Marketing Communication Director jobs in Waukegan, IL

Position Summary

The Marketing Design Director will oversee the development and execution of a broad range of marketing and branding initiatives across various channels in support of all areas of the university, particularly Strategic Enrollment Management, Institutional Advancement, Research, and Health Clinics. This role reports to the AVP for Marketing and Communications and sits within the marketing team.

• The ideal candidate will be experienced in leading teams that perform a high volume of graphic design projects, copywriting, and production and advertising campaigns. They will effectively communicate art direction and feedback; will be committed to leveraging data for business insights; and will collaborate with other teams across the university. This position oversees marketing concept, copywriting, production, and resource management. Channels include advertising, print collateral, websites, social media, email and print direct marketing, video and others. The director manages the day-to-day activities of a team of three graphic designers and a production manager, and meets with departments and partners to determine their project goals and ideas. The candidate should have experience sharing and championing ideas with stakeholders and creative teams, employing storyboards, mockups, and other elements for visualizing concepts.

Candidates must have a track record of contributing to multichannel advertising or marketing campaigns and managing a design The ideal candidate knows current trends in higher education marketing and advertising and has excellent verbal and written communication skills to excel in a fast-paced environment.

Our generous benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision plans; paid parental leave; short term and long term disability plans; life insurance; flexible spending accounts; and a 403(b) retirement plan which includes a 10% employer contribution once eligible. RFUMS is committed to employee wellbeing and work-life balance. This position is eligible for 24 days of vacation, 15 sick days, and 13 holidays plus two floating holidays.

Who We Are

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFU) is a graduate health sciences university committed to serving the population through the interprofessional education of health and biomedical professionals and the discovery of knowledge dedicated to improving wellness. The university embodies the spirit of inquiry and excellence modeled by its namesake Dr. Rosalind Franklin, whose Photo 51 was crucial to solving the structure of DNA. 

Today, the university’s six colleges continue Dr Franklin’s legacy through rigorous academics, pioneering research, and innovative community service. Our unique interprofessional education model allows students to learn from and with each other in a variety of settings, including our simulation labs, the student-led Interprofessional Community Clinic, and through partnerships with area hospitals and clinics. RFU is a national leader in interprofessional research and practices, and is nationally recognized for its research in areas including neuroscience, brain-related diseases, inherited disorders, proteomics, cancer cell biology and immunology, cardiac resuscitation, and gait and balance. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Direct the development of marketing and communication projects, including the design of, publishing and distribution of marketing and communication materials designed to meet the strategic objectives of the university. 
• Manage the design and production team and activities to produce these materials, including procurement. 
• Oversee the development of advertising messages and promotional campaigns. 
• Oversee the maintenance of essential resource and background files to include subject/source files, and related information essential to marketing and communications duties. 
• Assist in implementing digital media plans and strategies and achieving digital marketing goals and objectives. 
• Maximize the tracking systems that evaluate the effectiveness of marketing programs and projects implemented by the department. 
• Leverage analytic tools to provide reporting and insights, track and improve metrics, and communicate outcomes to university partners on a regular basis.
• Maintain familiarity with all division programs, services and priorities and allocate resources accordingly. 

The responsibilities described above represent the primary responsibilities of the job. Other duties may be assigned by the supervisor as warranted by business needs. 
 

Required Conditions of Employment

• Must achieve satisfactory results from a background check.
• Compliance with the current COVID19 vaccination policy

Required Education and Experience 

• BA, BS in marketing, advertising or related degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of marketing or related experience. 
• Minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience of full-time staff, including designers.
• Experience with and understanding of strategic communication and creative processes.
• Strong and flexible writing and content creation and optimization skills.
• Experience with and understanding of digital marketing communication and analytics.
• Strong project management and consultative skills.
• Prior experience in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. 
• Understanding of design, typography, production and campaign executions.

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Must be able to shift from one project to another easily.
• Must be eager to work on a team, and able to work independently.
• Highly collaborative and responsive to the needs of colleagues and peers.
• Strong customer-service orientation. 
• Ability to work under time constraints and meet assigned deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Organization, problem-solving knowledge, and creativity. 
• Previous management experience.

Preferred Experience or Skills

• Higher education or healthcare setting
• In-house, centralized marketing or agency experience

Typical Physical Demands & Working Conditions

• The selected candidate must have the mental and physical capabilities to perform the position's essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations.

EOE, including Disability/Vets