Senior Communications Specialist- (Hybrid) System Offices Shared Services

University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign; Urbana (IL); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

a Retirement Plan

Paid time Off

Tuition waivers for employees and not/

Job summary

University of Illinois System is seeking a Senior Communications Specialist (Hybrid) to coordinate communications across the CFO organization and system-wide initiatives. You will manage content for the Business and Finance website, write and edit articles, and publish announcements to internal and external audiences.

The role involves developing newsletters, print materials, and program brochures, while ensuring compliance with system policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, business, communications, public relations, or related field.
• 1 year of professional work experience in marketing, PR, communications, or related area.
• Additional education or training may be required based on position needs.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and consult on communications within the CFO org and system-wide initiatives.
• Oversee unit web pages and content management for University websites (HTML).
• Write/copy edit articles for Business and Finance News and publish announcements.
• Publish external communications to Deans, Directors, Department Heads, and BMG/AFO messages.
• Develop and produce print materials, newsletters, and program brochures.
• Ensure compliance with system regulations, policies, and standards.

Skills

Project management

Writing and editing

Adobe Creative Suite

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

HTML

Job description

Senior Communications Specialist- (Hybrid) System Offices Shared Services

Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

System Office positions, such as this position, are not eligible for the employee referral program.

Job Summary

Coordinate and provide consulting on the communications function with the planning, development, execution, and evaluation of internal and external (university wide) communication strategies and initiatives to enhance internal employee communication within the entire Chief Financial Officer organization of the University of Illinois System and meet the information needs of System Offices Shared Services customers.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee and maintain content on the units' web pages that are a part of the new Business and Finance website, along with facilitating content management service for all University of Illinois System websites (HTML)
• Oversee, write and/or copy edit article content for Business and Finance News announcements, code (HTML) content into the News Service application, and publish announcements
• Under guidance of Associate Director of Communications and other communication partners publish other system-wide external communications, such as mass mails to the Deans, Directors and Department Heads (DDDH), and Business Managers Group (BMG)/AFO messages, through the respective campus communication entities
• Create and maintain employee's distribution lists by running monthly report queries against Banner databases and updating the list accordingly
• Write and/or copy edit article content for the customer units' newsletters
• Develop and produce print publications, newsletters, and program brochures for SOSS customers
• Oversee compliance with system regulations, policies, and standards
• Participate in internal SOSS projects as well as external System Offices projects in senior communications specialist role, assign project support tasks to communications specialist, extra help staff and/or student workers
• Under guidance and supervision of Associate Director, assign and oversee work requests performed by extra help staff and student workers
• Support Change Management team Help draft and implement project communication plans Assist in implementing change management strategies under direction of Associate Director of Communications Assist in facilitating informational events for staff, such as Town Hall meetings, campus employee fairs, focus group activities, user group presentations, and conferences
• Other duties as assigned appropriate for a Senior Communications Specialist

Minimum Qualifications

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

2. One (1) year (12 months) of professional work experience in marketing, public relations, communications, brand management, or a related professional area.

3. Based on position requirements, additional education, training, and/or work experience in the area of specialization inherent to the position, may be required.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred:

1. Master's degree in communications or, creative writing, graphic design, English-related field.

2. Three years experience in marketing, public relations, communications, brand management, or a related professional area, that included writing and style editing.

3. Possess Valid Certification with NCSA (National Customer Service Association).

4. At least five years' experience in a communications office, preferably in a higher-education environment.

5. Experience in managing tasks and/or projects-as well as developing plans and adhering to established goals and timelines.

6. Experience working with or in higher education, experience at the University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign campus strongly preferred.

7. Experience with content creation and web development tools.

8. Experience working in a team environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong project management skills, excellent writing and editing skills, and demonstrated skills in the production and creation of print and other media.
• Ability to provide evidence of strong interpersonal and project-management skills.
• Ability to project a dynamic and pleasant personality in public appearances.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively. Working knowledge of Adobe Creative suite of software.
• Ability to work independently, creatively, and efficiently under time constraints.
• Detail-oriented and able to coordinate multiple projects with competing priorities.
• Excellent teamwork skills and the willingness to collaborate in a team environment on various projects.
• Knowledge of the University of Illinois.
• Administrative knowledge of Campus Web Tools.

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 3/15/2026. The budgeted salary range for the position is $60,000 to $65,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

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

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.

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.

• Health
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• a Retirement Plan
• Paid time Off
• 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].