism, English, 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

Preferred Requirements

• Master's degree in related field

Hours/Shift/Work Schedule

40 hours/week, Monday through Friday, primarily days. Occasional evening and weekend work as needed for meetings and events.

Physical Requirements of Position

Work is performed in an office setting with minimal exposure to health or safety hazards. Substantial time is spent working on a computer. This is sedentary work which requires the following physical activities: sitting, walking, bending, stooping, finger dexterity, repetitive motions, talking, hearing and visual acuity.