Marketing & Communications Project Manager - Extension, College of ACES

Marketing & Communications Project Manager - Extension, College of ACES

WE TRANSFORM LIVES. Everything we do is designed to improve the quality of life of the people in the state of Illinois, across the nation, and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminate knowledge to address societal concerns and train the next generation of experts and leaders in a way that empowers them to expand the boundaries of science to higher levels of understanding and influence. Be a part of our story. Through learning partnerships that extend knowledge and change lives, University of Illinois Extension provides educational programs aimed at making life better, healthier, safer, and more profitable for individuals and their communities. Illinois Extension has operated continuously for more than 100 years connecting the citizens of Illinois to their land-grant university by providing educational programming around the state. University of Illinois Extension is based in the College of ACES and works with all colleges and units of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Job Summary

Manage the Illinois Extension marketing and communications project management systems, assigning work, setting priorities, deadlines, and tracking project progress and client relations end-to-end. Ensure consistent brand management across all 102 counties served, providing feedback and channeling questions to the appropriate colleagues in the organization. Supervise the Office Manager in collaboration with the Director of Communications.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Project Management Manage new request processing and assignment of projects within the team project management system, ensuring deadlines are tracked and projects are delivered on time. Coordinate use of communications team staff time needed to support delivery of projects as outlined in project scope documentation. Develop and maintain project management system organization and update and customize project intake forms, task templates, and rules to optimize project workflow and optimize team functionality. Identify the need for systems, provide research and recommendations, and execute system development. Provide client service and consistent communications to project requesters. Supervise and oversee development, updates, and dissemination of formalized MarCom processes such as proofing, team file storage, project workflow, and merchandise checkouts from MarCom inventory. Prepare, organize, and manage annual project schedules; determine deliverables and set deadlines; produce deliverables and coordinate with other staff or outside vendors to meet deadlines and deliver projects on time and on budget.
• Supervision/Leadership Assign projects and daily work to office manager both from field requests and in collaboration with the Director of Communications and Assistant Director of Workforce Development. Provide direction and support to office manager for handling Extension email inbox communications, overseeing inventory for MarCom merchandise, and creating MarCom weekly marketing update email distributed widely to Extension staff. Mentor and provide guidance to other members of the marketing and communications team regarding project progression, efficiencies, and managing client expectations. Comply with all University of Illinois Extension Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity policies and guidelines.
• Brand Management/Training Oversee Extension brand identity in relation to its use across all 27 Extension units, including monitoring adherence to brand guidelines provided by Extension and the University of Illinois. Collaborate with Extension communications staff to Identify, design, and deliver professional development experiences for salaried and civil service staff located throughout the state with the goals of increasing staff efficiency and marketing and communications effectiveness.
• Special Projects Manage and execute a limited portfolio of marketing projects.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in marketing, business administration, communications, public relations, or a closely related field. Five (5) years of professional work experience in marketing, public relations, communications, brand management, or a related professional area. Demonstrated project management experience in a multi-client, multi-project environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in management, marketing, advertising, business administration, communications, public relations, web design, business analytics, or related field. Experience in working in a higher ed environment. Knowledge of purpose and mission of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences and University of Illinois Extension.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of project management systems, basic knowledge of graphic design, marketing, and writing. Strong attention to detail, timeliness, interpersonal skills, and teamwork. Strong communication skills. Skills in client relations and managing a broad portfolio of projects.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5004 - Marketing Associate position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. The budgeted salary range for the position is $55,000 - $65,000. For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on September 25, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through 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 View email address on click.appcast.io. For questions regarding the application process, please contact View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Champaign-Urbana

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 intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.

Out-of-state candidates must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days of the start date for this position. Illinois residency requires proof of a valid Illinois Driver's License or state of Illinois ID Card. Failure to produce the required documentation within 180 calendar days will result in immediate termination of employment.

Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at View phone number on click.appcast.io, option #1, or View email address on click.appcast.io.