Director of Marketing and Communications

University of Illinois Extension

University of Illinois Extension seeks an accomplished,visionary, and collaborative communications leader to serve as Director ofMarketing and Communications. The successful candidate will provide strategicleadership for Illinois Extension's statewide marketing, communications, andbrand enterprise.

WHO WE ARE
As part of the Land Grant system, the University of Illinoiswas established not only to provide world class education and pioneer researchand discovery, but to put learning and discovery into practice, to benefit thehealth and wellbeing of residents and communities in every part of Illinois.Extension is the university’s statewide network of educators, faculty experts,and staff dedicated to that mission. To learn more about University of IllinoisExtension, visit https://extension.illinois.edu/global/who-we-are.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYEES
We will invest in our employees, our most importantresource, by providing professional development and training that enables youto learn and grow to your full potential. We will strive to provide a healthywork-life balance for all our employees, regardless of role. Together, we willmaintain a culture that promotes inclusivity, teamwork, and an environment thatchallenges and rewards our employees. 

JOB PURPOSE
The Director develops and executes an integrated communications and marketingstrategy that advances Extension's mission, strengthens organizationalreputation, increases public awareness and engagement, and demonstrates thevalue of Extension's research-based programs to stakeholders throughoutIllinois and beyond. Serves as theorganization's chief communications strategist, leading statewide initiativesin brand management, marketing, media relations, digital communications,executive communications, storytelling, crisis communications, and publicengagement.

The Director cultivates a culture of innovation, creativity,collaboration, and continuous improvement while ensuring communications effortsalign with the strategic priorities of Illinois Extension, the College of ACES,and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in communications, marketing, or other relevant field. Candidates with a Master’s degree in progress may be considered for interviews, but degree must be completed by hire date.
• Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in communications and/or marketing.
• Experience in developing and evaluating the effectiveness of print and digital materials.
• Demonstrated success in the promotion/reporting of educational programs.
• Experience with crisis communications.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Public sector communications and marketing.
• Supervision and evaluation of personnel working in creative services, publicity and promotions, public affairs, and/or government relations.
• Valid driver’s license.

SPECIFICJOB INFORMATION:
One full-time position is available.
Location: Urbana-ChampaignCampus. Hybrid work may be available, but onsite work in Urbana-Champaign isrequired.

This isa security-sensitive position.  Comprehensive background checks, including but not limited to a criminalconviction information check, a CANTS check, and a review of the Registered SexOffender list, will be conducted.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Ability to promote creativity, vision, and successful communications efforts. Strong communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work within a team environment.

Knowledge of issues/best practices for science communications; knowledge of social media best practices, analytics and SEO strategies; ability to work with public and private organizations; mission of University of Illinois Extension, the land-grant system, and University of Illinois policies and procedures.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Organizational Leadership and StrategicCommunications:

• Provide visionary leadership forIllinois Extension's statewide marketing and communications enterprise bydeveloping long-term strategies that strengthen organizational reputation,increase public awareness, and position Illinois Extension as the trustedsource of research-based information for the people of Illinois.
• Develop and implementan integrated statewide marketing and communications strategy aligned with theIllinois Extension Strategic Plan as well as Extension, Extension Units,college and university priorities.
• Serve as steward of theIllinois Extension brand, ensuring consistent messaging, visual identity,voice, and positioning across all communications channels as well as alignmentwith Extension Units and Unit goals.
• Advise leadership onexecutive communications, organizational messaging, media strategy, reputationmanagement, and issues management.
• Lead organizationalcommunication during periods of change, crisis, or emerging public issues.
• Foster and supportdeeper partnerships with the 27 off-campus Extension Units across Illinois.
• Represent IllinoisExtension in university-wide communications initiatives and serve as liaisonwith ACES Marketing and Communications, University Strategic Communications andMarketing, and other campus partners.
• Develop communicationpolicies, governance, and standards that support organizational excellence.

Marketing, Brand Strategy, andPublic Engagement:

• Develop comprehensive marketing campaigns that measurablyincrease awareness of Extension programs and expand participation among newaudiences.
• Lead statewide brand strategy and positioning initiatives.
• Support legislative outreach, advancement initiatives, donorengagement, workforce recruitment, volunteer recruitment, and strategicpartnerships through coordinated communications both for statewide Extensionand Extension Units.
• Guide audience research, market segmentation, customerexperience, and outreach strategies.
• Oversee annual impact reports, multimedia storytellinginitiatives, statewide campaigns, and organizational publications both forstatewide Extension and Extension Units.
  

Communications Operations andDigital Strategies:

• Provide leadership for creative services, publications, digitalcommunications, web strategy, social media, multimedia production, mediarelations, and content development.
• Guide adoption of emerging communications technologies,including artificial intelligence, marketing automation, and accessibility bestpractices.
• Use analytics, website metrics, campaign performance, andaudience engagement data to lead continuous improvement.
• Establish standards for editorial quality, accessibility, andcontent strategy.
  

Leadership, Personnel, andOrganizational Development:

• Lead, supervise, coach, and develop the statewide Extension Marketingand Communications team.
• Develop organizational capacity through mentoring, successionplanning, and professional development.
• Promote collaboration across Extension Program Teams, Regional Offices,Unit Offices, and University Partners with Extension MarCom.
  

Professional Development andInnovation:

• Remain current on emerging trends in strategic communications,integrated marketing, science communication, analytics, artificialintelligence, and higher education communications.
• Represent Illinois Extension through professional organizationsand national collaborations.
  

Other Responsibilities:

• Assist unit staff withgathering program participant demographic information to ensure compliance withcivil rights reporting requirements.
• Personal transportationrequired; occasional state-wide travel will be required.

PhysicalDemands/Working Conditions
When working, the employee may be exposed to a variety ofenvironmental factors to include, but not limited to, hot or cold weather,exposure to noise and allergens, and uneven ground.  In performing the functions of this position,the employee may be subjected to various physical demands including ability tomove, transfer and/or transport items that may occasionally weigh up to forty(40) pounds and frequently weigh up to twenty (20) pounds, and twisting,pushing and pulling movements.

Work Schedule, Travel, Or Other Job Expectations
To perform the functions of this position, the employee willbe required to perform work both within an office and outside in thecommunities that are served and must have the capability to travel from onelocation to the other in a timely fashion.  Employee is responsible for securing personal transportation. Some workwill be required during evenings and/or weekends.

AppointmentInformation
This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for workauthorization. This position is a full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenureacademic professional position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon aspossible after the closing date. The previouslydetermined salary range for this position was $90,000 to $105,000. We strive toprovide a competitive salary while taking into consideration internal equity,candidate experience and qualifications, as well as budget constraints. Thefinal salary offer will be determined through a calculation involving theseelements. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at the topof the full range for this position.

ApplicationProcedures & Deadline Information
Applications must bereceived by 6:00 pm (CST) on October 7, 2026. Apply for this positionusing the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload a resume, cover letter, andthe names and contact information for three professional references. Resumedates submitted must be in month/year format and employment history, ata minimum, should include all work dating back to the completion of yourundergraduate degree. Positions that were less than full-time/100% must benoted as being part-time. Transcripts may be requested at a later date. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered.

For further information about this specificposition, please contact Doug Harlan at dharlan@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the applicationprocess, please contact 217-333-2137.

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.

Champaign-Urbana

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. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and 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 accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1038285
Job Category: Off-Campus
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu

Company Name: University of Illinois
Website: https://illinois.csod.com/ux/ats/ca...
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