Job Description:

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Creative and Communications, the Associate Director of Content & Editorial will define the editorial and narrative direction for the earned media and recruitment strategies for many of UChicagoâ™s masters and professional degree programs in collaboration with key UChicago graduate programs. This position will develop processes and standards for content creation, aggregation, and distribution. This individual will be an accomplished storyteller and editor who brings to life the unique characteristics of masters and professional education at UChicago through a wide range of content types including but not limited to: editorial, email, video, collateral, and social media. The Associate Director of Content & Editorial is responsible for evolving and executing a content marketing strategy, brand voice, and content creation to drive marketing and communications activities for UChicagoâ™s graduate divisions and professional schools.

The Associate Director of Content & Editorial will also establish and steward a process for reporting and story discovery and performing a content audit for UChicago graduate divisions and professional schools. This position is responsible for creating and aggregating a variety of original content to be utilized across multiple platforms. They will build and maintain relationships with industry leading content delivery platforms, publishers, and thought leaders to grow awareness for graduate and professional education at UChicago through earned media placement.

The Associate Director of Content & Editorial will develop deep understanding of UChicagoâ™s target audience and academic divisions, schools, and programs. They will align the right messages to support admissions and enrollment. The Associate Director must embrace and embody the mission and values of UChicago through personal, professional, and academic narratives including student, faculty, and alumni profiles, faculty research, and culturally relevant commentary to enhance recruitment and brand building efforts.

The ideal candidate is a passionate champion of higher education with experience distilling and making relevant complex academic concepts, value propositions, and data in a compelling and purposeful way. They will play a critical role in defining the UChicago masters and professional education brand voice and online presence. They understand content distribution strategy and will monitor and optimize content to increase effectiveness. The Associate Director of Content & Editorial will enhance UChicagoâ™s online presence through a range of distribution channel strategies. They will play a fundamental role in developing a suite of marketing assets that will be leveraged by most UChicago divisions and programs.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary content and editorial point of contact/steward for UChicago masters and professional education recruitment and enrollment.
• Establish and maintain relationships with UChicago masters and professional education academic, recruitment, and marketing partners to define content, strategy, standards, and distribution operations.
• Create and evolve content marketing strategies, direct campaigns, and editorial voice through paid and earned media.
• Implement annual editorial calendar and communications plan that aligns with the strategic goals, recruitment, brand, messaging platform and deepens relationships and engagement with key audiences.
• Independently and accurately curate, write, assign, edit, and publish content across the Universityâ™s news sites, social media platforms, and external media outlets in collaboration with UChicago masters and professional education communications and marketing.
• Participate in strategic planning with colleagues across UChicago departments, divisions, and programs, to ensure brand compliance, consistency, and achievement of common goals.
• Research and resolve content of concern and respond appropriately and professionally. Monitor and evaluate content effectiveness through analytic tools to identify new directions that resonate with key audiences.
• Lead all earned media efforts for editorial and topical content including profiles, academic research, awards, and events. This will include creating and editing original editorial content, reporting, interviewing participants, and managing earned media strategy. Report on earned media placement and content performance.

Competencies:

• Proficient in use of Microsoft 365, CMS, and Google Analytics. Experience with InCopy a plus.
• Professional understanding of platforms including, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and other emerging channels.
• Experience championing the values of higher education to diverse audiences around the world.
• Experience assigning, editing, and proofing a variety of stories/assets related to concurrent projects, and clients. Experience as a managing editor a plus.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of editorial and marketing communications content strategy.
• Highly proficient in direct campaigns (email, landing pages, etc.). Ability to write headlines and captions.
• Knowledgeable in visual storytelling including video production, photography, and narrative UX best practices. Experience photo editing and captioning a plus.
• Experience researching, identifying, and recommending story ideas. Able to oversee all reporting, discovery, and publishing operations within this portfolio.
• Stays abreast of best practices regarding student recruitment and marketing techniques and strategies to assist in meeting enrollment projections.

Education, Experience or Certifications:

Education:

• Bachelorâ™s degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment and 5 years of experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience required. Masters degree preferred.

Experience:

• Proven creator that understands audience and delivery, candidate is able weave brand voice and variation into a cohesive & compelling expression of voice and value.
• Effective interpersonal skills. Must be able to establish and maintain relationships with external and internal audiences.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and respond appropriately to time-sensitive issues.
• Must be able to manage multiple projects and prioritize workload.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Experience with higher education content a plus and/or recruitment experience.

Required Documents:

Candidates must submit all required documents to be considered for this position.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Three references

NOTE: When applying, all required documents MUST be uploaded the Resume/CV section of the application

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form.

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