Communications & Digital Content Specialist - Applied Health Sciences

The Communications and Digital Content Specialist develops and executes strategic communications and digital content that advance the reputation, visibility, and mission of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Applied Health Sciences. Working as a key member of the College's Marketing and Communications team, this position translates complex health, science, and research topics alongside human-centered stories into compelling content for diverse a wide array of audiences and channels.

The position is responsible for developing written, visual, and multimedia content that highlights the accomplishments and impact of the college's faculty, staff, students, alumni, programs, research, facilities, and community partnerships. Responsibilities include strategic communications planning, media relations, editorial development, social media strategy and management, photography, basic videography, digital content management, and supervision of student interns. This position will be located on-site at the Urbana Champaign campus with the potential for 1 - 2 days of remote work.

Communications and Writing

• Develop and implement strategic communications plans and campaigns that advance the college’s priorities and reputation and engage internal and external audiences.
• Research, write, edit, and distribute news releases, feature stories, faculty and student profiles, web content, newsletters, email communications, publications, and other editorial content.
• Translate complex scientific and academic research into clear, accurate, and engaging content for non-specialist audiences while maintaining appropriate scholarly context and accuracy.
• Develop talking points, speeches, presentations, brochures, flyers, digital signage, campaign materials, and other communications.
• Acquire and maintain a detailed working knowledge of the college’s faculty research agenda, expertise, publications, awards, programs, and events.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with campus communicators, journalists, media outlets, and other external partners to increase visibility for college experts, research, and accomplishments.
• Monitor social media for comments, responses and emerging issues relevant to the college and proactively identify opportunities for expert commentary, media coverage, and strategic storytelling.
• Coordinate communications coverage for events and activities, including on-site reporting, photography, interviews, and real-time digital content.
• Provide communications counsel and editorial support to faculty, staff, leadership, and college units as appropriate.

Social media strategy and content development

• Lead the development and implementation of the college’s social media strategy, including editorial planning, content calendars, audience engagement, scheduling, publishing, and performance metrics across appropriate platforms in accordance with campus brand standards and Mar Com goals.
• Develop original, accurate, timely, engaging platform-appropriate content that increases awareness of people, programs, research, events, and impact.
• Monitor social media trends, audience behavior, and emerging platforms and recommend strategies to increase reach, engagement, and relevance.
• Represent the college at campus-wide social media meetings and professional development opportunities.
• Lead photography, including planning, capturing, selecting, editing, organizing, and maintaining a high-quality library of images.
• Coordinate photography and videography requests in collaboration with the project manager and freelancers.
• Produce and edit basic…