Director Advancement Communications

University of Illinois at Chicago - College of Dentistry

With approximately 29,000 students and more than 13,000 employees, UIC is Chicago’s largest public research university and second-largest university employer. University of Illinois at Chicago has 15 top-ranking colleges and a health sciences system that includes a hospital, clinics and seven health sciences colleges. Our mission, for our students as well as for our faculty and staff, is to provide access to excellence and success.

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Position Details

Director Advancement Communications
Job
Full-time
3/19/2019
Chicago Illinois
Chicago, IL

The College of Dentistry, Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs, at the University of Illinois at Chicago is seeking a full-time Director for Advancement Communications to serve as the College’s chief communicator/public relations official with various outside audiences: alumni, donors, the public, and public officials, and with UIC and College faculty, staff, and students. The Director for Advancement Communications is responsible for communications, which include but are not limited to, alumni relations, major donor solicitation and recognition, annual funds, and corporate and foundation relations. This includes disseminating news and information about the College to all audiences, in written, printed, and electronic forms. The Director for Advancement Communications also serves as the Dean’s liaison to Governmental Affairs.

Alumni Affairs:

  • Write, edit, and oversee the production, design, scheduling, and distribution of College’s publications related to the Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs, including College magazine, newsletters, e-newsletters, annual reports, fundraising proposals, and other print and electronic publications. 
  • Serve as Editor in-Chief for Vision magazine, liaison to University alumni publications, UIC Marketing and Communications Staff, UIC Advancement Communicators, and University Public and Government Affairs Office. Works closely with Associate Dean for Advancement for the College of Dentistry and the Office of the Dean. 
  • Prepare written remarks for the Dean, Associate Dean for Advancement, and other speakers for alumni engagement and donor relations events. 
  • Manage RFP process and vendors for all outsourced jobs supporting the communications function, including publication production vendors such as graphic designers, pre-press, printing, and post-production professionals. 
  • Manage advertising function for College publications that contain paid advertising. Work with advertisers on placement and content. Negotiate advertising rates with paid advertisers.

Advancement:

  • Write and edit fundraising proposals to solicit major gifts and other funds from individuals and corporations, organizations, and agencies. 
  • Draft stewardship reports and endowment reports in collaboration with the UIC Advancement team and the University of Illinois Foundation.

Government Affairs/Public Relations:

  • Lobby Members of Congress and the Illinois State Legislature via telephone, letter, or e-mail concerning legislation or public policy as assigned by Dean of College. Liaison with elected officials' media relations and advance personnel in conjunction with the UIC Office of Public and Government Affairs. 
  • Facilitate meetings between City, County, State, and Federal public officials, and College personnel. Research legislation pertinent to the College of Dentistry at the Dean’s request. 
  • Manage College's media relations efforts with dental media and community media. Assist faculty and other College personnel in preparing for media appearances and appearances at dental meetings. 
  • Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.
Requirements:
  • Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing or related field required. 
  • Demonstrated success in fundraising, case statement preparation and major gift proposal writing. 
  • Understanding of federal, state and local government structure and operations, with ability to research legislation and lobby on behalf of the College’s interests. 
  • At least five years related experience in publications administration and writing/communications, including fully developed skills in and related to: editing, reporting, research, editorial writing, proofreading, manuscript solicitation graphic design oversight, print buying, negotiation, production, layout, photography; advertising sales and billing, web development oversight, social media, media relations, marketing, branding, etc. 
  • Experience in higher education communications or fundraising related field. 
  • Ability/maturity/tact/diplomacy to work with senior University officials, public and corporate officials, and major gift donors.


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