📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Associate Director, Brand Strategy
🔹 Company: University of Chicago
🔹 Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing & Communications
🔹 Date Posted: May 14, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-7 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid (3 days per week)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and refining strategic brand guidance for the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
- Collaborating with internal stakeholders to translate brand strategy into creative briefs, messaging frameworks, and guidelines.
- Monitoring and evaluating brand performance through qualitative and quantitative metrics.
- Supporting global marketing campaigns with clear strategic brand direction.
- Identifying trends and opportunities in the competitive landscape to keep the brand differentiated and relevant.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of brand development, strategic marketing, and higher education. Familiarity with the University of Chicago and Chicago Booth is a plus.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develops and refines strategic brand guidance that aligns with the School’s mission, values, and strategic objectives to impact overall channel and content strategies.
✅ Participates in brainstorming and working sessions to uncover insights that inform strategic brand output across various channels and media.
✅ Partners with internal stakeholders to translate brand strategy into creative briefs, messaging frameworks, and guidelines that increase awareness, lead generation, and promote faculty research.
✅ Participates in the review of marketing collateral to ensure overall strategic alignment in brand voice, visual identity, audience alignment, and storytelling across all channels.
✅ Collaborates with internal research teams and partners to monitor and evaluate brand performance through qualitative and quantitative metrics; uses insights to make data-informed recommendations.
✅ Supports the evolution of global marketing campaigns with clear strategic brand direction and insights.
✅ Identifies trends and opportunities in the competitive landscape to keep the brand differentiated and relevant.
✅ Develops one or more of the following marketing functions: marketing communications and advertising, web blogs or other digital marketing, and market research. Reviews and updates marketing infrastructure which may include one or more database systems, the intranet, and external web sites.
✅ May assist managing relationships with external sales agencies.
✅ Performs other related work as needed.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong analytical, communication, and project management skills. The ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders is crucial.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or communications.
Experience: 5-7 years of work experience in a marketing/communications team.
Required Skills:
- Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
- Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple detailed tasks/projects simultaneously and meet strict deadlines with frequent interruptions.
- Excellent strategic planning, critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills.
- Professional demeanor, including tact, discretion, and a customer service-oriented approach.
- Expertise in integrated marketing, brand building, positioning, and marketing with a strong foundation in digital marketing.
Preferred Skills:
- Familiarity with higher education and the University of Chicago and Chicago Booth.
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, a master's degree in a related field may be preferred but not required.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $65,000 - $90,000 USD per year (based on experience level and industry standards for the Chicago area)
Benefits:
- Health, retirement, and paid time off benefits (details available in the Benefits Guidebook)
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week, with a flexible hybrid work arrangement (3 days per week on-site)
ASSUMPTION: The provided salary range is an estimate based on market research for similar roles in the Chicago area. The actual salary may vary based on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Higher Education & Research Services
Company Size: 11-50 employees (Small to Medium-sized company, offering a close-knit work environment with ample opportunities for collaboration and growth)
Founded: 1898 (as part of the University of Chicago, with the Booth School of Business established in 1898)
Company Description:
- The University of Chicago Booth School of Business is the second-oldest business school in the U.S. and second to none when it comes to influencing business education and business practices.
- Chicago Booth has the finest set of facilities of any business school in the world, with campuses in Chicago, London, and Hong Kong.
- The school offers degree and open enrollment programs, has a global body of nearly 56,000 accomplished alumni, and strong corporate relationships that provide a wealth of lifelong career opportunities.
Company Specialties:
- Economics
- Public Policy
- Research
- and Higher Education
Company Website: bfi.uchicago.edu
ASSUMPTION: The University of Chicago is a prestigious institution with a strong global reputation. The Booth School of Business is known for its rigorous, discipline-based approach to business education and its ability to transform students into confident, effective, respected business leaders.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level (5-7 years of experience)
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Senior Director of Brand
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 days per week on-site, with the option to work remotely for the remaining days)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement to a Director-level role with increased responsibilities and leadership opportunities.
- Expansion of skills and expertise through collaboration with diverse stakeholders and exposure to various marketing functions.
- Networking and professional development opportunities through the University's extensive alumni network and industry connections.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to advance within the marketing department and across the University.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (3 days per week on-site, with the option to work remotely for the remaining days)
Office Location(s): 5757 S University Ave., Chicago, IL 60637, US
Geographic Context:
- Chicago, IL is a large, diverse city with a vibrant cultural scene, offering numerous entertainment, dining, and recreational opportunities.
- The University of Chicago is located in the Hyde Park neighborhood, which is known for its historic architecture, beautiful parks, and intellectual atmosphere.
- The Booth School of Business campus is situated in the heart of downtown Chicago, providing easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (with a 30-minute lunch break), with the option to work flexible hours and remotely as needed
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, allowing employees to optimize their work environment and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screening to assess communication skills and cultural fit.
- On-site or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or team members to discuss the role, responsibilities, and qualifications.
- Final interview with senior leadership to assess fit and make a hiring decision.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Communication and presentation skills.
- Cultural fit and alignment with the University's mission and values.
- Expertise in brand development, marketing, and digital marketing.
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences that match the job description.
- Demonstrate your understanding of the University of Chicago and Chicago Booth's brand and mission in your application materials.
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit.
ATS Keywords: Brand Strategy, Marketing Communications, Digital Marketing, Brand Development, Higher Education, University of Chicago, Chicago Booth
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, communication skills, and cultural fit. Familiarity with the University of Chicago and Chicago Booth's brand and mission will be beneficial.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, or Microsoft Project)
- Marketing automation and analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Marketo, or HubSpot)
- Brand management software (e.g., Brandfolder, Frontify, or Bynder)
ASSUMPTION: The required tools and technologies may vary depending on the specific marketing functions and responsibilities of the role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence in research and education
- Collaboration and interdisciplinary approach
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Integrity and accountability
Work Style:
- Data-driven and analytical
- Creative and innovative
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and responsive to change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you approach strategic brand development, and how have you applied this in previous roles?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully translated brand strategy into compelling marketing collateral or campaigns?
- How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices in marketing and digital marketing, and how do you incorporate this knowledge into your work?
ASSUMPTION: The University of Chicago values candidates who demonstrate a strong work ethic, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to its mission and values. Candidates should be able to thrive in a collaborative, interdisciplinary work environment and be open to learning and growth opportunities.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role may require working on multiple projects simultaneously, with tight deadlines and frequent interruptions.
- The University of Chicago is a large, complex organization with numerous stakeholders and competing priorities, which can present challenges in terms of brand consistency and alignment.
- The hybrid work arrangement may require additional self-motivation and time management skills to balance on-site and remote work effectively.
- The competitive landscape for higher education and research services is constantly evolving, presenting ongoing challenges in terms of brand differentiation and relevance.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to manage multiple priorities, adapt to change, and navigate a complex organizational structure to succeed in this role.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on brand strategy for a prestigious higher education institution, with a strong emphasis on research and interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Compared to similar roles in the private sector, this position offers the opportunity to work on a global scale and contribute to the advancement of knowledge and education.
- Career path opportunities may include advancement to a Director-level role within the marketing department or expansion into other areas of the University, such as research or administration.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic brand development, marketing communications, and digital marketing, with a strong focus on research and collaboration. Candidates should be prepared to leverage their skills and experiences to make a significant impact in this dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive brand strategy for the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, including brand positioning, messaging frameworks, and visual identity guidelines.
- Collaborating with internal stakeholders to create a marketing campaign that promotes a new research initiative or faculty achievement, ensuring consistent brand voice, visual identity, and storytelling across all channels.
- Conducting a competitive landscape analysis to identify trends and opportunities in the higher education and research services market, and developing data-informed recommendations to inform brand strategy and marketing initiatives.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, collaborative, and data-driven nature of the Associate Director, Brand Strategy role at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the overall marketing and communications strategy for the University of Chicago Booth School of Business?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does the University support the professional development and growth of employees in this role?
- What are the key challenges facing the brand and marketing department, and how can this role contribute to addressing them?
- How does the University of Chicago Booth School of Business approach collaboration and interdisciplinary work, and how does this role contribute to that effort?
ASSUMPTION: These key questions will help candidates better understand the role, the organization, and the opportunities for professional growth and development.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences that match the job description, with a focus on brand development, marketing, and digital marketing.
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit.
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative within one week of submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications.
- If you are selected for an interview, be prepared to discuss your approach to brand strategy, marketing communications, and digital marketing, as well as your understanding of the University of Chicago and Chicago Booth's brand and mission.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
