University of Chicago
Senior Associate Director of Advancement Communications
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Senior Associate Director of Advancement Communications
About The Department
Crown Alumni Relations and Development
As one of the first schools of social work in the United States, the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice has shaped the field for more than 100 years. As part of the University of Chicago, the Crown Family School shares the University's core values and distinctive intellectual culture. Crown Family School faculty, staff and students focus on identifying solutions to complex problems through the integration of research, training, and direct community engagement. Guided by an interdisciplinary tradition, Crown Family School scholars conduct innovative research to address interconnected social challenges such as educational inequality, health disparities, crime and violence, poverty, and child and family welfare—working at multiple scales, from individual to policy-level interventions.
The Crown Family School is the home of several academic centers, including the Susan and Richard Kiphart Center for Global Health and Social Development, the Urban Education Institute (UEI), the Center for Climate, Health and Society, the Smart Decarceration Project, and the Employment Instability, Family Well-being, and Social Policy Network (EINet). More information may be found at https://crownschool.uchicago.edu/.
Job Summary The Senior Associate Director advances the mission of the Crown Family School by leading and implementing comprehensive communication strategies for the Advancement team. The role develops cohesive narratives across digital and print platforms to enhance the visibility and impact of Advancement initiatives and the capital campaign. It collaborates with Advancement leadership to support strategic editorial projects and seeks innovative approaches to engage alumni, donors, volunteers, and friends, fostering connection and philanthropic support for the school. This position serves as the primary liaison for the Advancement team to marketing and communications teams, working closely with senior leadership to support broader organizational goals.
The ideal candidate is a collaborative and strategic communicator, proficient with digital tools, and passionate about leveraging technology to encourage alumni engagement and drive fundraising success. The role combines creativity with strong project management skills, thrives in a team environment, and excels at building relationships across departments. It requires a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to advancing the Crown Family School’s mission through effective and purposeful communication.
Responsibilities
Provide consultative support and serve as the primary point of contact, engaging with faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders to develop marketing and communication materials that inspire philanthropic contributions and strengthen affinity for the school.
Advise strategy adjustments by monitoring industry trends, researching new technology options, and analyzing key digital metrics to enhance content performance, audience engagement, and resource allocation.
Plan, execute, and optimize multi-channel campaigns and communications plans (print, email, web, social) with a consistent voice and alignment with university-wide standards.
Develop and implement data-informed communications and digital strategies to support alumni relations, fundraising materials, events, and stewardship.
Write, edit, and produce a wide range of advancement communications, including fundraising appeals, stewardship reports, proposals, digital content, and impact stories.
Design visually engaging materials and digital graphics for alumni, donors, and community audiences.
Create digital content for advancement webpages, social media, and newsletters with a focus on storytelling and community engagement.
Manage advancement communications assets, platforms, and editorial calendars, aligning content with organizational goals and campaigns.
Collaborate with central Advancement and school leadership to implement a communications and marketing plan that supports campaign goals and aligns with the university’s core message.
Design and craft compelling proposals, email marketing, and content to inspire donors and expand the school’s campaign reach.
Establish and maintain effective vendor relationships, including with writers and designers; create schedules and project plans, production timelines, traffic files, and ensure high quality, on-time delivery.
Disseminate information to keep the public informed of the organization’s programs and achievements.
Address moderately complex problems related to writing, preparation, and delivery of information from or about the unit.
Education and Experience Minimum Qualifications
A college or university degree in a related field.
Work Experience
5-7 years of work experience in a related discipline.
Preferred Qualifications Education
Master’s Degree in communications, journalism, English, or related field.
Communications experience including oversight of web content in higher education, nonprofit, marketing communications agency, or other relevant experience driving branding efforts.
Photography, video, and/or graphic design is a plus.
Familiarity with the University of Chicago and the field of social work is a plus.
Technical and Competencies:
Salesforce, Mailchimp or similar email platforms, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint), Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign); superior writing and editing skills; strong interpersonal and listening skills; client service orientation; creative problem-solving; time management and multi-tasking; ability to work under tight deadlines.
Willingness to travel to campus and/or non-campus locations and occasional evenings and weekends.
Working Conditions
Hybrid work schedule, on-site at the Hyde Park campus in Chicago.
Occasional evenings and weekends.
Application Documents
Resume (required)
Cover letter (required)
Design portfolio (required)
When applying, the document(s) must be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Details
Job Family: Communications
Role Impact: Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40
Pay Rate Type: Salary
FLSA Status: Exempt
Pay Range: $80,000.00 - $92,000.00
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Posting and Equal Opportunity The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Applicants needing accommodation may contact 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers are contingent upon a background check. The University’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report can be accessed online at http://securityreport.uchicago.edu.
