Senior Manager for Marketing and Communications, Extension Marketing and Communications

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is seeking a Marketing Associate within the Extension Marketing and Communications team. The role oversees strategic messaging, media relations, and brand reputation, while supervising staff and interns across statewide campaigns.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree and at least five years in marketing or communications, with leadership experience and a strong track record in strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, communications, public relations, or a closely related field.
• Five (5) years of professional work experience in marketing, public relations, communications, brand management, or a related professional area that included experience leading strategic communications initiatives.
• Experience supervising, managing, or providing direct leadership to staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and prioritization of feature stories and other strategic content, balancing organizational priorities with the needs of multiple stakeholders and audiences.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to develop and distribute integrated communications across platforms.
• Define communications and publicity goals and use performance data to inform content strategy, channel selection, and future efforts.
• Develop reporting mechanisms and processes that support consistent analysis and data-informed decision-making.

Skills

Marketing strategy

Media relations

Brand management

Leadership

Strategic communications

Education

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

Master's degree in communications, marketing, education, business administration, design, international relations, public relations, or closely related field

Job description

Extension - Marketing and Communications

WE TRANSFORM LIVES.

Everything we do is designed to improve the quality of life of the people in the state of Illinois, across the nation, and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminate knowledge to address societal concerns and train the next generation of experts and leaders in a way that empowers them to expand the boundaries of science to higher levels of understanding and influence.

Be a part of our story Through learning partnerships that extend knowledge and change lives, University of Illinois Extension provides educational programs aimed at making life better, healthier, safer, and more profitable for individuals and their communities. Illinois Extension has operated continuously for more than 100 years connecting the citizens of Illinois to their land-grant university by providing educational programming around the state. University of Illinois Extension is based in the College of ACES and works with all colleges and units of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Job Summary

Responsible for implementing strategic messaging, leading media relations and brand reputation efforts, providing team supervision and mentorship, and executing internal communications as part of the statewide Illinois Extension Marketing and Communications (MarCom) team.

Supervision and Team Leadership

• Supervise two media communications coordinators, a media communications manager, Extra Help employees, and student interns assigned to communications projects, including assigning work, establishing expectations, and supporting successful project completion.
• Conduct performance reviews, provide timely feedback on work quality and performance, establish professional development goals, and provide supportive and corrective guidance when needed.
• Mentor and provide strategic guidance to members of the state MarCom team, fostering collaboration, accountability, professional growth, and an inclusive work environment.
• Collaborate with colleagues to identify, develop, and deliver marketing and communications training and professional development opportunities for Illinois Extension personnel.
• Comply with all University of Illinois Extension Affir...procedures, and guidelines.

Strategic Communications, Media Relations, and Visibility

• Develop and execute media-centered communications strategies that increase Illinois Extension’s statewide visibility, strengthen organizational reputation, and advance strategic priorities.
• Build and maintain relationships with media, University partners, affiliate organizations, and other key stakeholders to expand the reach and impact of Illinois Extension communications.
• Lead media relations efforts, including identifying and developing news opportunities, coordinating media pitches, and disseminating news releases, feature stories, and statewide messages.
• Develop key messaging strategies and communications tools, including message frameworks, creative briefs, pitch materials, and other resources that support consistent and effective communications.
• Identify and pursue strategic promotional, trade, partnership, and paid advertising opportunities in collaboration with MarCom colleagues.
• Provide guidance on emerging communications trends, audience needs, and opportunities to strengthen organizational visibility and engagement.

Editorial and Content Strategy

• Lead the development and prioritization of feature stories and other strategic content, balancing organizational priorities with the needs of multiple stakeholders and audiences.
• Collaborate with writing, digital strategy, language translation, design, photography, and videography staff to develop and distribute integrated communications across platforms.
• Collaborate with the Art Director and other creative staff to support brand unity and develop effective photography, videography, storyboarding, and visual storytelling approaches.
• Define communications and publicity goals and use performance data to inform content strategy, channel selection, and future communications efforts.

Communications Operations, Planning, and Performance

• Manage the administration and documentation of strategic marketing and communications priorities, including development of appropriate communication plans, processes, and supporting materials.
• Collaborate with the Project Manager to establish priorities, keep stakeholders informed, manage expectations, and ensure communications projects remain on schedule, particularly clients without a strategy partner.
• Support end-to-end coordination of integrated communications campaigns in collaboration with project management, creative, editorial, and digital staff.
• Define performance measures and prepare regular, actionable reports on communications efforts, including print, digital, social media, earned media, and campaign performance in collaboration with appropriate MarCom staff.
• Develop reporting mechanisms and processes that support consistent analysis, continuous improvement, and data-informed decision-making.
• Assist with budget planning, monitoring, and financial accountability for communications expenditures.

Special Projects and Organizational Support

• Lead or support special communications initiatives that advance Illinois Extension, the College of ACES, and University priorities.
• Provide communications expertise and support for emerging organizational needs, high-priority initiatives, and cross-functional projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Specialty Factors

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, communications, public relations, or a closely related field. Five (5) years of professional work experience in marketing, public relations, communications, brand management, or a related professional area that included experience leading strategic communications initiatives. Experience supervising, managing, or providing direct leadership to staff.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in communications, marketing, education, business administration, design, international relations, public relations, or closely related field.

More than ten (10+) years of professional experience in marketing, public relations, publicity, or communications or closely related field.

Demonstrated advancement in scope of responsibility, such as increased project complexity, independent decision-making, budget responsibility, or leadership of staff or team.

Experience managing media relations at a campus, statewide, regional, or national level.

Experience working in higher education or public engagement.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of purpose and mission of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) and University of Illinois Extension and knowledge of best practices in accessible marketing and communications.

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. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. The budgeted salary range for the position is $70,000 to $85,000.

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

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 conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer.

The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.

Out-of-state candidates must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days of the start date for this position. Illinois residency requires proof of a valid Illinois Driver’s License or state of Illinois ID Card. Failure to produce the required documentation within 180 calendar days will result in immediate termination of employment.

Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

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.

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.

Champaign-Urbana

Requisition ID

1038253

Job Category

Professional and Administrative