Communications and Digital Content Specialist - Applied Health Sciences

Title: Communications & Digital Content Specialist - Applied Health Sciences

Location: Urbana-Champaign, United States

Job Description:

Job Summary

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.

Duties & Responsibilities

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 MarCom 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 video and multimedia content for websites, social media, events, and other digital communications.

Student and other staff supervision

• Work with Assistant Director of Communications to recruit, train, and supervise student staff, providing clear direction, metrics for success, and mentorship.
• Work with student communicators, freelancers, extra help, and others to successfully assign, manage, and supervise college-related communications projects.

Service and other duties

• Attend communications-related campus meetings and represent the college at the weekly campus “story call”
• Maintain active relationships with campus communications colleagues and contribute information, expertise, and best practices to university-wide communications initiatives.
• Participate in professional development activities to remain current on communications, digital media, social media, multimedia, accessibility, and marketing trends.
• Comply with all College of Applied Health Sciences Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity policies and guidelines, contributing to a positive culture of collaboration and inclusivity.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, advertising, communications, or a related field.
• Two years (24 months) of professional work experience in communications, promotions, public relations, advertising, or event planning.
• Demonstrated experience in social media management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in journalism, management, marketing, advertising, business administration, communications, public relations, web design, business analytics, or related field.
• Experience using Asana, Microsoft Teams, Airtable, Zoom, Google Drive, and/or other project management/communications tools.
• Experience working at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or in a similar public university setting.
• Experience translating scientific research for a lay audience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the purpose and mission of the College of Applied Health Sciences at Illinois.
• Strong writing skills, both short form and long form.
• Project management acumen – can manage multiple concurrent projects successfully from inception to on-time delivery.
• Proficiency with communications-related software and programs, including Microsoft and Google suites, Box, Airtable, and Adobe Express, Microsoft Teams.
• Some proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud, including basic photo and video editing to produce social media content and media photography.
• Proficiency with social media platforms, including (but not limited to) Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
• Proficiency with website content management systems.
• Versatile team player with strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills and a marketing sensibility.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5007 - Publicity-Promotions Associate position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 11/29/2026. The pre-determined salary range for this position is $60,000 - $70,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a thorough assessment of these elements.

This position is not eligible for any type of work authorization.