Director of Advancement Communications and Publications

Westfield State University; Westfield (MA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Retirement Plan

Tuition Discounts

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Westfield State University seeks a Director of Advancement Communications and Publications to lead donor cultivation communications, campaigns, and publication strategy. The role oversees print and digital outputs including the University Magazine and President's Annual Report, while partnering with the WSU Foundation and Alumni Association.

The in-person, exempt position drives editorial strategy, manages a team and volunteers, and coordinates with the VP for Institutional Advancement to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, English, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field.
• At least 3–5 years of professional experience creating and leading external communications plans.
• Experience managing publications from concept through production, including editorial planning, writing, editing, and publication management.
• Experience developing executive-level communications, speeches, annual reports, or leadership messaging.
• Experience leading complex communications or marketing projects involving multiple stakeholders and priorities.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to identify story placement opportunities and think strategically about communications.
• Demonstrated interviewing skills for content development.
• Competency with digital communications and social media.

Responsibilities

• Develops, implements, and manages annual communication and constituent engagement plans aligned with the institutional Strategic Plan.
• Plans and executes a robust annual alumni relations program marketing plan, including events, talks, and volunteer opportunities.
• Oversees design and distribution of print and digital marketing for Institutional Advancement programs and initiatives.
• Writes and edits compelling stories highlighting benefactors, donors, students, and alumni for use in publications and social media.
• Collaborates on scheduling and distribution to ensure timely delivery of annual impact reports to donors.

Skills

Excellent written and oral comms

Story development and interviewing

Digital communications and socialmedia

Editorial planning and publication mgm

Project management

Strategic communications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications/English/Journalism/Public Relations or related field

Job description

Director of Advancement Communications andPublications

Campus Title: Director of AdvancementCommunications and Publications

State Job Title: Director

Department: Institutional Advancement

Job Code: HA6000

FLSA Status: Exempt

Funding: 7115-6014

Bargaining Unit: APA

Job Type: Full-Time Permanent

Timeframe: 52 Weeks

Shift: Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm

Regular Days Off: Saturday and Sunday

Salary: $95,000-$100,000 Annually (salarycommensurate with education and experience)

This is a fully in-person position at Westfield State University,with all duties performed on campus during the employee's regularlyscheduled work hours to support direct engagement with students,colleagues, and the campus community, unless your position requirestravel to perform said duties.

General Statement of Duties:

The Director is responsible for managing the day-to-day functionsof Westfield State's growing communications program by planning,supporting, and executing communications to support the donorcultivation process for a comprehensive campaign and generalInstitutional Advancement friend and fundraising efforts. Inaddition, the position oversees the redevelopment of publicationsand print and digital communications in support of WSU, the WSUFoundation, Inc., and the WSU Alumni Association. With guidancefrom the Executive Director for the Campaign (EDC), the Directordevelops strategies and effectively manages a diverse set ofvolunteers, communications, and events to meet the AdvancementOffice's engagement goals involving alumni, parents, communitymembers, volunteers, and donors.

With guidance from the Vice President of Institutional Advancement(VPIA), the Director collaborates with other divisions on campus onthe development of college publications, including, but not limitedto, the Alumni/University Magazine, University Impact Report,President's Annual Report, and a comprehensive divisionalcommunications plan.

This position involves regular and extensive interaction with thePresident's Office, faculty and staff, donors and prospects,community leaders, high-level volunteers, and alumni.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Duties include but not limited to:

Essential:

