Description:

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

Agricultural and Consumer Economics

Marketing & Communications Manager, Soybean Innovation Laboratory

ACES-WE TRANSFORM LIVES

Everything we do is designed to improve the quality of life of the people in the state of Illinois, across the nation, and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminate knowledge to address societal concerns and train the next generation of experts and leaders in a way that empowers them to expand the boundaries of science to higher levels of understanding and influence. The Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics (ACE) is comprised of world-renowned faculty whose research and outreach programs influence national and international policymaking on issues ranging from how producers, consumers, and agribusinesses manage risk and adapt to climate change to the impacts of new technologies, environmental regulations, federal laws on profitability and human well-being.

The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or veteran status. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO.

Primary Position Function/Summary:

The primary function of the Marketing and Communications Manager is to direct, manage, lead, and oversee the Soybean Innovation Lab’s (SIL) strategic communication plan through design, implementation, and evaluation. The Marketing and Communications Manager will ensure that SIL’s strategic approach to communication and extension supports SIL networks to enable sustainable growth and to establish a formal communication feedback loop that benefits all stakeholders. The development and implementation of strategic marketing and communications tactics will continue to strengthen the Soybean Innovation Lab brand in technical research-for-development initiatives. The Marketing and Communications Manager will direct, manage, and lead all SIL marketing and communication efforts through various platforms including email, websites, social media, in-person and virtual events, promotional campaigns, and other effective platforms. The Marketing and Communications Manager will oversee communications and marketing team members both within SIL and collaborate with communications and marketing collaborators in other institutions. The Marketing and Communications Manager will oversee the entire research communication portfolio of SIL.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Communication Duties:

• Initiate, lead, execute, and evaluate SIL’s strategic communication plan.
• Develop, disseminate, and elicit feedback from partners on the usefulness and effectiveness of SIL communication materials, including the SIL weekly newsletter, bi-monthly webinar platform, email communication, policy briefs, annual reports, web-based platforms and tools, extension materials, video content, and other communication materials.
• Conceive the redesign and development of new materials that effectively meet the needs of SIL partners and lead dissemination efforts.
• Evaluate and assess SIL communication and extension materials to enable sustainable growth of SIL networks and to establish a formal communication loop that benefits all stakeholders.
• Determine metrics by which to evaluate the strength of SIL-supported networks and the effectiveness of SIL communication materials.
• Administer SIL website. Develop and oversee the creation of visual media or graphic elements of publications or web pages.
• Administer SIL social media content, enhance web presence, and oversee both internal and external communications; produce live social media coverage of events; stay current on social media in the marketplace and emerging platforms/tech/strategies.
• Work closely with institutional communications team members and contributors to identify, pursue, write, and edit relevant marketing materials to facilitate campaign goals.
• Track and analyze website and social media statistics for optimization; measures social media analytics; reports and recommends changes in social media strategy; provides counsel to social media managers across the university on strategy, analytics, and university expectations.
• Identify and lead contracting with internal/external consultants, such as video producers and graphic designers.
• Lead the selection, preparation, and submission of materials for award nominations on behalf of SIL partners, faculty, and staff.
• Oversee the lab’s communications and marketing budget.

Strategic Marketing Duties:

• Conceive, develop and implement comprehensive strategic marketing and communication events and campaigns that have quantifiable objectives, methods, outcomes and timelines.
• Direct the branding campaign, visual branding and online digital presence for SIL.
• Lead development of SIL weekly newsletter content.
• Lead development, implementation, and evaluation of marketing and advertising materials for websites, news releases, traditional and digital publications, exhibits, and other media communication vehicles in pursuit of strategic intent including design, layout and production of reports, promotional materials, and special publications.
• Conceive and lead the development of bi-monthly webinars; lead promotion efforts, planning, coordination, and implementation of live webinars.
• Collaborate with department and SIL leadership and faculty on speeches, presentations, and other communications for internal and external stakeholders.

Development Duties:

• Develop and manage databases for data collection related to SIL activity and impact data.
• Establish, cultivate, and foster relationships with the development community including the private sector, development agencies, USAID, donor agencies, and other actors, and identify and initiate new partnerships, in collaboration with SIL leadership.

Other Duties:

• Hire, train, evaluate, and supervise academic hourly employees, graduate students, and undergraduate student interns assisting with SIL strategic communication and marketing initiatives.
• Oversee marketing-related department equipment and materials.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Position Requirements and Qualifications:

Education:

Required: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, communications, public relations, or a closely related field.

Preferred: Master's Degree in marketing, communications, or other related degree.

Experience:

Required: Three years of professional experience in marketing, communications, public relations, brand management, or a related professional area. Demonstrated experience overseeing a marketing/communications strategy. Experience with communicating and promoting international development programs and initiatives. Demonstrated experience communicating technical and scientific research and publications. Professional experience managing social media channels and web-based platforms to enhance online presence.

Preferred: Five years of combined experience in international development communications. Experience communicating agricultural and economic research.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to multi-task in a high-paced environment.

Salaray and Appointment Infomration

This is a full-time Civil Service Marketing Associate position appointed on a twelve-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after February 16, 2021. Salary is commensurate with experience.

To Apply:

Applications must be received by January 22, 2021. Apply for this position using the “Apply for Position” button below. If you have not applied before, you must create your candidate profile at http://jobs.illinois.edu. If you already have a profile, you will be redirected to that existing profile via email notification. To complete the application process:

Step 1) Submit the Staff Vacancy Application.

Step 2) Submit the Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability forms.

Step 3) Upload the following documents:

cover letter

resume (months and years of employment must be included)

academic credentials (unofficial transcripts or copy of diploma may be acceptable) for all degrees attained

names/contact information for three references

In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position using the “Apply for Position” button below. Applications not submitted through this website will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, contact Courtney Tamimie at tamimi@illinois.edu or at 217-333-7425. For questions about the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer.

As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility.

The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.

College Name or Administrative Unit:ACES Category:2-Administrative Title:Marketing and Communications Manager, Soybean Innovation Laboratory - Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics (139035) Open Date:12/23/2020 Close Date:01/22/2021 Organization Name:Agr and Consumer Economics