Director, Digital Communications

Department
 

ARD Marketing and 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 is the central communications resource for ARD staff. Our team of communications experts, editors, designers, web developers, and project managers help ARD staff reach and engage alumni and other donors in strategic ways to accomplish our goals.

Job Summary
 

The job manages a team of professional staff responsible for software support and/or development. Creates standards and operating procedures in the analysis, design, development, debugging, and modification of computer code for end user applications, beta general releases, and production support. Manages the development and implementation of applications, web pages, and user-interfaces using a variety of software applications, techniques, and tools.

Responsibilities

• Develops and guides the execution of an innovative strategy for ARD’s online presence and social media communications. Conducts ongoing analysis to measure success, making real-time adjustments to sustain growth and optimize for conversions.
• Collaborates with ARD colleagues to develop, implement, and adapt marketing strategies for discrete projects in support of ARD’s mission.
• Partners with the senior director of marketing to develop a long-term vision and plan for selection, development, implementation, and integration of digital tools, including websites, web and mobile applications, HTML email tools, online giving infrastructure, social media tools and platforms. Actively participates in new technology initiatives and plans for future state needs.
• Represents ARD Communications in cross-departmental collaborations and working groups to support technology planning and to build and strengthen internal and cross-campus relationships. Collaborates with internal and cross-campus teams to be a digital communications resource and recommend best practices and strategy.
• Leads strategy and operations of the Digital Communications team within ARD Communications, overseeing general management of the Digital Communications team, vendors, and consultants. In partnership with the Director of Operations, manage the digital communications budget.
• Seeks 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.
• Manages employees by establishing annual performance goals, allocating resources, assessing annual performance, and determining individual merit, incentive and/or promotional increases. Provides technical oversight and develops standards, guidelines, and processes for application systems.
• Advises decisions on project and infrastructure needs, including the evaluation of server technologies, languages, platforms, and frameworks. Develops timelines and project plans for the team.
• Performs 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 7+ 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 seven years of professional experience in communications, marketing, public relations nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, sales or similar professional work experience.
• Minimum four years leading a project team or managing staff.
• Minimum two years developing and monitoring budgets.
• Managing large, complex projects (including websites) with multiple stakeholders and constituent groups.
• Online and digital communications strategy.
• Working with executive leadership.
• Working with staff and customer offices to understand and articulate business processes, data, and organizational priorities.
• Developing and refining business processes and associated documentation.
• Experience within a higher education environment.

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.
• Defining and maintaining digital communications tools such as websites, web applications and HTML email programs.
• Identifying and documenting functional specifications for digital tools such as website, web applications and content management systems (CMS).
• Knowledge of web standards and best practices.

Preferred Competencies

• Build, lead, mentor, and motivate a diverse team, and to encourage growth and change in both people and programs. A strong commitment to personal and professional development, and the ability to foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment.
• 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, speak, and write effectively.
• Self-motivation and the ability to take initiative.

Working Conditions

• Standard office environment.
• Travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business.
• Work evenings and weekends as needed.

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
 

Information Technology

Role Impact
 

People Manager

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Requires Compliance with University Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement
 

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.