Study Abroad Communications Manager

Department

College Study Abroad

About the Department

The College, Study Abroad

Job Summary

The Study Abroad Communications Manager is responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive strategic marketing and communications plan to drive student enrollment in undergraduate international programs. This role serves as the primary voice for the Study Abroad Office, creating engaging content that promotes international opportunities and student success stories across digital and print platforms. The Communication Manager develops the marketing and promotional plan with the goal of increasing student participation and creating a higher profile for Study Abroad on campus and across the field. This role collaborates with College and University Communications, UChicago Creative, academic departments, faculty, and international partners to increase program visibility and ensure all communications align with UChicago brand guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Designs and implements comprehensive communication plan for Study Abroad Office.
• Aligns department and College messaging with central University brand standards.
• Writes and edits articles, press releases, newsletters, and digital stories, in consultation with Study Abroad leadership.
• Develops content and oversees all engagement with social media channels.
• Oversees Emma mail system and creates visual and written content for student-wide email messages.
• Manages Study Abroad web content and design.
• Creates innovative publicity strategies for Study Abroad programs in partnership with program managers and faculty.
• Utilizes student, faculty, and program manager generated content to create personal interest/feature stories for promotion across various platforms.
• Develops, designs, and executes annual reports for Study Abroad.
• Manages all aspects of the Study Abroad student content engagement, including annual photo, video, and writing contests.
• Designs and produces program materials, including brochures, flyers, posters, printed reports, slide decks, presentations, application forms and other applicant materials.
• Ensures content accessibility, equity-minded framing, and clear design.
• Uses data and analytics to evaluate outreach effectiveness.
• Serves as primary point of contact for media inquiries.
• Drafts announcements, presentations, and updates for Study Abroad leadership.
• Assists with sensitive or crisis communications alongside Study Abroad leadership.
• Maintains archives of Study Abroad presentations, talking points, photographs, graphs and charts, and other key messaging.
• Fosters community engagement and transparency among faculty, staff, and students.
• Manages institutional membership to professional organizations and affiliated resources, as requested.
• Keeps abreast of trends in communications and international education.
• Primary liaison to College and University Communications and UChicago Creative.
• Provides content, design, and functional support for online application platform (Via TRM).
• Designs promotional products and merchandise consistent with office branding.
• Leads Study Abroad Student Advisory Committee Meetings.
• Organizes group planning for annual Student Fair, admission sessions, and College tabling events.
• Solves a range of straightforward problems, as work assignments are difficult and broad in nature, usually requiring originality and ingenuity.
• Continues to build higher level knowledge of the University, processes and customers.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree.

Experience:

• At least 2 years of experience working in a related job discipline.
• Background in communications.
• Background in international education or a study abroad office.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency in Mac and/or PC environments.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, and Outlook; database systems; and online organizational tools.
• Proficiency in Adobe InDesign and experience with other Adobe Creative Suite applications.
• Familiar with social media platforms and managing social media accounts.
• Understanding of content management systems (CMS), such as Drupal.
• Proficiency with email marketing platforms, such as Emma.
• Familiarity and knowledge of the University of Chicago, its systems, and its constituents.

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong communications and marketing skills.
• Maintain effectiveness under deadlines.
• Maintain confidentiality and discretion at all times.
• Exercise sound judgment, critical thinking, and reasoning.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to convey the appropriate tone for different audiences, such as students, faculty, staff, and international partners.
• Handle multiple concurrent tasks in a professional manner while also meeting deadlines.
• Strong sense of teamwork.
• Take initiative to complete tasks and work both independently and cooperatively.
• Responsive to direction from supervisors.
• Handle stressful situations and remain calm under pressure.
• Resolve problems and mediate difficult situations with tact.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid office environment.
• Perform all tasks related to working with a computer, telephone, and using a photocopier for extended periods of time.
• Fast-paced, growing portfolio of international programs.
• Support event logistics, including movement of paper materials and decorations across campus.
• Occasional domestic travel.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter, showing interest in this position (required)
• References Contact Information (3) (required)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Communications

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$60,000.00 - $72,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.