Marketing Copywriter

Department

ADV Marketing & Communications

About the Department

The Advancement Office engages alumni (~220k), current students, parents, and friends of the University through intellectual, professional and social activities on campus, around the world and online. Advancement raises $600 Million annually to support faculty and researchers, practitioners and patients, and students and programs across the University. Our work supports priorities in every division, school, department, and institute.

The Digital Communications team is responsible for digital marketing deliverables such as marketing appeals, print email, websites, web forms, online giving and social media. The team collaborates with design and editorial teams as well as program managers to develop and deploy digital marketing communications.

Job Summary

The Marketing Copywriter plays a key role in shaping how alumni and donors connect with the University of Chicago’s mission and impact. This position translates complex ideas into clear, compelling, and audience-centered messages across a variety of channels. Working as part of the marketing strategy team and in collaboration with campus partners and colleagues across Advancement, this role assists in executing integrated marketing plans that strengthen the University of Chicago’s brand, engage alumni, and advance philanthropic goals.

This role writes a variety of communications for the University. Works with moderate guidance to research, compose, and edit high-level communications, publications and/or reports with complex and specialized subject matter.

Responsibilities

• Writes, edits, and proofreads clear, compelling, and on-brand copy for a variety of marketing and communications channels, including print collateral, websites, email campaigns, social media, videos, and event materials.
• Develops engaging narratives that reflect the University’s voice, tone, and brand identity while connecting with diverse audiences, including prospective students, alumni, donors, faculty, and the broader community.
• Translates complex academic, research, and institutional topics into accessible, persuasive, and inspiring content that resonates with non-specialist audiences.
• Collaborates with marketing strategists, designers, multimedia producers, and other communicators to ensure cohesive storytelling across integrated campaigns.
• Conducts interviews with faculty, students, alumni, and subject matter experts to gather information and create compelling feature stories, profiles, and promotional content.
• Adapts messaging for different platforms, audiences, and campaign goals while maintaining consistency in voice and style.
• Applies knowledge of higher education trends, audiences, and competitive positioning to inform content strategy and strengthen message impact.
• Works with the marketing and communications team to review and edit content for accuracy, clarity, and alignment with institutional priorities.
• Manages multiple writing projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines and maintaining high editorial standards.
• Stays current on best practices in higher education marketing, digital engagement, and storytelling to continuously enhance content quality and relevance.
• Ensures all content adheres to University editorial, accessibility, and brand guidelines.
• Performs other related duties as assigned to support the goals of the marketing and communications department.
• Seeks opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance including attending webinars, seminars, building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.
• Researches, verifies, writes and edits publications, which can includes technical/scientific material for manuals or journals.
• Participates in the design and planning of communications strategies.
• 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 or advanced degree.

Experience:

• Minimum two years of professional experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales or similar field.
• Background with data analysis and communicating complex topics to non-technical people.
• Managing cross-team projects.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency in or ability to learn WordPress or other CMS tools.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Teams.
• Proficiency in writing for web and understanding of SEO principles.
• Demonstrated skill and knowledge of, or ability to learn quickly, the internal workings of the University as well as the technology tools available to Advancement, including Phoenix, the University's Donor Relationship Management System.
• Proficiency in a Microsoft Windows computer environment, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent written communication and editing skills across multiple platforms and formats.
• Strong grasp of digital user behavior and how to write content that drives action across the funnel.
• Adapt tone and message for diverse audiences that includes prospective students, parents, donors, and internal audiences.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively. Explain complex ideas clearly and simply.
• Manage confidential information with discretion and tact.
• Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.
• Self-motivated and take initiative.
• Prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.

Working Conditions

• This position has a hybrid work schedule which includes weekly in office presence.
• Standard office environment.
• Travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business.
• Work evenings and weekends as needed.
• This position is located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)

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

$61,200.00 - $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.