Associate Director of Communications - School of Molecular & Cellular Biology - College of LAS

Associate Director of Communications -School of Molecular & Cellular Biology

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign invites applications for an Associate Director of Communications.

Reporting to the Director of the School, the Associate Director of Communications will develop a communications plan targeting unit stakeholder group in partnership with School administrators, faculty, and professional staff. This person will oversee one staff member in executing this plan. This plan will use a variety of digital and print media to advance the strategic and programmatic interests of the School and its departments. The nature of the work will require frequent interaction with faculty, staff, and students both individually and in-group settings and, at times, alumni and donors in order to help communicate the School's research and teaching missions.

Duties & Responsibilities

Strategy and Leadership

• With input from the Director of the School and the School's Communications Committee, provides vision and direction to build the School's identity, messaging, and overall communications strategy in support of student recruitment, advancement, reputation, and community building priorities.
• Ensures brand consistency of all School materials across all media, and compliance with college and campus brand standards.
• Supervises communications specialist, ensuring his or her work supports office priorities and helps to deliver desired outcomes for the school.
• Hires and manages outside vendors as appropriate; this may include writers, photographers, and designers.
• Tracks and evaluates effectiveness of the communications team's work.

Implementation of Overall Communications Plan

• Implements or oversees implementation of all components of the School's communications plan, which may include: Develops and produces print publications including the MCB magazine, departmental newsletters, and program brochures promoting School's research and instruction missions. This includes coordinating and overseeing several projects at a time along with setting and adjusting work priorities to meet production deadlines.
• Researches, writes, composes, and edits announcements, press releases, and articles for dissemination through a variety print and electronic media.
• Works with the MCB Communications Committee to track news sources for articles featuring MCB departments, faculty, research, and instructional programs.
• Produces content for and maintains the websites of the School, its departments, and instructional program. Monitors and facilitates updates of time-sensitive web content (calendar items, announcements, features, highlights, job postings, etc.) either by direct action or by coordination with those responsible for specific content.
• Creates content, plans, and posts to School social media channels.
• Creates short videos, with assistance from technical specialists, to promote MCB.
• Assures compliance with campus and college regulations, policies, and standards.
• Maintains records associated with all aspects of MCB communications activity including articles, photos, graphics, print publications, videos, etc.

Advancement communications

• Creates a communications plan specifically for advancement to include fundraising and stewardship in partnership with College communications and advancement offices.
• Executes or oversees execution of all elements of this plan, including the creation of collateral materials, and monitors outcomes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, business administration, communications, public relations, or a closely related field.
• Five years (60 months) of professional work experience in marketing, public relations, communications, brand management, or a related professional area.
• Demonstrated professional work experience in communications, editorial, marketing, advertising, or project management
• Demonstrated professional work experience in developing a plan and adhering to established goals, budget, and timelines.
• Demonstrated professional work experience in developing social media campaigns.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in marketing, business administration, communications, public relations, or a closely related field.

• Six (6) years (72 months) of professional work experience in marketing, public relations, communications, brand management, or a related professional area.
• 3 years' of communications or marketing experience with an institution of higher education or similar environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic communications plans.
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience interacting with alumni and donors.
• Communications experience for fundraising processes and institutional advancement
• Experience with executive communications and speechwriting.
• Experience collaborating with senior leadership and faculty stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Successful candidates will have excellent leadership skills and excellent communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with a variety of individuals in an academic setting.
• Self-starter with the ability to plan and prioritize.
• Knowledge in project planning and management and team leadership.
• Ability to use good judgement and solid decision-making and conflict resolution skills.

Appointment Information

This is a full-time Civil Service 5004 - Marketing Associate position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the deadline date. The budgeted salary range for this position is $80,000-$92,000. Final salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints. This position will be expected to work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on a full-time basis per the University's Workplace Flexibility policy. This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6pm (Central Time) on October 23, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting and upload your cover letter, resume, and names/contact information for three professional references. Please remember to include specific information on how you meet the qualifications of the position in your application materials, including all relevant experiences. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position.. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact mcb-hr@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

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.

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.

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.

The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.