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 awareness and engagement.
Research, suggest, and implement direct marketing methods to increase reputation, trust, and visibility.
Resident & Community Communications. Implement comprehensive communications and marketing plans for large-scale department activities, including but not limited to: move in, move out and returning student room selection
Effectively respond to inquiries received through department email account and housing portal live chat tool.
Develop, schedule, and assess resident communications related to housing assignments, and related processes, and facilities updates.
Facilitate routine communications about residence hall life, including community living expectations, roommate relationships, facilities requests, and student transitions (e.g., moving to Chicago, adapting to city life and weather, and learning independent living skills).
Work closely with the Operations and Residence Life functional areas to align communications with real-time facility and student life needs, helping guide and direct resident behavior.
Marketing & Brand Development. Promote the on-campus living experience and disseminate departmental achievements and initiatives.
Develop and execute marketing campaigns targeting third- and fourth-year students, and summer housing groups and attendees.
Collaborate with Alumni Relations and Development to highlight housing initiatives and support fundraising campaigns.
Events & Strategic Initiatives. Lead communications for departmental transitions, including move-in and move-out periods each quarter, ensuring clear, timely, and effective messaging.
Plan and execute brand-building events that foster a vibrant and engaged residential community.
Serve as a permanent member of the Housing & Residence Life Transitions Committee, contributing to processes, training, logistics, and communications.
Crisis & Emergency Communications. Assist with crisis communication efforts and develop proactive marketing and communication strategies to manage sensitive issues effectively.
While not part of a formal on-call crisis rotation, the Communications and Marketing Manager may be required to craft or disseminate urgent messages after normal business hours, including during university holidays, closures, or other emergency situations.
Plans, develops and disseminates information designed to keep the public informed of the organization's programs, accomplishments, or point of view, with moderate levels of guidance and direction.
Solves a range of straightforward problems, as work assignments are difficult and broad in nature, usually requiring originality and ingenuity.
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:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing, or related field.
Experience:
- Three to five years of professional experience in communications, marketing, internal communications, public relations, media relations, or a related field.
- Experience working with leadership, writing or editing for news publications, managing social media content, and developing digital strategy.
- Experience in content strategy, copywriting, content design, project management, and marketing strategy.
- Experience in a higher education setting.
Technical Skills or Knowledge:
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Canva and Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat).
Preferred Competencies
- Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and make independent decisions.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a fast paced environment with composure and professionalism.
- Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
- Strong organizational, planning, and editing skills with a customer service orientation.
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office , Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, and emerging AI technologies for content creation and digital strategy.
- Ability to articulate creative vision and collaborate with graphic designers and videographers at UChicago Creative.
- Strong brand management, audience segmentation, and marketing analytics skills.
- Ability to function both autonomously and as part of a team.
- A sense of humor, collaborative spirit, and ability to lead through influence.
Working Conditions
- Fast-paced work environment that often requires multi-tasking and may include periodic interruptions.
- Sitting for long periods of time while working in typical office environment.
- Periodic walking to other campus locations.
- Ability to lift 10-15 pounds.
- The typical work week is Monday-Friday with some requirements for evening and weekend work to support residence hall and University events and activities. Regular in-person office presence is required. Specific schedule details will be shared during the interview process.
Application Documents
- Resume/CV (required)
- Cover Letter, including a link to a digital portfolio of previous relevant work or upload of marketing materials (required)
- Three professional references (required)
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
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Range
$64,000.00 - $75,000.00
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 theBenefits 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.
