Director of Marketing and Communications - NCSA

National Center for Supercomputing Applications

The National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign provides advanced computing and digital infrastructure to support the nation’s scientific and technological enterprise. For over 30 years, NCSA has united University of Illinois faculty, staff, students, and global collaborators to address complex societal and scientific challenges. Through partnerships with one-third of the Fortune 50 companies, NCSA drives innovation by connecting industry, academia, and students to solve problems at speed and scale.

With state-of-the-art cyberinfrastructure and deep interdisciplinary expertise, NCSA serves as a hub for research collaboration among academic institutions and global enterprises. Our work is supported by the State of Illinois, the University of Illinois, the National Science Foundation, and other federal agencies. We’re expanding our team and inviting passionate, forward-thinking professionals to join our growing research community.

NCSA is currently seeking a highly motivated individual to serve as the Director of Marketing and Communications. This position will lead strategic direction, oversight, and coordination of all marketing, communications, public affairs, and branding efforts. The director will also manage staff and cultivate both internal and external partnerships to enhance the organization’s visibility and impact.

Job Summary

The Director of Marketing and Communications is responsible for providing strategic direction, oversight, and coordination regarding the marketing, communications, public affairs, branding, and customer service functions of NCSA, including leadership and management of marketing and communications staff and of internal and external collaborative communication efforts.

As NCSA’s chief communications officer, the Director of Marketing and Communications will work with the Director's Office, NCSA staff, campus personnel, and partners to understand NCSA’s communications needs;
develop and execute internal and external communications and marketing strategies, goals, and actions; and provide services that advance the mission and goals of the Center, including elevating visibility and awareness of the Center and its activities.

Strategic Marketing & Communications
•Set and implement marketing and communication goals and objectives for the Center including, but not limited to, providing creative direction, identifying key audiences; conducting appropriate market research methods to gather information; and establishing performance metrics to measure outcomes and impact of marketing and communications activities.
•Develop strategies to communicate and bolster relationships with NCSA stakeholders, including staff, campus community members, and local, state, and federal policymakers and funding agencies.
•Develop and execute a strategic plan for the Center website and affiliated sites (e.g., NCSA Centers of Excellence sites) that aligns with NCSA’s goals and brand, including development of content and updates as needed.
•Develop communication plans that promote awareness of Center activities locally, nationally, and internationally and raise the profile of both NCSA and the Illinois research enterprise.
•Provide high-quality marketing and communication consulting, editorial, writing, and other services to assist directorate and project leads with meeting their strategic goals and priorities.

Management and Oversight
•Supervise civil service professionals, academic professionals, academic hourlies, student workers, and interns, as appropriate, for marketing and communications projects. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, hiring in accordance with all relevant Center/campus policies and state laws, assigning tasks, mentoring, recognizing staff achievements, providing ongoing performance monitoring and evaluation.
•Direct all aspects in the production and distribution of NCSA promotional materials, including annual reports, informational brochures, newsletters, posters, and fact sheets.
•Oversee dissemination of Center news and information across various communications platforms including press releases, campus websites, social media, internal wikis, etc.
•Oversee development and implementation of concepts, outlines, layouts, and content for marketing and communications materials, including web-based and printed materials as well as messages for inclusion in remarks by NCSA leadership.
•Ensure optimal brand management, consistency in messaging and design, and application of Center and campus guidelines in all communications.
•Develop and manage the Center's communications, marketing, and public affairs, in accordance with NCSA’s needs and priorities. Follow all relevant center and campus policies and state laws in making and tracking spending decisions, interactions with vendors, initiating bids and purchase orders, etc.
•Manage professional vendors selected to work on outsourced communications and marketing projects.
•Direct the planning of Center social events, on-site demonstrations, and tradeshow exhibits, including booth design and production, branding and messaging, staffing, production of digital and print collateral materials, in coordination with multiple vendors and stakeholders.
•Provide information and reports required by the Center, University, and outside agencies.

Collaboration
•Build and foster collaborative relationships with both internal and external partners to share and stay informed about new findings, opportunities, initiatives, programs, products, and services. This includes building and fostering working relationships with various audiences including the OVCRI Research Communications, UI News Bureau, Office of Public Affairs, and external service providers such as advertising agencies, graphic designers, independent contractors, and local media.
•Coordinate media relations efforts, including identifying and cultivating relationships with relevant journalists and news outlets, serving as an NCSA spokesperson in print, broadcast and digital media interviews, and pitching NCSA stories to the media.
•Develop and maintain strong relationships with NCSA directorate leads, project leads, and other key personnel, and provide leadership and expertise on how the public affairs, marketing, event services, and facilities teams can help them communicate effectively.
•Direct NCSA’s marketing and communications efforts with University and campus units to ensure consistency with University and campus direction and representation of the Center's interests.
•As NCSA’s chief communications officer, attend trainings, workshops, and events geared toward campus marketing and communications professionals and represent NCSA as a member of the Research Communications Council.

Minimum Qualifications

•Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Advertising, Public Relations, External Relations, or related field. Alternate degree fields will be considered based upon the nature and depth of the experience as it relates to this position. •Minimum of 7-10 years of experience and demonstrated success in marketing and communications activities, including advertising, editing, writing, media work, or public relations. •Experience with staff supervision, staff motivation and development, and delegation of authority. •Experience working with designers and a variety of stakeholders to develop promotional materials. •Experience developing and implementing strategic communications. •Extensive project management experience. •Extensive content development experience.

Preferred Qualifications

•Master’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Advertising, Public Relations, External Relations, or a related field. Alternate degree fields will be considered based upon the nature and depth of the experience as it relates to this position.
•Marketing or communications experience within a research institute, large research facility or similar organization.
•Experience working in an advanced scientific computing or information technology environment.
•Experience in a higher education marketing or communications position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• • Ability to identify communication goals in the framework of overall marketing and public relations activities and develop clearly-focused communications strategies to meet those goals. • Ability to analyze competing organizations, stakeholder needs, and environmental factors that impact strategic communication needs. • Ability to determine effective means of communicating to diverse stakeholders, including the national research community, federal funding agencies, policymakers, industry partners, campus community, etc. • Ability to communicate complex scientific and/or technological concepts in a compelling manner for a variety of audiences. • Ability to analyze effectiveness and impact of marketing and communications efforts. • Thorough knowledge of current media technologies, both traditional and digital, and how they apply to information distribution. • Strong interpersonal communication, customer service, and relationship building skills. • Demonstrated leadership, organizational, problem solving, and consensus building skills. • Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills. • Superior attention to detail. • Sound judgment and effective decision-making skills. • Knowledge of social media space and the ability to develop multi-media materials with an active, professional social media profile and engagement track record.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Preferred • Understanding of University of Illinois branding guidelines.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 9/1/2025. The minimum salary for this position will be $100,000. Salary is commensurate with experience. While this position allows for remote work, it is not fully remote by nature. Given the responsibilities, it's important that the person in this role is located close enough to campus to be available on short notice and within a reasonable timeframe when needed.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on August 1, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact jgoodly@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

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. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. 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 accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1031186
Job Category: Professional and Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu