📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director, Marketing
🔹 Company: University of Chicago
🔹 Location: Chicago, IL
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: May 28, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Strategic and creative leadership in developing and implementing integrated marketing strategies
- Overseeing a high-performing marketing team and external vendors
- Managing core digital platforms and leading school-wide marketing initiatives
- Collaborating with internal stakeholders, faculty, staff, students, and alumni to elevate storytelling and enhance marketing reach
- Tracking budgets, performance data, and campaign metrics to evaluate success and inform future strategies
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking and hands-on implementation, with a focus on innovation, collaboration, and accountability.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develops and implements integrated marketing strategies across digital, print, and multimedia platforms to support institutional visibility, enrollment, and advancement.
✅ Oversees and manages the organization’s web and email platforms, including content strategy, user experience, SEO, accessibility, and performance analytics.
✅ Leads the execution of multi-channel campaigns using HubSpot and other CRM tools, including automated drip/nurture journeys, segmentation, and ROI tracking.
✅ Ensures a cohesive brand identity across all marketing materials, internal units, and external vendors through governance, training, and resources.
✅ Produces and oversees high-quality marketing content, including web pages, digital ads, email campaigns, print material, social media, photography, and videos.
✅ Serves as day-to-day marketing liaison to internal stakeholders, ensuring projects align with institutional goals and audience needs.
✅ Tracks budgets, performance data, and campaign metrics to evaluate success and inform future strategies.
✅ Manages vendor relationships, including agencies, designers, developers, and freelance creatives.
✅ Leads, mentors, and develops a high-performing marketing team, fostering creativity, collaboration, and accountability.
ASSUMPTION: This role may also involve assisting in designing and implementing strategic and tactical marketing plans for a department or program, and monitoring and evaluating marketing communication and research programs.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Required Skills:
- Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, HTML/CSS, and marketing analytics platforms
- Familiarity with accessibility standards, copyright/privacy regulations, and digital governance best practices
- Deep knowledge of digital marketing platforms including HubSpot, Google Analytics 4, SEO/SEM, social media ad platforms, such as Meta, LinkedIn, etc., and CRM tools such as Salesforce or Slate, and CMS tools including Drupal or WordPress
- Comfortable interpreting and communicating data, including developing dashboards and KPIs
Preferred Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, public policy, or a related field
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in marketing, with at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory capacity
- Developing and executing integrated marketing campaigns in complex, mission-driven organizations
- Higher education experience
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools is likely expected for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $92,000.00 - $102,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health, retirement, and paid time off benefits
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The provided salary range is an estimate based on industry standards for a marketing director role in the higher education sector in Chicago, IL.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Higher Education, specifically focused on public policy research and education
Company Size: 11-50 employees, with a larger university-wide workforce
Founded: The University of Chicago was founded in 1892, with the Harris School of Public Policy established in 1984
Company Description:
- Dedicated to advancing knowledge through rigorous research and innovative teaching
- Committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community
- Strives to create a positive impact on society through its research, teaching, and public engagement
Company Specialties:
- Economics
- Public Policy
- Research
- and Higher Education
Company Website: bfi.uchicago.edu
ASSUMPTION: The University of Chicago is a prestigious research university with a strong reputation in the fields of economics and public policy. The Harris School of Public Policy is one of its professional schools, dedicated to advancing evidence-based policymaking through rigorous research and innovative teaching.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior, depending on the candidate's experience and leadership skills
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Senior Associate Dean of Communications and Marketing
Work Arrangement: On-site, with potential for hybrid or remote work depending on the organization's policies and the candidate's needs
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to advance to a senior leadership role within the marketing department or the university
- Opportunities to collaborate with faculty, researchers, and students on innovative marketing projects
- Chance to gain experience in higher education marketing and build a professional network within the industry
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, with potential for hybrid or remote work depending on the organization's policies and the candidate's needs
Office Location(s): 5757 S University Ave., Chicago, IL 60637
Geographic Context:
- Chicago, IL is a large, diverse city with a vibrant cultural scene and a strong economy
- The University of Chicago is located in the Hyde Park neighborhood, which offers a mix of urban and suburban living
- The area has excellent public transportation options, including the CTA 'L' train and bus services
