The University of Chicago
Department
Want to make an application Make sure your CV is up to date, then read the following job specs carefully before applying. ARD Marketing & Communications
About the Department
Alumni Relations and Development (ARD) engages alumni (~220k), current students, parents, and friends of the University through intellectual, professional and social activities on campus, around the world and online. ARD raises $600 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 Marketing and Communications partners with colleagues within ARD and across the University to advance ambitious goals in fundraising and constituent engagement. The marketing and communications team produces 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.
Job Summary
Serving as a member of the marketing strategy team and working collaboratively with campus leadership and marketing and communications partners across Alumni Relations and Development (ARD), the Lead Marketing Strategist will develop and implement strategic plans focused on strengthening the UChicago brand reputation and supporting long-term alumni engagement. This position is also responsible for additional support for the overall marketing communications team and is responsible for a wide variety of functions that support and build effectiveness in strategic marketing and provider engagement.
This role independently plans, develops, designs, and implements the strategic and tactical marketing plans for a department, program, product or business. Coordinates and evaluates the production of marketing communication and research programs.
Responsibilities
Collaborates with cross-functional teams, including communications, design, media, social media, web, annual giving, and alumni volunteer engagement, to develop and execute integrated marketing strategies that align with organizational goals and engage target audiences effectively.
Leads the creation and execution of comprehensive marketing plans for various initiatives, ensuring strategies are aligned with desired outcomes and the target audience’s preferences, while adapting to industry trends and best practices.
Maintains a deep understanding of brand marketing, marketing channels, and audience behavior, continuously researching and applying the latest trends to improve campaigns and drive measurable results.
Monitors the competitive landscape and industry developments to identify new opportunities, adjusting marketing strategies as needed to advance the University's objectives and enhance its competitive position.
Partners with internal teams and external agencies to evaluate campaign performance, utilizing data and analytics to measure success, identify areas for improvement, and make recommendations for future marketing initiatives.
Coordinates and aligns marketing strategies across multiple projects and teams, ensuring that goals, deadlines, and resources are effectively managed to maximize impact and meet organizational objectives.
Oversees the development and execution of strategic marketing plans for specific departments or functional areas, including market research, data collection, target market definition, project timelines, and content creation.
Manages relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including vendors and University leadership, providing expertise in curating marketing plans and ensuring their successful execution across various initiatives, events, and programs.
Provides mentorship and guidance to junior marketing staff, fostering professional development and ensuring the team works efficiently to execute marketing strategies while also recommending process improvements to enhance operations.
Leads ad-hoc projects from inception to completion, developing marketing recommendations, presenting findings to senior leadership, and ensuring alignment with broader organizational goals while responding to stakeholder requests and inquiries as needed.
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.
Develops one or more of the following marketing functions: marketing communications and advertising, web blogs or other digital marketing, and market research. Reviews and updates marketing infrastructure which may include one or more database systems, the intranet, and external websites.
May participate in developing new products and services and determining new markets. Acts as a resource for and trains lower level marketing staff. May attend trade shows as needed.
May assist managing relationships with external sales agencies.
Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
---
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s or advanced degree.
Experience:
Minimum five years of professional experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales or similar professional work experience.
Background with data analysis and communicating complex topics to non-technical people.
Managing cross-team projects.
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 Phoenix (the University's Donor Relationship Management System), Microsoft Windows computer environment, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.
Preferred Competencies
Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively. Explain complex ideas clearly and simply.
Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.
Self-motivated and take initiative.
Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.
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 the 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
Scheduled
Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$76,500.00 - $90,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or 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.
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Want to make an application Make sure your CV is up to date, then read the following job specs carefully before applying. ARD Marketing & Communications
About the Department
Alumni Relations and Development (ARD) engages alumni (~220k), current students, parents, and friends of the University through intellectual, professional and social activities on campus, around the world and online. ARD raises $600 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 Marketing and Communications partners with colleagues within ARD and across the University to advance ambitious goals in fundraising and constituent engagement. The marketing and communications team produces 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.
Job Summary
Serving as a member of the marketing strategy team and working collaboratively with campus leadership and marketing and communications partners across Alumni Relations and Development (ARD), the Lead Marketing Strategist will develop and implement strategic plans focused on strengthening the UChicago brand reputation and supporting long-term alumni engagement. This position is also responsible for additional support for the overall marketing communications team and is responsible for a wide variety of functions that support and build effectiveness in strategic marketing and provider engagement.
This role independently plans, develops, designs, and implements the strategic and tactical marketing plans for a department, program, product or business. Coordinates and evaluates the production of marketing communication and research programs.
Responsibilities
Collaborates with cross-functional teams, including communications, design, media, social media, web, annual giving, and alumni volunteer engagement, to develop and execute integrated marketing strategies that align with organizational goals and engage target audiences effectively.
Leads the creation and execution of comprehensive marketing plans for various initiatives, ensuring strategies are aligned with desired outcomes and the target audience’s preferences, while adapting to industry trends and best practices.
Maintains a deep understanding of brand marketing, marketing channels, and audience behavior, continuously researching and applying the latest trends to improve campaigns and drive measurable results.
Monitors the competitive landscape and industry developments to identify new opportunities, adjusting marketing strategies as needed to advance the University's objectives and enhance its competitive position.
Partners with internal teams and external agencies to evaluate campaign performance, utilizing data and analytics to measure success, identify areas for improvement, and make recommendations for future marketing initiatives.
Coordinates and aligns marketing strategies across multiple projects and teams, ensuring that goals, deadlines, and resources are effectively managed to maximize impact and meet organizational objectives.
Oversees the development and execution of strategic marketing plans for specific departments or functional areas, including market research, data collection, target market definition, project timelines, and content creation.
Manages relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including vendors and University leadership, providing expertise in curating marketing plans and ensuring their successful execution across various initiatives, events, and programs.
Provides mentorship and guidance to junior marketing staff, fostering professional development and ensuring the team works efficiently to execute marketing strategies while also recommending process improvements to enhance operations.
Leads ad-hoc projects from inception to completion, developing marketing recommendations, presenting findings to senior leadership, and ensuring alignment with broader organizational goals while responding to stakeholder requests and inquiries as needed.
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.
Develops one or more of the following marketing functions: marketing communications and advertising, web blogs or other digital marketing, and market research. Reviews and updates marketing infrastructure which may include one or more database systems, the intranet, and external websites.
May participate in developing new products and services and determining new markets. Acts as a resource for and trains lower level marketing staff. May attend trade shows as needed.
May assist managing relationships with external sales agencies.
Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Certifications:
---
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s or advanced degree.
Experience:
Minimum five years of professional experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales or similar professional work experience.
Background with data analysis and communicating complex topics to non-technical people.
Managing cross-team projects.
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 Phoenix (the University's Donor Relationship Management System), Microsoft Windows computer environment, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.
Preferred Competencies
Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively. Explain complex ideas clearly and simply.
Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.
Self-motivated and take initiative.
Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.
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 the 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
Scheduled
Weekly Hours
37.5
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Rate Type
Salary
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$76,500.00 - $90,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or 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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr