Staff Positions

Digital Content Strategist
Department of Computer Science
The Grainger College of Engineering
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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The Department of Computer Science (CS) at The Grainger College of Engineering seeks applicants for the position of Digital Content Strategist to develop and implement strategic digital communications and public relations activities as an integral member of the CS Communications & Constituent Engagement team.  This position is responsible for strategically concepting, designing, and implementing approaches to leverage all of our communication channels to better share stories that demonstrate the comprehensive excellence of the faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the department. The volume of high-quality digital content, especially on the department website and social media channels, will be a primary focus of this position, which includes utilizing the new website content management system (Site Manager) to its fullest capabilities.

The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or veteran status. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Digital content development and content management for Web and Social

• Develop and implement a strategic plan for the department’s web presences, such as its main website, faculty pages, research group and lab pages, in cooperation with leadership and communications staff, and based upon analytics, audience analysis situations, content/subject area, and intended outcomes.
• Lead efforts to take created written content and further design and develop it for use in multiple online formats. Utilizing aspects of design and technology tools, such as graphic design, web design, social media, electronic newsletters, digital signage, graphics, illustrations, and infographics to create multimedia that is cohesive and supports immersive digital storytelling experiences.
• Use skills and experience to create materials that visually communicate with the identified target audience, e.g. using infographics and illustrations.
• Facilitate strategy sessions, focus group sessions, and user tests. Manage all aspects of usability evaluations and analysis to summarize web usage data and report key learnings.
• Prototype and implement website designs using content management tools.
• Work with partners, including Grainger Engineering Web Services, University of Illinois Web Services, other groups on campus, and outside vendors to establish and update website content.
• Work with marketing and communications team to identify promotional strategies by having an understanding of digital marketing and the ability to manage and report on marketing campaign tracking, including sources across multiple channels.
• Monitor and make recommendations for continual website improvements, including reviewing website content, and using analytics and analysis to make informed, strategic content recommendations/decisions.
• Ensure that all websites adhere to accessibility laws as well as good usability practices.

Design

• Design digital marketing materials, including information graphics, social media graphics, PowerPoint presentations, and digital signage, plus designs or collaborates with staff on complimentary print materials.
• Maintain college and university brand standards across materials. in accordance with University of Illinois, Grainger College of Engineering, and Department of Computer Science Branding Guidelines and Style Guides.
• Collaborate with outside vendors.

Documentation, training, and support

• Provide training and support for department content editors.
• Establish documentation for websites and publishing platforms, to include: quality standards, reviews, and formalized content procedures in accordance with University of Illinois, Grainger College of Engineering, and Department of Computer Science Branding Guidelines and Style Guides.
• Investigate and evaluate new standards and technologies suitable for department needs.
• Assume additional appropriate duties to further the mission of the Department

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, advertising, communications, or a related field.
• Three years of professional work experience in communications, promotions, public relations, advertising, or event planning that included web design, marketing, and/or web content management.
• Experience implementing and using content management systems, such as Drupal and/or WordPress, to deliver public websites.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in or with higher education, especially in STEM fields.
• Proficiency in Adobe Suite, WordPress, and Webtools.
• Experience effectively communicating technical information with clients.

Highly Qualified Candidates will Possess:

• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to work harmoniously with faculty, staff, and students from a wide variety of disciplines.
• Proven ability to complete small projects independently and work as a member of a team on larger projects.
• Understanding of accessibility standards and laws.
• Solid knowledge of website analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics.)
• Strong analytical skills and data-driven thinking.

Appointment Information:

This is a full-time Civil Service Publicity-Promotion Associate position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the deadline.

To Apply:

Applications must be received by August 9, 2021.  Apply for this position using the “Apply for Position” button below. If you have not applied before, you must create your candidate profile at https://jobs.illinois.edu/.  If you already have a profile, you will be redirected to that existing profile via email notification. To complete the application process:

1. Submit the Staff Vacancy Application.
2. Submit the Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability forms.
3. Upload your cover letter, resume (months and years of employment must be included), and academic credentials including Bachelor's degree or higher included (unofficial transcripts or diploma may be acceptable) and names/contact information for three references.

In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position using the “Apply for Position” button below.  Applications not submitted through this website will not be considered.  For further information about this specific position, contact Denise Corray (decorray@illinois.edu).  For questions about the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer.  Convictions are not a bar to employment. Other pre-employment assessments may be required, depending on the classification of Civil Service employment.  

The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.”

As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility. 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.