Director, Marketing and Communications

Discovery Partners Institute
Posting Category:

This role serves as DPI's chief marketing and communications officer and is responsible for leading brand strategy development, ongoing management growth and evolution, and for overseeing communications and outreach strategy to support DPI's goals to educate 7,000 learners per year, generate $200M in R&D revenue through grants and industry partnerships, and to build and attract tech businesses.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Lead marketing strategy development, implementation and measurement.
• Manage all facets of DPI's strategic communications and outreach strategy.
• Develop, manage and evolve a strategic brand framework, architecture design and messaging; enabling the organization to engage key audiences in a compelling and unified way.
• Develop marketing and communications messaging, design, content, channel and frictionless experience strategies that are audience centric and grow engagement with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, including university partners, industry, civic and non-profit partners, state, local and federal government, and the community at large.
• Develop DPI's content strategy, including opportunities for thought leadership and channels to distribute core DPI messages and relevant content.
• Serve as on-record spokesperson for DPI, developing and executing DPI press and media strategy, pitching stories and news for both local and national press.
• Oversee the development of all DPI marketing and communications print and digital material and assets, including emails and newsletters, pitch presentations, videos, press releases, social media and all DPI website properties etc.
• Work collaboratively with DPI program leadership to ensure core messages and outcomes of activity are effectively communicated, and work to research and identify program-specific audiences and coordinate marketing efforts.
• Work collaboratively with U of I System marketing and communications teams to ensure aligned and consistent messages, media responses and brand development, as well as aligned messaging and design with U of I System guidelines in all communications.
• Support executive-level communications regarding DPI, including working with U of I System's Executive Communications team on talking points for the U of I President and other messaging as needed.
• Use a data-driven approach to the discovery, reporting and optimization of marketing and communications performance and audience insights to enhance efficiency and effectiveness while driving growth.

Required:

Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications or related area, with 10 years of marketing, communications, public relations, journalism and/or related experience.

• Public/non-profit or Higher Education communications and/or marketing experience preferred;
• Experience managing a brand for growth.
• Demonstrated experience with marketing and communications strategy development.
• Direct and indirect team leadership
• Experience marketing new and existing programs for growth
• Superior written and verbal communication skills;
• Experience working collaboratively with all levels of an organization and across multiple partners;
• Experience working with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information
For full consideration, candidates must apply and submit a letter of application, resume, and names/addresses/phone numbers of three professional references by 6 pm on 4/16/2023 or visit https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/employment.

System Human Resource Services
(217) 333-2600
erhr@uillinois.edu

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. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the System Human Resource Services, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at 217-333-2600, or by emailing erhr@uillinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 9000477
Job Category: Academic Professional
Campus Location: Urbana