Assistant Director, Digital Communications

Department
 

ARD Digital Communications

About the Department
 

Alumni Relations & Development (ARD) engages alumni (~190k), current students, parents and friends of the University through intellectual, professional and social activities on campus, around the world and online. ARD raises $550 Million annually to support faculty and researchers, practitioners and patients, and students and programs across the University. Our work supports priorities in every division, school, department, and institute. ARD Communications partners with colleagues within ARD and across the University to advance ambitious goals in fundraising and constituent engagement. The 35-person communications team produced several print and electronic publications, creates donor-facing propositions for both individuals and large audiences, and will be a key partner in creating and executing the upcoming campaign’s messaging, creative approach, and positioning This position has a hybrid work schedule which includes weekly in office presence located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court.

Job Summary
 

The job plans, prepares and disseminates information designed to keep the public informed of the University's perspectives, programs, and accomplishments. Work is performed with a moderate level of guidance, and typically includes marketing, press relations, creative editorial and design services, and internal communications.

Responsibilities

• Manages the day-to-day moderation and content curation of all UChicago Alumni-branded social channels, including creation and maintenance of a social media editorial calendar that advances the goals of alumni programs and initiatives, along with university news and events for relevant audiences.

• Maintains relationships with cross-campus social media partners to coordinate social communications efforts.  Participates in campus communicators and UChicago Social campus groups.

• Be a social media resource on ARD Communications marketing projects, which will include collaborating with design and editorial teams on the planning, creation, development, and reporting on social media campaigns.

• Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance including attending webinars, seminars, building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.

• Accomplishes assigned duties through two or more of the following: written communications; visual/graphic media, which may include Web site development and maintenance; speeches and personal contact. The incumbent is still acquiring higher-level knowledge and skills.

• Solves a range of straightforward problems, as work assignments are difficult and broad in nature, usually requiring originality and ingenuity.

• Continues to build higher level knowledge of the University, processes and customers.

• Perform other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.

• Advanced degree.

Experience:

• Minimum two years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales or similar professional work experience.

• Professional work experience in social media marketing.

• Professional work experience in online engagement such as email marketing, online community development, web content management.

• Customer service or vendor relationship experience.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Demonstrated skill and knowledge of, or ability to learn quickly, the internal workings of the University as well as the technology tools available to the Office of Alumni Relations and Development, including the University's donor relationship management system and the Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Competencies

• Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.

• Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.

• Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.

• Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.

• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, to speak, and to write effectively.

• Self-motivation and the ability to take initiative.

Working Conditions

• This position has a hybrid work schedule which includes weekly in office presence.

• Standard office environment.

• Travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business.

• Work evenings and weekends as needed.

• This position is located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

• Cover Letter, addressed to Hiring Committee (preferred)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Communications

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward .
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.