Executive Director of Marketing and Communications

About the University of Illinois Chicago UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).

Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent "Best Colleges" rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities.

UIC has nearly 260,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

Job Description The Executive Director of Marketing and Communications provides strategic leadership for all internal and external marketing, communications, branding, and public relations functions for the College of Business. This senior leadership role is responsible for advancing the college's reputation, enrollment goals, fundraising priorities, and stakeholder engagement through integrated marketing and communications strategies aligned with the university’s mission and brand. The Executive Director serves as a key advisor to the Dean and college leadership, collaborates extensively with central university marketing and communications teams, and leads a high-performing team supporting undergraduate, graduate, executive education, research, alumni, corporate engagement, and development initiatives.

• Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year marketing and communications strategy that supports the College of Business’s strategic plan, enrollment targets, fundraising goals, and reputation management initiatives.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Sr Executive Dean of Strategic Initiatives and senior leadership on branding, positioning, messaging, and communications opportunities. Ensure alignment with university-wide brand standards, messaging frameworks, and marketing priorities.
• Lead brand management efforts to strengthen and differentiate the College of Business’s identity regionally, nationally, and globally.
• Oversee marketing campaigns supporting undergraduate, graduate, and executive education programs, including recruitment, retention, and student success initiatives.
• Direct market research, audience segmentation, and competitive analysis to inform strategy and investment decisions.
• Oversee internal and external communications, including websites, email marketing, social media, print materials, digital content, and advertising.
• Coordinate media relations strategy with University Communications, including proactive storytelling, rankings submissions, awards, and faculty expertise promotion.
• Develop crisis and issues communication plans for the college.
• Guide digital strategy across web, social media, and emerging platforms. Ensure consistent, compelling storytelling that highlights faculty research, student achievements, alumni impact, and corporate partnerships.
• Oversee analytics and reporting to measure effectiveness and ROI of marketing and communications efforts.
• Lead, develop, and mentor a professional marketing and communications team, including goal setting, performance management, and professional…