Communications and Marketing Manager

Department

CSL Housing and Residence Life: Occupancy & Administration

About the Department

Our mission is to provide well-maintained facilities, services, and programming that foster a sense of belonging within our community and support the transformative experiences and well-being of our students. We cultivate an inclusive environment where students can live authentically, rest, and feel at home.

Housing & Residence Life is guided by a senior leadership team that shapes the tone, vision, and strategy of the department, ensuring our goal of creating well-maintained residential communities where students can live authentically, rest well, and feel at home.

Our Functional Areas:

• Residence Life fosters a transformative and vibrant residential experience, nurturing responsible, resilient residents and cultivating a deep sense of community. Through immersive programming and cherished traditions, students emerge as proud UChicago House Alumni.
• Occupancy Management & Administration oversees undergraduate housing applications, assignments, summer conference coordination, and departmental communication and marketing strategies.
• Operations ensures the effective management of residence hall facilities and services, including 24/7 front desks, mail and package services, and the upkeep of public spaces, in collaboration with Facilities Services.
• Budget and Finance models fiscal stewardship to support residential student success, UChicago House culture, and the broader goals of Housing & Residence Life, Campus and Student Life, and the University.

The University of Chicago's House system is a central part of residential life, fostering close-knit communities within the residence halls. Each of the 48 Houses consists of a mix of students from all years, creating a multi-class support network. Houses have their own traditions, events, and live-in staff to provide mentorship and guidance. This system promotes intellectual and social engagement, helping students form lasting friendships and a strong sense of belonging within the university.

Job Summary

The Communications and Marketing Manager is a creative force behind Housing and Residence Life's storytelling, brand strategy, and digital presence at the University of Chicago. Reporting to the Director of Occupancy Management & Administration, this role brings the vibrant stories of our residential communities to life, crafting compelling narratives that reflect the dynamic living and learning experiences of our students.

As the department’s chief storyteller, the Communications and Marketing Manager will lead content creation and marketing efforts that highlight the benefits of on campus living, promote student engagement, and foster a strong sense of community. This role will strategically expand the department's digital footprint, enhance the department’s web presence, and develop targeted campaigns for prospective, current, and summer residents.

The Communications and Marketing Manager will collaborate with internal teams and external partners, including Alumni Relations and Development, The College, UChicago Creative, and campus stakeholders, to promote departmental initiatives, support fundraising efforts, and ensure consistent messaging across all platforms. They will play a pivotal role in facilitating communications during key transitions, such as move in and move out, and support crisis communications as needed.

This position requires a blend of creativity, strategic thinking, and project management skills. The ideal candidate will be adept at transforming ideas into engaging content, leading marketing campaigns, and leveraging digital tools to amplify the department’s mission.

As a standing member of the Housing & Residence Life Transitions Committee, the Communications and Marketing Manager will also contribute to the planning and execution of seamless student transitions throughout the academic year.

If you are passionate about storytelling, marketing, and creating meaningful connections within a vibrant university community, we invite you to join our team and help shape the narrative of residential life at the University of Chicago.

Responsibilities

• Content Management & Digital Strategy. Serve as the content manager for all social media platforms, currently including Instagram, and identify expansion opportunities (e.g., YouTube, Twitter, Facebook) based on departmental goals.

• Serve as administrative user of department website and digital media boards, reviewing each regularly to ensure accuracy of content and making updates as needed.

• Develop and execute digital marketing campaigns aligned with university housing strategic goals.

• Enhance the department’s web presence to boost brand aw