About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The Director of Marketing and Communications (DMC) for the College of Humanities and Fine Arts (HFA) is responsible for the strategic oversight and implementation of the College's marketing and communication efforts to assure that a consistent image of excellence is portrayed in all materials and for developing strategies, policies, and procedures for enhancing that image.

The DMC develops and implements branding, communications, and marketing strategies, for ensuring the quality and scope of multi-media output and coverage, and for measuring its effectiveness in achieving marketing goals. The DMC promotes the College's brand through traditional and non-traditional public relations, promotional events/vehicles, and advertising in support of all activities, including but not limited to, alumni relations, arts events, advising and career services, and faculty accomplishments. The DMC exercises direct supervisory and hiring responsibility over web development/administrative, communications, and editorial staff (both full-time staff and student employees), and oversees other staff engaged in marketing efforts within their individual units, departments, programs, centers, and service areas to assure integration related to all marketing and communication efforts. The DMC also serves as a liaison with upper-level administration in the offices of University Relations, Admissions, Information Technology, and others. The DMC interacts with media outlets on and off campus, using judgment and discretion in order to best represent the College.

Essential Functions

Marketing and Communications

Develops and produces digital and printed marketing and communications collateral for distribution to on- and off-campus audiences. Works with Dean’s Office staff, Department Chairs, faculty members, students, and others to develop projects and ideas and prepare content.
Oversees branding standards on behalf of the College and its departments and programs. Implements brand standards across the College in order to promote a consistent image of excellence.
Oversees, designs, and generates content for the production of posters, pamphlets, special publications, web pages, reports and all other digital and desktop publications.

Social Media and Online Communications

Oversees the development and design of the College’s website and department website network. Upholds web design and content standards. Oversees and provides website support for the College’s academic departments.
Oversees and manages the content and layout of the College’s website. Directs ongoing development of the College’s website and maintains it with fresh and timely content.
Provides technical advice to the College’s academic departments and programs in the creation of new websites.
Develops, implements, and utilizes new resources to promote the College and its activities. Stays abreast of new technologies and industry best practices as they emerge and evolve.
Directs the design and preparation of print and digital communications for the College's 14 academic departments. Reviews departmental publications to ensure the College's development and alumni relations objectives are met. Ensures compliance with College and University branding standards.

Public and Alumni Relations

Creates and prepares materials supporting alumni relations efforts. Provides expertise in other activities, initiatives, and projects undertaken by Dean’s Office staff.
Drafts speeches, public statements, and letters for the Dean.
Acts as Executive Editor for the College. Develops content strategy. Researches and identifies story concepts. Oversees story production. Arranges and conducts interviews with story subjects such as alumni, faculty, staff, and students. Writes feature stories, articles, news items, captions, etc.
Manages public relations for the College. Prepares press releases and stories and provides expertise on media-related inquiries about the College.
Serves as a liaison to the University News and Media Relations Office, University Relations, Admissions, Information Technology and off-campus media outlets.
Plans, writes, edits, and produces a regular newsletter for alumni and current students. Manages and maintains the newsletters' mailing lists.
Reviews departmental newsletters and alumni communications.

Administration

Identifies, evaluates, contracts, and directs on- and off-campus graphic designers, photographers, videographers, and other services. Prepares specifications, proposes budgets, and tracks bidding for such goods and services in accordance with established regulations. Supervises production and distribution of materials. Oversees and follows up on payment to vendors.
Develops an annual budget recommendation to meet communications, events, and publication needs and participate in budget planning and determination.

Other Functions

Performs related duties as assigned or required to meet Department, Executive Area/Division, and University goals and objectives.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

Bachelor’s Degree and more than 3 years of experience producing creative outputs.
Knowledge and experience in marketing, public relations and communications principles and standards.
Advanced knowledge of social media usage to affect organizational communications goals.
Demonstrated ability to write clearly, concisely, and compellingly.
Knowledge and experience with publication design, advertising, and marketing principles. Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Suite.
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel. Knowledge and experience with HTML, CSS, and other common web languages.
Ability to work independently, problem solve, take initiative, set priorities, handle multiple projects, and exercise good judgment in a fast-paced, dynamic, deadline-driven environment in an organized and professional manner.
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively.
Ability to travel independently and availability to work some evenings and weekends.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

Master’s Degree in Humanities, Fine Arts, Public Relations, Marketing, Communications, Journalism, Business or related field.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Typical office environment.

Additional Details

Reports to the Dean of the College.

Work Schedule

37.5 hours per week.
Required to work some nights and weekends.
This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information

Level 28

Exempt Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Upload your cover letter and resume, along with your completed application. Our team will check references at the final stage of the interview process. Please be prepared to provide contact information for at least three (3) professional references. This position will remain open until filled or the advertised closing date, whichever occurs first. Early submissions are recommended.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

University of Massachusetts Amherst

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