Director of External Relations

The Chicago Project for Violence Prevention (CPVP) is located in the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago. CPVP works with community, city, county, state and federal partners to reduce violence in Chicago and in other communities in Illinois and throughout the nation. Founded in 1995, CPVP has built the infrastructure for community-level participation, community-government partnership, and for the development of new roles for all partners, emphasizing community capacity building, community organization, and faith leadership.

 

The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) invites candidates for the Director of External Relations position for the Chicago Project for Violence Prevention. UIC is the largest public research university in the Chicago area with more than 25,000 students and 12,000 faculty and staff. 

The Director of External Relations provides strategic oversight and implementation of the communications, marketing, public affairs and development functions within the Chicago Project for Violence Prevention.

 

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

 

·        Serve as primary advisor to the Executive Director regarding overall communications, marketing, and public affairs programs, with major program development, supervision and policy-making responsibilities.

·        Develop communications materials, including press releases, general public education pieces and case for support pieces, that will assist with gift acquisition and building awareness.

·        Serve as chief liaison to the media; develop and maintain a media relations program.

·        Coordinate fundraising activities in close partnership with the School of Public Health’s Office of Advancement and other UIC development entities.

·        Assist in developing national level board and provide support to the board.

·        Develop and maintain essential external partnerships, including those with elected officials, civic and community groups. Interact with key policy makers involved with local, state and national government.

·        Manage partnerships with advertising, marketing and communications professionals, internal and external.

·        Serve on various committees for external relations activities on behalf of the Chicago Project for Violence Prevention, internal to the University and external within the communities that are served.



  

 

Minimum Education and Work Experience:

 

·         Baccalaureate degree is required, preferably in English, journalism, liberal arts, communication sciences or a related field. Master’s degree is preferred.

·         Minimum 5 years experience in development, corporate communications, marketing or public relations with a strong emphasis on writing and communication strategy is essential.

·         Experience in non-profit or government relations is preferred.

·         Experience and demonstrated ability in planning, organizing and coordinating communications programs is preferred.

·         Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal relations skills is required.

·         Strong leadership skills, professional demeanor, attention to detail and the ability to work with donors and University constituents is preferred.

·         Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team-based organization is required.

 

This is the opportunity to join a collaborative work environment that fosters professional growth and enrichment.  Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience. UIC also offers a comprehensive benefits package.

 

To apply, please send your cover letter, resume and the names of three references to Betsy Jackman, devjobs@uic.edu , Director of Operations, University of Illinois at Chicago, Office of Development, 601 S. Morgan Street, MC 102, Chicago, IL 60607, by September 1, 2008. UIC is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer.