Director of Communications - Instructional Excellence

University of Massachusetts Amherst; Amherst (MA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Massachusetts Amherst is seeking a Director of Communications - Instructional Excellence to lead strategic communications for the IDEAS and CTL units. The role directs branding, editorial standards, and cross-unit collaboration with UR and IT, shaping messaging across multiple platforms.

The position provides leadership to communications staff, collaborates with stakeholders, and enhances engagement through data-driven marketing and content strategy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills required.
• Strong creative, strategic, and analytical skills required.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment with commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction for CTL and IDEAS in partnership with leadership.
• Direct a portfolio of communications projects and manage marketing initiatives.
• Establish unit branding and editorial standards in line with UR/IT policies.
• Coordinate faculty communications for CTL and IDEAS awards and initiatives.
• Measure effectiveness with web analytics and performance data; implement improvements.
• Supervise communications staff and conduct annual performance evaluations.
• Collaborate with IDEAS media team on multimedia content production.
• Manage Marketing Cloud email communications protocols.

Skills

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Technical aptitude

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Drupal

Marketing Cloud

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