Director of Communications - Instructional Excellence

UMass Amherst; Amherst (MA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

UMass Amherst in Amherst, MA invites applications for a Director of Communications - Instructional Excellence. The role leads strategic communications for IDEAS and CTL, guiding editorial standards, brand strategy, and staff supervision.

Reporting to the Associate Provost, you will align cross-unit messaging with institutional priorities, manage Marketing Cloud email campaigns, analyze web metrics, and collaborate with UR/IT to optimize communications across offices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 5+ years of professional experience in communications/marketing.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Creative, strategic and analytical mindset.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork abilities.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction for CTL and IDEAS units with leadership.
• Direct a portfolio of communications projects and marketing initiatives.
• Develop and maintain unit branding and editorial standards.
• Coordinate faculty communications for CTL/IDEAS programs.
• Measure effectiveness using analytics and other tools.
• Supervise communications staff and conduct performance reviews.
• Collaborate with IDEAS media team on multi-media content.
• Manage Marketing Cloud email marketing and protocols.

Skills

Communication

Strategic thinking

Analytical ability

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Drupal

Marketing Cloud

Web CMS

Job description

Title: Director of Communications - Instructional Excellence

Executive Area: Academic Affairs

College/School/MBU: Admin Support Units

Department: Ideas-Instructional Design & Support

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule: Full Time

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Job Summary

Reporting to the Associate Provost for Instructional Excellence, the Director of Communications organizes and leads the strategic communications and internal marketing for the Instructional Excellence unit, including Instructional Design, Engagement, and Support (IDEAS) and the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). They provide strategic guidance to unit leadership, develop a brand strategy to advance the mission and profile of the Instructional Excellence unit, manage editorial standards, communications workflows, and publication processes across offices, evaluate web analytics and performance data, and supervise communications staff.

Essential Functions

• Sets strategic direction for the CTL and IDEAS units in partnership with the Associate Provost for Instructional Excellence. Aligns cross-unit strategy with university leadership and internal stakeholders to advance the mission and profile of the Instructional Excellence unit in support of institutional priorities.
• Directs a dynamic portfolio of communications projects, balancing immediate needs with long‑term priorities, and leads execution of all marketing and communications initiatives.
• Creates and maintains unit branding and editorial standards for production, writing, and quality in alignment with University Relations (UR) and Information Technology (IT) policies. Edits and guides content to ensure a consistent voice while preserving each office's distinct role and function.
• Collaborates with UR and institutional stakeholders to coordinate faculty communications related to CTL and IDEAS award programs, fellowships, and related initiatives.
• Sets performance benchmarks and evaluates the effectiveness of CTL and IDEAS communications efforts and web resources using web analytics and other evaluation tools. Recommends and implements improvements to communication strategy and marketing initiatives based on performance data, audience needs, and emerging trends.
• Supervises professional communications staff to ensure seamless support across CTL and IDEAS. Sets expectations, assigns work, provides ongoing coaching and feedback, and conducts annual performance evaluations.
• Collaborates with the IDEAS media team to plan and produce multi‑media marketing and communications content.
• Manages the Marketing Cloud email marketing platform and develops protocols for high quality and effective mass email communications to campus audiences.
• Represents the unit on the UMass Amherst Marketing & Communications Council in Marcom's Marketing Cloud User Group and represents the institution at professional conferences.

Other Functions

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Over five (5) years of professional experience supporting communications, marketing, or digital content management.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong creative, strategic, and analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work both independently and in a team environment and to promote teamwork, diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to prioritize work, coordinate projects with multiple stakeholders and deadlines, manage time efficiently, and follow through on assignments.
• Strong computer skills with the ability to learn new systems quickly.
• The ability to exercise sound judgement and maintain confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a higher education setting.
• Experience writing and editing content for multiple communications channels.
• Experience using web content management systems (e.g. Drupal).
• Experience with mass communication platforms (e.g. Marketing Cloud).

Additional Details

This position is subject to final budgetary and administrative approval.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a standard office or indoor university environment and involves minimal physical exertion.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm.

May be required to work occasionally after 5pm during the week to support events.

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

Pay Grade: PSSAP Grade 28

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified.