Marketing and Communications Coordinator - Civil and Environmental Engineering

**Marketing and Communications Coordinator**

**Illinois Center for Transportation**

**Civil & Environmental Engineering**

**University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign**

 

**Position is located in Rantoul, IL**

The Illinois Center for Transportation (ICT), within the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE) at The Grainger College of Engineering, seeks applicants for the position of Marketing and Communications Coordinator. The coordinator manages the Center’s communications channels and supports outreach initiatives through print and digital content development, data analysis, and reporting. The position collaborates with CEE and the college’s Office of Marketing and Communications (OMC) to support shared research priorities, brand, and reputation strategies.

ICT is located in Rantoul, Illinois, on the former Chanute Air Force Base and the future site of the 238+ acre Illinois Autonomous and Connected Track (I-ACT). The Center is advancing transportation research in the rapidly growing field of smart mobility.

**Duties and Responsibilities:**

**Content Development, Writing and Channel Management**

* Write, edit, and proofread clear, accurate, and engaging technical articles, research news stories, features, and profiles that highlight key findings and convey the impact of ICT’s transportation research and its contributions to CEE and Grainger Engineering research.
* Use independent research skills and conduct interviews with principal investigators, researchers, and sponsoring agency representatives to identify technical content, gather information, and develop research narratives.
* Execute against established communications priorities for ICT, translating goals into coordinated content production across channels and ensuring deliverables are completed on time and on brand.
* Create timely, relevant content and manage ICT communications channels, including, but not limited to, websites, intranet, training databases, email, e-newsletters, social media platforms, digital advertising, print publications, promotional materials, and talking points. Coordinate with the department IT unit as appropriate.
* Develop and manage content calendars for ICT channels, coordinating story timelines, post scheduling, and production deadlines to ensure content is planned in advance and consistently aligned with department and college priorities and communications goals.
* Coordinate the full lifecycle of print and digital collateral for ICT, from intake and content development through creative review, production, and distribution.
* Provide quality assurance on all materials produced for ICT, ensuring accuracy, AP Style compliance, and full alignment with Grainger Engineering and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign brand and messaging standards before publication or distribution.

**Training Development and Outreach Support**

* Develop and maintain digital training courses and materials for multi-functional areas, including interactive content, graphics, video, audio, assessments, and other learning resources.
* Assist with ICT events, webinars, conferences, training activities, and other outreach initiatives, including development of presentations and promotional materials.

**Strategy and Planning**

* Help coordinate annual communications planning and priority setting for ICT with center leadership and the Technical Communications Manager, establishing a clear roadmap of content priorities, campaigns, and channel activities for the year.
* Serve as ICT’s communications liaison and partner to CEE and Grainger Engineering’s OMC, coordinating priorities, sharing content opportunities, and connecting the Center’s communications efforts with department and college initiatives.
* Participate in Grainger Engineering OMC planning, professional development, working groups, and communities of practice to foster collaboration, alignment, and shared learning across the college’s marketing and communications community.

**Tracking & Reporting**

* Develop, track and report on marketing performance across all channels, compiling data and presenting insights to ICT leadership regularly.
* Collect, organize, and analyze program, training, and survey data; develop reports, charts, dashboards, and visual summaries to communicate results and trends.
* Maintain reporting tools that support ICT marketing decision-making and communicate campaign effectiveness to key stakeholders.
* Conduct periodic reviews of marketing activity to evaluate effectiveness, identify gaps, and surface recommendations that improve how the team prioritizes and executes work.

**Other Duties**

* Assume additional duties related to marketing and communications to further the mission of ICT, CEE, and Grainger Engineering.
* Other duties as assigned.

**Minimum Qualifications:**

* Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, public relations, business administration, digital media, or a closely related field.
* Two (2) years of professional experience in marketing, communications, public relations, content development, brand management, or a related professional area.
* Demonstrated professional writing and editing experience.

**Preferred Qualifications:**

* Three (3) or more years of demonstrated experience in communications, marketing, or a related field, with a track record of producing content and managing channel activity across multiple platforms.
* Demonstrated experience writing and editing for a range of formats and audiences, including news stories, features, social media, email, and web content.
* Demonstrated experience writing about engineering, computing or STEM research topics or an ability to quickly develop fluency in technical subject matter.
* Demonstrated experience using performance data or analytics to evaluate content and channel effectiveness and inform decisions.
* Experience with creating learning and development tools, content management systems, as well as software programs (such as inDesign, Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator).

 

**Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:**

* Strong written communication skills, including mastery of grammar, AP Style and the ability to produce error-free, compelling content across a range of formats and audiences.
* Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to engage effectively with faculty, staff, leadership, and external partners across organizational levels.
* Ability to translate complex, technical, or specialized subject matter into clear, compelling narratives for broad audiences.
* Analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and apply insights to continuously improve outreach and marketing performance.
* Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, meeting deadlines, and adapting quickly to shifting priorities.
* Collaborative, team-oriented work style with the ability to build trust and maintain strong working relationships across a matrixed organization.

**APPOINTMENT INFORMATION**

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

The budgeted salary range for this position is $60,000 - $65,000.  Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

Fully On-Site - This position will be expected to work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on a full-time basis per the [University’s Workplace Flexibility policy](https://cam.illinois.edu/policies/hr-87-2/). 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 <https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx>.

**APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINE INFORMATION**

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on**December 3, 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 https://jobs.illinois.edu 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 Stacie Mertes 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.

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*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 inte