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Location

Urbana, IL | United States

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Job description

Director of Public Engagement 
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences-Office of the Dean
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The College of Liberal Arts &
Sciences is home to 15,000 students; 1,300 faculty and staff; and over 186,000
alumni. The college is home to more than 65 units and 70 plus majors. LAS is a
diverse and dynamic place made up of incredible people doing impactful work
every day at the heart of the university. The Office of
the Dean is the central administrative unit for the College of LAS and is home
to college leadership and business functions including human resources, finance
and resource planning, business services, curriculum and academic policy,
research, facilities, and inclusive excellence.

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (LAS) is searching for a Director of Public Engagement to develop
and implement strategic initiatives that enhance the College's relationship with the public, promote its
mission, and foster meaningful engagement between the college, faculty,
students, and the surrounding communities.

Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Development and Implementation

* Coordinate the develop of a comprehensive strategic plan for public engagement, aligned with the college's mission and values

* Collaborate with faculty and staff to identify and prioritize areas of focus for public engagement initiatives

* Work with other units on campus (outside of LAS) to coordinate public engagement activities

* Implement innovative programs and initiatives that foster public understanding, engagement, and support for the college (i.e., community-based learning, community-based research, community service and outreach, community-based capstone experiences, service-learning, participatory action research, community service-based capstone experiences)

* Establish an office to facilitate and oversee public engagement activities

* Establish a public engagement database

* Provide continuity over time and develop long term relationships both within the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus and the broader Champaign-Urbana community

Internal Collaboration and Leadership with Faculty and Students

* Collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to co-develop and implement public engagement initiatives that align with academic and institutional goals

* Promote faculty development in community-engaged research and public engagement, including developing trainings, workshops and panel discussions and aligning work with community-engaged research funders

* Matchmake and create new connections between faculty, staff, students, and community partners, including assisting with long-term relationship-management, navigating power dynamics, resolving conflicts, identifying opportunities for aligning incentives in research partnerships and matching community projects with students and courses in LAS

Relationship and Infrastructure Building and Community Engagement

* Cultivate and nurture relationships with community members/organizations, alumni, and donors

* Serve as the primary point of contact for external entities seeking collaboration with LAS

* Support efforts to increase LAS involvement in local community engagement initiatives

* Monitor and assess success and future strategies, through the use of data-informed approaches

* Participate in community events, workshops, and conferences to foster dialogue and partnership opportunities

Public Outreach and Communication
* In collaboration with the LAS Communications and Marketing team, develop and execute effective communication strategies to promote LAS achievements, research, events, and community contributions

* Collaborate on the creation of content for various platforms, including websites, social media, press releases, and publications.

* Coordinate public relations efforts and manage media relations to ensure accurate and positive coverage of the college's initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, marketing, public health, social work, education, or a related discipline.
• A total of three (3) years (36 months) in education, training and/or work experience in higher education. (Note: Master's Degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1) year of work experience.
• Demonstrated experience working in non-profits, public engagement, and/or community-based organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in communications, public relations, marketing, public health, social work, education, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated leadership working in non-profits, public engagement, and/or community-based organizations.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing strategic plans that enhance an organization's reputation and community engagement.
• Excellent leadership and team-building experience, with a track record of successfully managing and motivating a team.
• Experience in media relations, public speaking, and crisis communication is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of current trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in public engagement and communications.
• Experience developing public engagement programs and trainings.
• Experience developing campus-level programs for faculty and students.
• Experience with grant development. Experience in strategic planning for large organizations.

• Knowledge of the University of Illinois campus, partners, and local community.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Excellent writing and analytical skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others.
• Awareness of, and sensitivity to, cultural and linguistic differences.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Ability to work harmoniously with faculty, staff, and students from a wide variety of disciplines.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5003 - Program Director position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible
after the deadline date. The
target salary for this position is $90,000. Final
salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market
data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications,
collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints.

This position is unable to support candidates who require
work authorization sponsorship.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule (remote work
and in-person work in Champaign-Urbana each week). 

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at .

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on March 20, 2024. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button on the posting and
upload your cover letter, resume (months and years of employment must be
included), and names/contact information for three professional references.
Please remember to include specific information on how you meet the
qualifications of the position in your application materials, including all
relevant experiences.

In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must
apply for this position. Applications not submitted through  will not be considered. If required by the
position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided
no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this
specific position, please contact [email protected] . For questions
regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois must also comply with
applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves
the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal , or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing [email protected] .

Requisition ID : 1022347

Job Category : Administrative

Apply at:

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