Director of Marketing and Communications

University of Illinois Extension seeks an accomplished,
visionary, and collaborative communications leader to serve as Director of
Marketing and Communications. The successful candidate will provide strategic
leadership for Illinois Extension's statewide marketing, communications, and
brand enterprise.

WHO WE ARE
As part of the Land Grant system, the University of Illinois
was established not only to provide world class education and pioneer research
and discovery, but to put learning and discovery into practice, to benefit the
health and wellbeing of residents and communities in every part of Illinois.
Extension is the university's statewide network of educators, faculty experts,
and staff dedicated to that mission. To learn more about University of Illinois
Extension, visit https://extension.illinois.edu/global/who-we-are.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYEES
We will invest in our employees, our most important
resource, by providing professional development and training that enables you
to learn and grow to your full potential. We will strive to provide a healthy
work-life balance for all our employees, regardless of role. Together, we will
maintain a culture that promotes inclusivity, teamwork, and an environment that
challenges and rewards our employees.

JOB PURPOSE
The Director develops and executes an integrated communications and marketing
strategy that advances Extension's mission, strengthens organizational
reputation, increases public awareness and engagement, and demonstrates the
value of Extension's research-based programs to stakeholders throughout
Illinois and beyond. Serves as the
organization's chief communications strategist, leading statewide initiatives
in brand management, marketing, media relations, digital communications,
executive communications, storytelling, crisis communications, and public
engagement.

The Director cultivates a culture of innovation, creativity,
collaboration, and continuous improvement while ensuring communications efforts
align with the strategic priorities of Illinois Extension, the College of ACES,
and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

• Master's degree in communications, marketing, or other relevant field. Candidates
  with a Master's degree in progress may be considered for interviews, but
  degree must be completed by hire date.
• Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in communications and/or marketing.
• Experience in developing and evaluating the effectiveness of print and digital materials.
• Demonstrated success in the promotion/reporting of educational programs.
• Experience with crisis communications.

• Public sector communications and marketing.
• Supervision and evaluation of personnel working in creative services, publicity and promotions, public affairs, and/or government relations.
• Valid driver's license.

SPECIFIC
JOB INFORMATION:
One full-time position is available.
Location: Urbana-Champaign
Campus. Hybrid work may be available, but onsite work in Urbana-Champaign is
required.

This is
a security-sensitive position. Comprehensive background checks, including but not limited to a criminal
conviction information check, a CANTS check, and a review of the Registered Sex
Offender list, will be conducted.

Ability to promote creativity, vision, and successful communications efforts. Strong communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work within a team environment.

Knowledge of issues/best practices for science communications; knowledge of social media best practices, analytics and SEO strategies; ability to work with public and private organizations; mission of University of Illinois Extension, the land-grant system, and University of Illinois policies and procedures.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Organizational Leadership and Strategic
Communications:

• Provide visionary leadership for
  Illinois Extension's statewide marketing and communications enterprise by
  developing long-term strategies that strengthen organizational reputation,
  increase public awareness, and position Illinois Extension as the trusted
  source of research-based information for the people of Illinois.
• Develop and implement
  an integrated statewide marketing and communications strategy aligned with the
  Illinois Extension Strategic Plan as well as Extension, Extension Units,
  college and university priorities.
• Serve as steward of the
  Illinois Extension brand, ensuring consistent messaging, visual identity,
  voice, and positioning across all communications channels as well as alignment
  with Extension Units and Unit goals.
• Advise leadership on
  executive communications, organizational messaging, media strategy, reputation
  management, and issues management.
• Lead organizational
  communication during periods of change, crisis, or emerging public issues.
• Foster and support
  deeper partnerships with the 27 off-campus Extension Units across Illinois.
• Represent Illinois
  Extension in university-wide communications initiatives and serve as liaison
  with ACES Marketing and Communications, University Strategic Communications and
  Marketing, and other campus partners.
• Develop communication
  policies, governance, and standards that support organizational excellence.

Marketing, Brand Strategy, and
Public Engagement:

• Develop comprehensive marketing campaigns that measurably
  increase awareness of Extension programs and expand participation among new
  audiences.
• Lead statewide brand strategy and positioning initiatives.
• Support legislative outreach, advancement initiatives, donor
  engagement, workforce recruitment, volunteer recruitment, and strategic
  partnerships through coordinated communications both for statewide Extension
  and Extension Units.
• Guide audience research, market segmentation, customer
  experience, and outreach strategies.
• Oversee annual impact reports, multimedia storytelling
  initiatives, statewide campaigns, and organizational publications both for
  statewide Extension and Extension Units.
  

Communications Operations and
Digital Strategies:

• Provide leadership for creative services, publications, digital
  communications, web strategy, social media, multimedia production, media
  relations, and content development.
• Guide adoption of emerging communications technologies,
  including artificial intelligence, marketing automation, and accessibility best
  practices.
• Use analytics, website metrics, campaign performance, and
  audience engagement data to lead continuous improvement.
• Establish standards for editorial quality, accessibility, and
  content strategy.
  

Leadership, Personnel, and
Organizational Development:

• Lead, supervise, coach, and develop the statewide Extension Marketing
  and Communications team.
• Develop organizational capacity through mentoring, succession
  planning, and professional development.
• Promote collaboration across Extension Program Teams, Regional Offices,
  Unit Offices, and University Partners with Extension MarCom.
  

Professional Development and
Innovation:

• Remain current on emerging trends in strategic communications,
  integrated marketing, science communication, analytics, artificial
  intelligence, and higher education communications.
• Represent Illinois Extension through professional organizations
  and national collaborations.
  

Other Responsibilities:

• Assist unit staff with
  gathering program participant demographic information to ensure compliance with
  civil rights reporting requirements.
• Personal transportation
  required; occasional state-wide travel will be required.

Physical
Demands/Working Conditions
When working, the employee may be exposed to a variety of
environmental factors to include, but not limited to, hot or cold weather,
exposure to noise and allergens, and uneven ground. In performing the functions of this position,
the employee may be subjected to various physical demands including ability to
move, transfer and/or transport items that may occasionally weigh up to forty
(40) pounds and frequently weigh up to twenty (20) pounds, and twisting,
pushing and pulling movements.

Work Schedule, Travel, Or Other Job Expectations
To perform the functions of this position, the employee will
be required to perform work both within an office and outside in the
communities that are served and must have the capability to travel from one
location to the other in a timely fashion. Employee is responsible for securing personal transportation. Some work
will be required during evenings and/or weekends.

Appointment
Information
This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work
authorization. This position is a full-time, benefits-eligible, non-tenure
academic professional position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as
possible after the closing date. The previously
determined salary range for this position was $90,000 to $105,000. We strive to
provide a competitive salary while taking into consideration internal equity,
candidate experience and qualifications, as well as budget constraints. The
final salary offer will be determined through a calculation involving these
elements. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at the top
of the full range for this position.

Application
Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be
received by 6:00 pm (CST) on October 7, 2026. Apply for this position
using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload a resume, cover letter, and
the names and contact information for three professional references. Resume
dates submitted must be in month/year format and employment history, at
a minimum, should include all work dating back to the completion of your
undergraduate degree. Positions that were less than full-time/100% must be
noted as being part-time. Transcripts may be requested at a later date. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered.

For further information about this specific
position, please contact Doug Harlan at dharlan@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application
process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state's flagship public university and one of the world's leading research institutions - every staff member helps shape what's next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you're empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence - where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

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 accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1038285

Job Category: Off-Campus

Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu