Assistant Vice President, ARD Communications

Details

Posted: 10-May-23

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Type: Full-time

Salary: Open

Categories:

Administrative/Support
Staff/Administrative

Internal Number: JR21968

Location: Chicago, IL

Job Description:

Job Summary:

As the chief marketing and communications officer for ARD, the Assistant Vice President (AVP) will lead the creation and execution of communications strategies that target alumni and donors, creating a seamless and integrated experience for the Universityâ™s stakeholders. Reporting to the Vice President for ARD and serving as a member of the senior leadership team, the AVP will conceive of and implement a comprehensive and holistic communications strategy that builds on existing programs, channels, and staff, and which ties into the broader Universityâ™s marketing and communications efforts to create excitement and stimulate engagement across all audiences. In addition, the AVP will design and execute market research endeavors to inform and strengthen UChicagoâ™s ability to expand outreach, engagement, and philanthropy.  The AVP will also partner with leadership in University Communications, UChicago Medicine, Chicago Booth, the College, and other schools and units to ensure that ARD Communications is creating complementary programs, adding value to their own communications, and reinforcing key messages and themes. Managing a team of nearly 40 professionals, the AVP will establish and foster an environment that encourages inclusion, creativity, collaboration, and innovation. This individual will manage an operating budget of $5 million. 

This position has a hybrid work schedule which includes weekly in office presence located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court.

Responsibilities:

• Create and implement an overarching advancement communications program that is innovative, progressive, and proactive, and that unifies messaging for the Universityâ™s philanthropic and alumni engagement efforts, extends across all media and vehicles, and relays the mission and core values of the institution.

• Maintain strong, collaborative, and collegial relationships with ARD teams that have a high need for communications support and/or shared responsibility for communications, particularly Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving as well as development colleagues. Understand their specific priorities and identify ways to create nuanced messages that integrate well with ARDâ™s overall positioning and priorities, while aligning them with the Universityâ™s brand identity and communications style.

• Collaborate closely with colleagues in UChicago Medicine, Chicago Booth, the College, and other schools, divisions, and units, ensuring strategic partnerships that result in cumulative excellence in a wide variety of communications vehicles. Develop strategy and provide counsel to the Vice President for how ARD communicates with key leaders across campus.

• Build a robust, modern advancement communications function that incorporates traditional, digital, and social media; reliably generates content â“ written or otherwise â“ that is compelling, timely, and on message; provides access to best-in-class graphic design, photography, and videography support, either through ARD or University Communications resources or preferred outside vendors; and is equally able to support mass communications efforts and generate bespoke materials.

• Set clear direction and priorities for staff, creating a results-oriented work environment that encourages innovation, promotes diversity of thought and ideas, and rewards collaboration. Maintain a leadership style that is open, fluid, and empowers staff through active communication and delegation, placing their work within the context of ARDâ™s strategic priorities and that of the University overall.

• Lead the development of campaign communication strategies. Play a lead role in achieving campaign readiness targets and, in collaboration with University Communications and ARD leadership, ensure consistency in messaging across all communications channels for campaign.

• Foster an environment that rewards new ideas and risk taking, builds confidence, promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion, and encourages effective partnerships and collaboration.

• Celebrate current achievements and set clear expectations for future success. Create and contribute to a work environment of transparency, clarity, agility, and mutual respect.

• Lead by example, serving as a collaborator whose opinion is sought by others in ARD and who continually looks for ways to elevate messages and increase engagement and creativity.

• Partner with other members of the senior leadership team and play a lead role in setting an internal communications strategy for ARD; oversee internal communications channels to foster engagement and connection across and among ARD staff and teams.

• Assume additional responsibilities consistent with the changing needs of the office.

• Seek opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance, including building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions and with an eye towards broadly diversifying the advancement profession.

• Perform other related work as needed.

Competencies:

• A record of creative and entrepreneurial management with the ability to build, lead, mentor, and motivate staff in alignment with ARDâ™s values. A strong commitment to personal and professional development, and the ability to foster a collaborative, diverse, and inclusive team environment. 

• Proactive with a spirit of initiative and the ability to juggle multiple priorities, programs, and projects in a fast-paced environment.

• Exemplary interpersonal and communication, oral and written, skills.

• Strong personal integrity, resiliency, and work ethic, as well as a high level of emotional intelligence.

• A keen eye for operational efficiencies and optimal use of resources. The ability to utilize metrics and analytics to plan, monitor, and manage a budget.

• An appreciation for the history, mission, achievements, and contribution of the University of Chicago, and the ability to effectively articulate those to alumni, friends, students, and other key internal and external stakeholders of the institution.

Education, Experience, or Certifications:

Education:

• Bachelorâ™s degree required.

• Advanced degree preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum ten years of experience leading, envisioning, and implementing a successful strategic communications, marketing, or public relations program that can be leveraged across an enterprise with multiple constituencies and a wide variety of audiences, ideally in higher education and in an advancement setting required.

• Minimum five years of management experience, including successfully managing, coaching, and motivating staff required.

• Minimum three years of experience developing and monitoring budgets required.

• Superior strategic skills with exceptional knowledge of the latest digital, social, and integrated marketing tools; a strong grasp of industry best practices; and a holistic understanding of all aspects of communications, marketing, positioning, and branding. Substantial experience evaluating the strengths of existing programs and identifying opportunities for improvement required.

• A record of success as an innovative and collaborative leader in a large, complex, mission-driven organization with numerous and distributed stakeholders, shared decision making, and shifting priorities required.

• Prior experience in planning and executing communications and marketing support for a comprehensive fundraising campaign, preferably for a college or university required.

Technical Knowledge or Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to craft substantive and cohesive messages based on an institutionâ™s strategic goals, communicate them successfully to key audiences, and adapt and adjust as appropriate over time.

• 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 Phoenix, the University's donor relationship management system, and the Microsoft Windows environment.

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.

Required Documents:

• Resume/CV

• Cover Letter

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 the Applicant Inquiry Form.

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: 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.

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