Strategic Initiatives Communicator

University of Illinois

Urbana, IL Posted September 25, 2026

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On-site Full-time Mid level
Job Description

Content Development, Editing, and Plain-Language Translation Research, write, edit, and produce briefs, presentations, announcements, FAQs, web content, newsletters, articles, toolkits, talking-point drafts, and other project materials. Translate complex technical, policy, legal, compliance, and organizational information into concise, accurate, audience-centered language. Adapt content for campuswide, senior, technical and targeted audiences while maintaining message consistency, appropriate tone, accessibility, and university standards.

Draft or package supporting materials for high-level audiences when assigned. Executive communications, executive-office messages, and direct executive relationships are directed and approved by Communications Marketing leadership. Assigned Communications Planning Develop and implement integrated communication plans for assigned strategic initiatives within Office of the CIO communications strategy, standards, and priorities.

Define project communications objectives, audiences, messages, channels, milestones, dependencies, approval paths, risks, and success measures. Recommend project-level approaches to initiative leaders and Communications Marketing leadership; identify issues requiring broader portfolio alignment, executive involvement, or escalation. Participate as the communications representative on assigned initiative teams and maintain alignment with related Office of the CIO and university efforts.

Project Stakeholder Coordination and Engagement Develop and implement integrated communications plans for assigned strategic initiatives within Office of the CIO communications strategy, standards, and priorities. Project stakeholder coordination and engagement Coordinate day-to-day communications work with project leaders, subject-matter experts, unit communicators, faculty and staff partners, vendors, and other contributors. Support stakeholder mapping, listening activities, feedback collection, leader and communicator toolkits, events, and adoption communications for assigned initiatives.

Serve as a responsive communications contact for assigned projects, documenting decisions and maintaining feedback loops while escalating sensitive, high-risk, or cross-portfolio matters. Support defined campus IT initiatives or broader institutional strategic priorities, including assigned milestones, content, events, or workstreams, under the direction of Communications Marrketing leadership; do not independently set the overall narrative or engagement strategy for those initiatives.

Channel, Content, and Project Delivery Management Manage project editorial calendars, work plans, routine approvals, contributors, vendors, dependencies, and deadlines. Manage assigned web and digital content on an ongoing basis, including content planning, information organization, publishing coordination, and accessible content practices. Coordinate design, multimedia, print, web-development, or other external services as needed; recommend options that address project and stakeholder needs.

Prepare strategically significant, campuswide, high-risk, or executive-facing items for Communications Marketing leadership review and approval. Team collaboration, support, professional development Collaborate with Communications Marketing team members to brainstorm, solve problems, and advance shared priorities. Provide hands-on support for team projects, tasks, and high-demand periods.

Share knowledge, document useful practices, and cross-train with colleagues. Pursue professional development through training, job shadowing, and stretch assignments. Perform other duties as assigned to support team and Office of the CIO priorities.

Measurement and Continuous Improvement Establish project communications measures aligned with stated objectives and available evidence. Monitor quantitative and qualitative feedback, engagement, understanding, and adoption indicators; report findings and recommend project-level adjustments. Document lessons learned and reusable practices that strengthen future strategic-project communications.

Required Skills
editing compliance accessibility communication leadership escalation management collaboration process improvement
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