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Crown Alumni Relations and Development
As one of the first schools of social work in the United States, the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice has shaped the field for more than 100 years. As part of the University of Chicago, the Crown Family School shares the University's core values and distinctive intellectual culture. Crown Family School faculty, staff and students focus on identifying solutions to complex problems through the integration of research, training, and direct community engagement. Guided by an interdisciplinary tradition, Crown Family School scholars conduct innovative research to address interconnected social challenges such as educational inequality, health disparities, crime and violence, poverty, and child and family welfare—working at multiple scales, from individual to policy-level interventions.
The Crown Family School is the home of several academic centers, including the Susan and Richard Kiphart Center for Global Health and Social Development, the Urban Education Institute (UEI), the Center for Climate, Health and Society, the Smart Decarceration Project, and the Employment Instability, Family Well-being, and Social Policy Network (EINet). More information may be found at https://crownschool.uchicago.edu/.
Job Summary The Senior Associate Director advances the mission of the Crown Family School by leading and implementing comprehensive communication strategies for the Advancement team. The role develops cohesive narratives across digital and print platforms to enhance the visibility and impact of Advancement initiatives and the capital campaign. It collaborates with Advancement leadership to support strategic editorial projects and seeks innovative approaches to engage alumni, donors, volunteers, and friends, fostering connection and philanthropic support for the school. This position serves as the primary liaison for the Advancement team to marketing and communications teams, working closely with senior leadership to support broader organizational goals.
The ideal candidate is a collaborative and strategic communicator, proficient with digital tools, and passionate about leveraging technology to encourage alumni engagement and drive fundraising success. The role combines creativity with strong project management skills, thrives in a team environment, and excels at building relationships across departments. It requires a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to advancing the Crown Family School’s mission through effective and purposeful communication.
Responsibilities
Provide consultative support and serve as the primary point of contact, engaging with faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders to develop marketing and communication materials that inspire philanthropic contributions and strengthen affinity for the school.
Advise strategy adjustments by monitoring industry trends, researching new technology options, and analyzing key digital metrics to enhance content performance, audience engagement, and resource allocation.
Plan, execute, and optimize multi-channel campaigns and communications plans (print, email, web, social) with a consistent voice and alignment with university-wide standards.
Develop and implement data-informed communications and digital strategies to support alumni relations, fundraising materials, events, and stewardship.
Write, edit, and produce a wide range of advancement communications, including fundraising appeals, stewardship reports, proposals, digital content, and impact stories.
Design visually engaging materials and digital graphics for alumni, donors, and community audiences.
Create digital content for advancement webpages, social media, and newsletters with a focus on storytelling and community engagement.
Manage advancement communications assets, platforms, and editorial calendars, aligning content with organizational goals and campaigns.
Collaborate with central Advancement and school leadership to implement a communications and marketing plan that supports campaign goals and aligns with the university’s core message.
Design and craft compelling proposals, email marketing, and content to inspire donors and expand the school’s campaign reach.
Establish and maintain effective vendor relationships, including with writers and designers; create schedules and project plans, production timelines, traffic files, and ensure high quality, on-time delivery.
Disseminate information to keep the public informed of the organization’s programs and achievements.
Address moderately complex problems related to writing, preparation, and delivery of information from or about the unit.
Education and Experience Minimum Qualifications
A college or university degree in a related field.
Work Experience
5-7 years of work experience in a related discipline.
Preferred Qualifications Education
Master’s Degree in communications, journalism, English, or related field.
Communications experience including oversight of web content in higher education, nonprofit, marketing communications agency, or other relevant experience driving branding efforts.
Photography, video, and/or graphic design is a plus.
Familiarity with the University of Chicago and the field of social work is a plus.
Technical and Competencies:
Salesforce, Mailchimp or similar email platforms, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint), Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign); superior writing and editing skills; strong interpersonal and listening skills; client service orientation; creative problem-solving; time management and multi-tasking; ability to work under tight deadlines.
Willingness to travel to campus and/or non-campus locations and occasional evenings and weekends.
Working Conditions
Hybrid work schedule, on-site at the Hyde Park campus in Chicago.
Occasional evenings and weekends.
Application Documents
Resume (required)
Cover letter (required)
Design portfolio (required)
When applying, the document(s) must be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Details
Job Family: Communications
Role Impact: Individual Contributor
Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40
Pay Rate Type: Salary
FLSA Status: Exempt
Pay Range: $80,000.00 - $92,000.00
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Posting and Equal Opportunity The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Applicants needing accommodation may contact 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers are contingent upon a background check. The University’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report can be accessed online at http://securityreport.uchicago.edu.
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at University of Chicago by 2x.
#J-18808-Ljbffr