Director of Library Engagement & Impact

The University of Texas at Arlington; Arlington (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Professional development

Campus events exposure

Job summary

The University of Texas at Arlington Libraries seeks a Director of Engagement & Impact to lead marketing, communications, engagement, assessment, and donor stewardship. You will align activities with the Libraries’ goals, supervise a multidisciplinary team, and partner with campus and advancement colleagues to raise visibility and impact.

The role emphasizes evidence-based planning, high-quality storytelling, and strategic direction across print, digital, and events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, information science, public administration, or a related field and three (3) years of supervisory experience.
• Significant progressively responsible experience in communications, advancement, assessment, or organizational leadership.
• Experience developing strategies, overseeing campaigns, producing high-level messaging, and translating organizational goals into integrated marketing and engagement strategies that produce measurable outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, vision, and structure for the department, unifying efforts across Communications, Development, and Impact subunits.
• Oversee branding, messaging, and organizational communications across channels.
• Lead donor relations and advancement partnerships in collaboration with university campaigns.
• Promote evidence-based planning and use data to inform strategic decisions.
• Represent the library on the Executive Leadership Team and at campus events.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Storytelling

Stakeholder relations

Data analysis

Accessibility WCAG

Project management

Mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Purpose of Position

The Director of Engagement & Impact provides strategic leadership for UTA Libraries’ marketing, communications, engagement, assessment, and donor stewardship functions. This role advances the Libraries’ visibility, reputation, and impact through integrated strategies, evidence-based decision-making, team leadership, and collaboration with internal, campus, and advancement partners.

Essential Functions

Administrative Leadership

• Provide leadership, vision, and structure for the department, unifying efforts across the Communications, Development, and Impact subunits.
• Provide direct supervision, coaching, mentoring, and professional development for a multidisciplinary team of communications, engagement, and assessment professionals.
• Establish expectations and quality standards for communications, marketing, engagement, and assessment work.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture grounded in transparency, efficiency, innovation, and user-centered service.
• Oversee budgeting, reporting, project pipelines, and resource allocation for the office.

Brand, Messaging, and Communications Oversight

• Oversee the Libraries’ brand strategy, editorial calendar, and organizational messaging to ensure alignment across all channels and audiences.
• Direct high-level storytelling, impact narratives, and communication strategies that elevate the visibility of Libraries initiatives, programs, and achievements.
• Guide and evaluate the quality, effectiveness, accessibility, visual presentation, and strategic alignment of communications and marketing products across all platforms.
• Provide strategic direction for creative workflows, content development, campaign planning, and audience-centered communications practices.

Development, Donor Relations, and Advancement Partnership

• In close collaboration with and under the strategic direction of the Director of Development for the UTA Libraries, supports efforts to expand philanthropic support for the Libraries through coordinated donor stewardship, recognition, and fundraising initiatives for the UTA Friends of the Libraries.
• Partner with Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) to coordinate Libraries’ participation in university-wide development initiatives and opportunities such as annual giving campaigns, engagement events, etc.

Assessment, Evidence, and Impact Integration

• Promote a culture of evidence-based planning and continuous improvement across the Libraries, ensuring that data, user insights, and performance measures inform strategic decisions.
• Integrate assessment findings into storytelling, donor materials, leadership reporting, and external communications.

Libraries’ Leadership

• Serve on the Library’s Executive Leadership and Directors’ Team, contributing to organization-wide strategy, planning, and operational decision-making.
• Represent the library at campus-wide initiatives, donor events, community partnerships, and professional conferences.

Required Qualifications

Performs other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, information science, public administration, or a related field and three (3) years of supervisory experience.
• Significant progressively responsible experience in communications, advancement, assessment, or organizational leadership.
• Experience developing strategies, overseeing campaigns, producing high-level messaging, and translating organizational goals into integrated marketing and engagement strategies that produce measurable outcomes is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, public administration, or a related field with experience in higher education, libraries, nonprofits, or other mission-driven organizations where success depends on collaborative stakeholder relationships and shared governance.
• Experience supporting donor engagement, stewardship communications, and partnership development in collaboration with advancement professionals.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams that include communications, development, and assessment; and an understanding of UX principles, digital engagement strategies, and evidence-based storytelling.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Exceptional communication, storytelling, relationship-building, and collaboration skills, with high emotional intelligence and a commitment to transparency and service excellence.
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic leadership for complex initiatives, leading cross-functional teams, navigating organizational change, and translating vision into measurable results.
• Demonstrated ability to lead integrated communications and marketing initiatives, including content strategy, audience engagement, brand management, creative direction, and communications assessment across print, digital, social, and multimedia platforms.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to use data and impact measures to inform decision-making, evaluate outcomes, and solve complex problems.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback, mentorship, and professional coaching to communications and creative professionals.
• Strong understanding of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and Section 508 accessibility requirements.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize competing demands and manage multiple projects effectively.
• Strong aesthetic judgment and understanding of contemporary communication trends and practices.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.

Work Schedule

• Monday through Friday; 8:00am through 5:00pm
• 10% Travel.
• Requires occasional evening or weekend hours.
• Professional development, conferences, and training may require travel and/or overnight accommodations.
• Flexibility is required to ensure the department is appropriately staffed in order to satisfy all service needs.

Additional Information

Who Will Thrive In This Role

Successful candidates are strategic leaders who have experience directing communications, marketing, engagement, public relations, or related functions in complex organizations. They excel at coaching creative professionals, providing constructive feedback, ensuring high-quality communications products, and aligning communications activities with organizational priorities. While experience with advancement and donor engagement is valued, the successful candidate's primary strength will be developing and leading communications and engagement strategies that support development initiatives.

Benefits Information

Position is benefit eligible: Yes

We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to our employees at the University.

https://www.uta.edu/hr/employee-benefits