Work Schedule: Full-time, with a standard workweek of 37.5 hours
ASSUMPTION: The work environment is likely to be collaborative, intellectually stimulating, and fast-paced, with a strong emphasis on data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- On-site or virtual interview with a panel of stakeholders
- Final interview with the senior associate dean
- Background check and reference check
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Expertise in digital marketing and campaign management
- Ability to collaborate and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Strong communication and presentation skills
- Alignment with the university's mission and values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant marketing experience and skills
- Demonstrate your understanding of the university's mission and the Harris School of Public Policy's goals
- Prepare examples of your past marketing campaigns and their outcomes to discuss during the interview
- Research the university and the Harris School to show your enthusiasm for the role and the organization
ATS Keywords: Marketing Director, Digital Marketing, Campaign Management, Brand Strategy, Analytics, Content Strategy, User Experience, SEO, Accessibility, Performance Analytics, Project Management, Collaboration, Storytelling, Vendor Management, Team Leadership, Data Interpretation, Strategic Planning, Higher Education Marketing
ASSUMPTION: The University of Chicago uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage job applications. Including relevant keywords in your resume and cover letter can help your application get noticed by the system.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite
- HubSpot
- Google Analytics 4
- SEO/SEM tools
- Social media ad platforms (e.g., Meta, LinkedIn)
- CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce, Slate)
- CMS tools (e.g., Drupal, WordPress)
ASSUMPTION: The required tools and technologies for this role are standard in the digital marketing industry and should be familiar to experienced marketing professionals.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence in research and teaching
- Collaboration and interdisciplinary approach
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Public engagement and impact
Work Style:
- Data-driven and evidence-based decision-making
- Collaborative and team-based approach
- Continuous learning and professional development
- Adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic environment
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do your personal values align with the University of Chicago's mission and the Harris School of Public Policy's goals?
- How do you approach collaboration and building relationships with diverse stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, and alumni?
- How do you stay up-to-date with the latest digital marketing trends and tools, and how do you apply this knowledge to your work?
ASSUMPTION: The University of Chicago values diversity, equity, and inclusion, and seeks candidates who can contribute to a collaborative and intellectually stimulating work environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Balancing strategic thinking and hands-on implementation in a fast-paced environment
- Managing a team and external vendors while maintaining a cohesive brand identity
- Adapting to changes in the higher education landscape and digital marketing trends
- Navigating a large, complex organization with multiple stakeholders
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be mitigated through strong leadership, effective communication, and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to marketing roles in the private sector, this role may offer less competitive salary ranges but more job security and opportunities for professional growth within the organization
- Compared to marketing roles in other higher education institutions, this role may offer a more intellectually stimulating environment and a stronger focus on research and evidence-based decision-making
- Compared to marketing roles in other professional schools within the University of Chicago, this role may offer unique opportunities to collaborate with faculty, researchers, and students on innovative marketing projects
ASSUMPTION: The specific context and unique aspects of this role make it distinct from similar roles in other organizations.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive marketing campaign to promote a new research initiative or policy report
- Creating and implementing a content strategy to enhance the Harris School's website and digital presence
- Managing a team to produce high-quality marketing materials for an upcoming conference or event
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and initiatives that the Director of Marketing may oversee in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the broader marketing and communications strategy for the Harris School and the University of Chicago?
- What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role, and how can I contribute to achieving them?
- How does the Harris School engage with its alumni network, and what opportunities are there for me to build on these relationships?
- What are the most pressing challenges facing the Harris School, and how can marketing efforts support the school's goals in addressing them?
- How does the University of Chicago support the professional development and growth of its marketing team members?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, informed questions demonstrates your interest in the role and the organization, and shows that you have done your research.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant marketing experience and skills, and demonstrate your understanding of the university's mission and the Harris School's goals
- Prepare examples of your past marketing campaigns and their outcomes to discuss during the interview
- Research the university and the Harris School to show your enthusiasm for the role and the organization
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
