Job Summary
The Assistant Dean of Marketing Communications is a senior leadership position, empowered to catalyze the marketing and communications efforts of the Dean and the executive leadership team across the College of ACES. This individual will build and maintain a state-of-the-art marketing communications department; balance and manage multiple priorities; lead and effect change in a large, decentralized and complex environment; promote excellence across the MarCom team's diverse functions, talent and technical skills; establish the foundation for a dynamic environment that embraces creativity and innovation; and foster a spirit of teamwork and progressive thinking in order to guide the College on a path of enrollment and advancement growth.
The ideal candidate will bring a forward-thinking mindset, with the ability to develop and implement innovative communication strategies that align with and advance the college's mission and values. This role requires a visionary who can articulate the "why" and "how" behind communications efforts, driving engagement, enhancing visibility, and ensuring measurable outcomes that support the college's long-term goals.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership
· Set the standard of excellence, providing oversight of the output for the MarCom unit, teams and their respective activities: Marketing, Communications, and Digital Strategy:
o Work with each MarCom team Director to identify short-term and long-term strategic goals for the College as it relates to their unit and alignment with the College marketing objectives.
o Create team executional plans that align with the identified goals and objectives, effectively represent the vision of the Dean and the College’s priorities, and advance visibility and engagement with the College, both internally and externally.
· This person will be a convener across the College of ACES:
o Foster positive working relationships with internal and external partners to advance the College’s vision.
o Collaborate closely with the Associate Deans for Office of Research, University of Illinois Extension, Office of Academic Programs, Office of International Programs, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the Office of Advancement, as well as the Department Heads for each of the seven Academic Departments and various other units and programs.
· Lead a diverse staff with varying skill levels across disciplines in MarCom.
· Establish and maintain an ongoing, supportive and participatory system of staff evaluation that offers all staff members the opportunity to contribute to their own individual professional goals and development.
· Set annual objectives and performance measures and analyze effectiveness against goals.
· Direct unit-wide budget planning and financial management activities.
· Act as Chief Communications Officer for the College, attending campus-level meetings to represent ACES, ensuring that information presented and discussed is shared with the MarCom Directors, the Dean of the College and other members of the ACES executive leadership team as appropriate.
Strategy
· College Brand and Messaging Strategy:
o Set strategic marketing goals that align with efforts of the College’s Executive Leadership team, and oversee execution of marketing and engagement activities based on the College’s goals and objectives, continuously working to heighten awareness and enhance the brand of the College.
o Develop long-range strategic planning for the College in regards to marketing communications and oversee the brand identity of the College of ACES. Critical to the success of this role will include managing staff to implement the plan and leading other communications activities as needed.
o Introduce and evaluate new methods and technologies for keeping the College and its constituents highly engaged.
o Integrate the College’s brand and identify with the myriad identities across our many departments and offices.
o Imbed Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging into every aspect of marketing and communications operations and policy
· Digital Strategy:
o Ensure clear, consistent and current representation of the College’s and University’s mission and visual identities, along with individual department initiatives, across all digital platforms.
Communication
· Office of the Dean:
o Oversee a team of communications and marketing professionals to provide: editorial writing, talking points, briefing materials, media interview content, internal communications, external stakeholder communications and other communications and marketing services for major college events and presentations as needed.
· Executive Leadership team:
o Partner with College leadership, including Associate Deans, Assistant Deans, Department Heads and MarCom Directors, to create strategic marketing plans and subsequent materials in support of the College's faculty, staff, students, recruitment and programs, and advancement efforts, ensuring that institutional needs and MarCom resources/services are closely aligned, while using resources efficiently and effectively.
· Media Relations/Crisis Management:
o Provide guidance and expertise in the field of public and media relations, including relationship development and promoting administrators as thought leaders.
o Identify public policy/news opportunities to showcase the College’s work through blogs, op-eds, etc.
o Lead risk management and reputation management efforts, especially on sensitive public relations issues:
§ Work closely with the Dean, Dean’s office and the ACES executive leadership team to strategically plan for and develop communications required in response to important issues and crisis situations.
§ Provide expertise on media interaction, crisis stakeholder engagement, and reputation risk assessment, based on industry best practices.
· As a land grant institution, enhance and strengthen the College’s engagement internally with the U of I System External Relations & Communications Office and externally with potential legislative representatives and other influencers in order to advance the research and funding to support the College’s goals.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline
Experience: Eight or more years of recent experience and demonstrated success in brand management, communications and marketing activities, including public relations and crisis management. Applicable professional experience and demonstrated success in communications and marketing activities, including public relations and crisis management.
Preferred Qualifications
Education: Advanced degree
Experience: Experience leading website strategy and development strongly preferred. Significant communications or marketing experience with an institution of higher education or other not-for-profit organization is highly preferred. Understanding of a large research university like the University of Illinois, the historical role of a land grant institution, as well as, Extension philosophies and methodologies is highly preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Must have proven ability to manage a diverse staff with varying skill levels across disciplines in MarCom to include experience in staff leadership, motivation, development, and delegation of authority required. Strong oral, written, public relations, crisis management, digital, visual communication and presentation skills. Strong collaboration, persuasion and consensus-building skills. Working knowledge of marketing communications tactics and strategies that drive recruitment and advancement fundraising. Demonstrated adept organizational problem solving, strategic planning, and consensus building required. Skill and experience in organizing resources and establishing priorities, budget preparation, and the ability to manage budgetary expenditures for compliance with approved budget. Experience in examining operations and procedures with ability to implement new initiatives to improve outcomes.
About the University and College
The University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign is a public land-grant research university in Illinois in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana. It is the flagship institution of the University of Illinois system and was founded in 1867. The university serves the people of Illinois through a shared commitment to excellence in teaching, research, public engagement, economic development, and health care. Faculty, staff, and students share their knowledge, expertise, and resources with residents in every corner of the state through public service and outreach programs.
The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign stands at the forefront of innovation and impact through cutting-edge research, transformative education, and collaborative outreach. Our top-ranked academic programs, designed to foster global leadership and scholarly excellence, empower the next generation of leaders to shape a more sustainable and equitable future. Together, we champion robust food systems, nurture thriving families and communities, and steward a healthy planet.
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close of the search. Salary is commensurate with experience, while also considering internal equity. The budgeted base salary range for this position is $115,000- $140,000.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by February 19, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of the posting on www.jobs.illinois.edu . Upload a cover letter and CV/resume. An online application will require names and contact information for three professional references. Applications not submitted through this website will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact search committee chair Dr. Elizabeth Olson at egolson@illinois.edu . For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.
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 accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.