• Works with the EDC and the VPIA to establish long-term goalsand objectives for alumni and donor relations programs; recommendsshort- and long-range strategies to support WSU's mission andadvancement goals.
• Develops, implements, and manages annual communication andconstituent engagement plans aligned with the institutionalStrategic Plan.
• Supports the implementation and appropriate use of WSU brandguidelines across the Office of Institutional Advancement.
• Ensures all communications produced by InstitutionalAdvancement comply with University branding standards, editorialguidelines, and applicable digital accessibility requirements.
• In collaboration with the Director of Alumni Relations and withinput from the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement(EDIA), plans and implements a robust annual alumni relationsprogram marketing plan, including social events, talks, andvolunteer opportunities that reflect WSU's distinct culture andengage alumni from all backgrounds and life stages.
• Develops and maintains a comprehensive annual editorial andcommunications calendar that aligns Institutional Advancementinitiatives with the University's strategic priorities andfundraising objectives and oversees the design and distribution ofprint and digital marketing for Institutional Advancement programsand initiatives.
• Develops and evaluates communication metrics to measureengagement, audience reach, and the effectiveness of campaigns,publications, and constituent communications, using data to informfuture communication strategies.
• Helps manage and advise on alumni and friends social mediachannels.
• Supports event staffing and logistics for InstitutionalAdvancement programs and events as needed.
• Serves as the convener of a University Magazine working groupto create and execute a plan for a new University Magazine. Thisgroup should include staff, faculty, students, alumni, andothers.
• Serves as lead writer and content creator for major Universitypublications and Advancement materials, including the President'sReport and University Magazine.
• Writes and edits compelling journalistic stories highlightingbenefactors, beneficiaries, donors, students, and alumni for use inpublications, newsletters, press releases, correspondence, socialmedia, and marketing to support the Campaign and otherInstitutional Advancement efforts.
• Compiles regular constituent correspondence and collaboratesacross departments to maintain consistent messaging in outreachmaterials.
• Collaborates with Donor Relations and Institutional Advancementstaff to ensure timely delivery of annual impact reports to donors,serving as lead writer and designer for content and layout.
• Works with the EDC, EDIA, and Senior Annual Giving Officer toembed student-focused storytelling into donor stewardship throughvideos, handwritten notes, and personalized outreach.
• Supports the design and production of materials for the WSUFoundation and fundraising initiatives, including brochures, appealletters, newsletters, and branded items.
• Collaborates with Institutional Advancement staff to create andmanage digital outreach, advertising, and strategy for donorappeals and community events such as Giving Day andstudent-centered fundraising efforts.
• Manages complex communications and project workflows withminimal supervision, ensuring quality and timeliness.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Communications, English,Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field.
• At least three to five years of professional experiencecreating and leading the execution of an external communicationsplan, preferably in a college or university setting.
• Experience managing publications from concept throughproduction, including editorial planning, writing, editing, andpublication management.
• Experience developing executive-level communications, speeches,annual reports, or leadership messaging.
• Experience leading complex communications or marketing projectsinvolving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Effectively manages multiple projects, balances priorities, andmeets deadlines.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to identify story placement opportunities and thinkstrategically about communications.
• Demonstrated interviewing skills for content development.
• Competency with digital communications and social media.

Additional Information:

Salary:

Salaries for current Westfield State University employees andindividuals currently working for the state of Massachusetts mustbe calculated individually in accordance with collective bargainingagreements as well as state policies. State job specifications maybe found on the Department of Higher Education's webpage.

Employee Benefits:

Benefits are an important component of an employee's totalcompensation package.

• Health Insurance: Westfield State offers a variety of HMO, POS,and PPO-type health insurance plans for eligible employees.Coverage is effective on the 1st of the month following the date ofhire. Exceptions to employees hired on the 1st of the month,coverage is effective immediately.
• Retirement: the MA State Employee Retirement System provideseligible employees with a retirement pension following a 10-yearvesting period. In lieu of the retirement pension, eligibleemployees may select the Optional Retirement Plan with a maximum 5%employer matching contribution.
• Tuition Waivers & Discounts: eligible employees, includingspouses and dependent children, receive reduced tuition at MA statecolleges, community colleges, and universities.
• Paid Time Off: employees receive 12 paid holidays and generousvacation, personal, and sick leave benefits.
• Additional information regarding employee benefits is availableon the University's Benefits & Wellness webpage.

Disability Accommodations

Westfield State University is committed to the full inclusion ofindividuals with disabilities and will ensure the availability ofreasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is neededto participate in the job application or interview process, pleasecontact Human Resources at [phone] or visit us in the HoraceMann Building, 1st floor.

Background Check

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion and reviewof a background check. A criminal record will not automaticallydisqualify an applicant from consideration.