Assistant Director of Recruitment Marketing - The Grainger College of Engineering

Assistant Director of Recruitment Marketing
Office of Marketing & Communications
The Grainger College of Engineering
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
The Office of Marketing & Communications in The Grainger College of Engineering seeks applicants for an Assistant Director of Recruitment Marketing position. The position is responsible for managing strategic marketing initiatives to recruit and yield top graduate students to Grainger College of Engineering graduate programs, professional programs and online programs. This position develops, executes and measures comprehensive recruitment marketing strategies that drive enrollment while supporting the Grainger Engineering brand. The role serves as the primary liaison between MarCom and the Graduate, Professional and Online Programs Office (GPO), managing the full recruitment marketing lifecycle from awareness through enrollment. The position supervises the Senior Recruitment Marketing Coordinator, collaborates with internal teams and external vendors, and provides strategic counsel to department leaders on graduate recruitment marketing.

Duties & Responsibilities

Marketing Management:

• Collaborate closely with the Associate Director of Marketing to align graduate recruitment marketing efforts with broader college-wide recruitment strategy and brand reputation initiatives.
• Directly supervise Senior Recruitment Marketing Coordinator, providing strategic direction, delegating work, setting performance expectations, conducting performance reviews, and ensuring the coordinator receives clear guidance and support to successfully execute recruitment marketing initiatives.
• Serve as the lead for developing compelling marketing messaging and copywriting for graduate recruitment campaigns, translating complex academic program offerings into compelling narratives that effectively communicate program value propositions, resonate with prospective graduate students and motivate them to apply.
• Work collaboratively with MarCom colleagues and vendors to conceptualize, plan, develop and produce marketing materials across all mediums, including but not limited to digital ads, email campaigns, web landing pages, print collateral, video content and event materials, targeting prospective graduate students.
• Collaborate with departments to ensure recruitment marketing activities articulate, refine and amplify the college and university brand, maintain brand compliance guidelines for graduate recruitment marketing, and ensure all efforts are aligned with centrally coordinated recruitment plans and consistent across all programs.
• Track campaigns and monitor, evaluate and report on multi-channel performance, providing regular reports to stakeholders on campaign effectiveness, ROI and recommendations for optimization.
• Assist with building a culture of connecting activity to impact by analyzing data, implementing decisions based on that data and experimenting strategically to maximize impact.

Marketing Strategy:

• Assist in the development of annual marketing plans with measurable objectives and KPIs for graduate enrollment. Manage the college's graduate recruitment marketing plan and execute projects that drive that strategy.
• Act as the main point of contact between Grainger Engineering's Marketing & Communications Office (MarCom) and the college's Graduate, Professional and Online Programs Office (GPO), managing graduate program recruitment marketing strategy and implementation.
• Coordinate with MarCom colleagues and manage relationships with external vendors and agencies (including media buyers, digital marketing consultants, etc.) to generate strong recruitment marketing campaigns and programs across paid and owned media.
• Strategize, develop, monitor, analyze and refine paid media for recruitment marketing.
• Collaborate on strategy development with departments and units, coordinating marketing efforts across the entire college.
• Work in concert with the web team to implement web-based marketing strategies and ensure all college websites reflect the brand, marketing goals and overall college digital strategy.
• Assist with the collection and analysis of data, implement decisions based on that data and experiment strategically to learn what is working in the market.
• Explore, develop and implement innovative marketing approaches that will be effective and have a significant positive impact on the stature of the college.

Other:

• Assume additional duties related to marketing and communications to further the mission of The Grainger College of Engineering.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, business administration, communications, public relations or a closely related field.
• Three (3) years of professional work experience in marketing, public relations, communications, brand management or a related professional area.
• Demonstrated experience managing digital advertising and/or paid media campaigns in a marketing communications environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in marketing, business administration, communications, public relations or a closely related field.
• Five (5) years of related professional marketing experience with at least one (1) year in a leadership or project management capacity.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience with proven ability to lead, mentor and develop team members effectively.
• Experience with social media management, web analytics tools and data-driven decision making.
• Experience with CMS platforms, design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Canva), email marketing platforms and CRM systems (Slate).
• Experience developing effective working relationships with faculty, staff, vendors and stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Expertise in paid digital marketing with the ability to develop, optimize and analyze campaigns while leveraging owned, earned and paid media for integrated marketing strategies.
• Strong copywriting skills with the ability to engage a wide range of audiences across multiple platforms.
• Ability to develop and execute comprehensive recruitment marketing strategies.
• Advanced analytical skills with the ability to derive insights from data to inform decisions.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to communicate effectively and respond appropriately to customer needs.
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently with strong initiative.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and adapt marketing messages for distinct audience segments, including domestic and international graduate student populations, with attention to audience context, communication preferences, and informational needs.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5004 - Marketing Associate position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. The budgeted salary range for this position is $70,000-$75,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. Hybrid work options may be available for this position, with the ability to be on-site at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus as needed per the University's Workplace Flexibility policy . This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at .

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on June 7, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload your cover letter, resume, and names/contact information for three references. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Rachael Coleman at [email protected] . For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state's flagship public university and one of the world's leading research institutions - every staff member helps shape what's next . Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you're empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence - where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

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 accommodation portal , or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [email protected] .

Requisition ID : 1036087

Job Category : Professional and Administrative

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