Director of Communications & Events

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued-and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.

Job Summary

The Director of Communications and Events provides leadership and oversight for the communications, marketing, and national visibility efforts of the Graduate School. The Director initiates School and campus committees, projects, and activities in service of the School's mission and goals. The Director of Communications manages key events and develops materials that promote the activities, initiatives, and accomplishments of the School to constituents such as alumni, current students, and prospective students. The Director of Communications is a significant contributor to the Dean's senior staff, serves as a representative of the Dean, and is the spokesperson for media outlets.

Essential Functions

Provides oversight and direction for materials representing the School

• Creates and oversees School branding.
• Develops and produces multi-media marketing and communications materials (including print publications, email, website and social media) for distribution to constituents.
• Writes feature stories, news items, press releases, etc.
• Develops, writes, designs, edits, and produces documents, posters, pamphlets, special event publications, and other material.
• Supports and oversees the coordination of written communication efforts in School units.
• Prepares annual budget recommendations for communications materials and website and participates in budget determination.
• Develops printed and digital recruitment materials and other collateral.
• Creates multimedia assets, including videos and photos.
• Supervises a team of student communications assistants.
• Evaluates and procures off-campus vendors and services.

Provides vision / guidance for use of resources and technology to meet the School's communications needs

Provides leadership to various School and campus-wide communications initiatives to produce communications pieces

Develops collateral for School events

Other Functions

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

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

Work Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8 : 30-5, with occasional nights, weekends, and outside traditional hours, as needed.

Salary Information

Salary Level 27

PSU Salary Ranges.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Upload your cover letter, resume, and a written sample, 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.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.