Marketing and Assessment Specialist (On-Site)

University of California Merced; California; On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Part time

Job summary

University of California, Merced is seeking a Marketing & Communications Specialist to support division-wide storytelling and strategic communications. This part-time role elevates visibility of Student Affairs initiatives, connects with students, and ensures timely messaging across the division.

The Specialist will develop marketing strategies, manage content across website and social channels, and mentor a student team in creating engaging media and data-driven insights.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area from an accredited institution.
• 3 years experience in marketing, communications, digital media, or related areas.
• Experience with Canva, Adobe Suite, CMS platforms, social media, and analytics.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and student-centered communication.
• Ability to work independently with accountability and strong written/oral communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, writing, and production of annual reports and divisional highlights.
• Collaborate with leadership to gather data, stories, and program outcomes.
• Manage photography, digital assets, and content libraries.
• Develop and implement marketing strategies for division-wide initiatives.
• Supervise a student employee and oversee social media content.
• Draft and distribute messages from leadership to the student body.
• Design and implement assessment tools to evaluate program effectiveness.
• Maintain and update the UC Merced Office of Student Involvement website.
• Create data visualizations and reports for stakeholders.

Skills

Marketing & Communications

Storytelling

Data analysis

Branding

Digital media

Content strategy

Project management

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Canva

Adobe Suite

CMS platforms

Social media platforms

Website editing

Analytics tools

Job description

Hiring Range

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The salary range the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $72,000 - $88,300.

Job Closing Date

Remote/Hybrid eligibility: This position is fully On-Site.

This position is represented by UAW-CM.

Initial applicant review will take place on or around October 15th, 2026. Posting may close any time after the review date.

CANRA (U13): Mandated Child Abuse Reporter

Clery Act (U15): Campus Security Authority

About UC Merced

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and one of the youngest universities to be designated an R1 research university. With approximately 9,100 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced is a smaller, more intimate campus compared to its sister campuses, while equipped and staffed as a cutting edge, 21st century research institution. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships and a growing community in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked in the top 30 among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and #1 for social mobility by the Wall Street Journal, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide world class educational opportunities to dynamic and enterprising students in the Valley and throughout the state. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced has launched a rigorous medical education program that will supply the Valley with culturally competent providers dedicated to improving local access to quality care. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and is accelerating the continued economic development of the region.

About The Job

The Division of Student Affairs & Engagement is seeking a creative, detail-oriented, and equity-minded Marketing & Communications Specialist to support division-wide storytelling and strategic communications. This part-time role plays a key part in elevating the visibility of Student Affairs initiatives, strengthening our connection with students, and ensuring clear, consistent, and timely messaging across the division. The Marketing & Communications Specialist, reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Life & Engagement, plays a vital role in enhancing the visibility and effectiveness of the Division of Student Affairs & Engagement at UC Merced. This position offers hands‑on experience in developing and implementing marketing strategies, conducting program assessments, managing website/social media content, and analyzing data to support student engagement initiatives at the University of California, Merced. The Specialist will also help manage projects and/or train a student team of creators, developers, photographers, videographers, and data managers.

The Specialist will be responsible for strategic storytelling, engagement, training/workshops, and programs as it relates to marketing, branding, divisional communications, and assessment. Using professional student services theories and concepts, the Marketing & Communications Specialist provides information and data to support campus and unit accreditation, fundraising efforts, to demonstrate divisional impact and to help identify student needs for programs and services.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, writing, and production of annual reports, impact summaries, and divisional highlights that showcase Student Affairs achievements.
• Partner with VCSAE leadership to gather data, student stories, and program outcomes aligned with our mission and values. Assist with presentation design, newsletters, and visual storytelling project to enhance division-wide communications. Collaborate with units across Student Affairs to elevate student engagement and awareness.
• Manage photography, digital assets, and content libraries to ensure consistent branding and accessibility.
• Develop and implement marketing strategies for division-wide initiatives, events and communications. Ensure consistency with UC Merced branding and Student Affairs voice.
• Supervise and mentor a student employee responsible for day-to-day social media content. Provide guidance on strategy, analytics, accessibility, and content planning. Approve posts, maintain editorial calendars, and support content creation.
• Draft, format, and distribute messages sent from the VCSAE or on Behalf of Student Affairs to the entire student body. Manage templates, lists, and distribution processes to ensure clarity, inclusivity, and timeliness. Support crisis or rapid-response communication as needed.
• In partnership with the Associate Director, assist in designing and implementing assessment tools to evaluate the effectiveness of student programs and services. Collect, analyze, and interpret data related to student engagement and program outcomes. Prepare comprehensive assessment reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders. Provide actionable recommendations for program improvements based on assessment finding.
• Website Management. Maintain and update the Office of Student Involvement website with current information, events, and resources. Ensure all website content is accurate, engaging, and accessible to all users. Collaborate with campus partners and team members to enhance website (including Connect App) functionality and overall user experience. Monitor website analytics and suggest improvements based on user data and trends.
• Collect and organize data from various sources to support office initiatives and projects. Conduct data analysis to identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement. Create visualizations and reports that effectively communicate data findings to stakeholders.

Qualifications

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in related area from an accredited institution.

AND

• 3 years experience with marketing, communications, digital media, or related areas.

Critical Knowledge And Skills

• Knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs and knowledge of University and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences.
• Skills in judgment and decision-making, problem solving, identifying measures of system performance and the actions to improve performance.
• Expertise in the field of marketing, communications, assessment, collaboration with others and innovation are core expectations for this position.
• Ability to work independently with little direction, yet maintaining accountability through regular reporting. (Preferred)
• Knowledge of student development theory and practice (i.e. Abes, Jones & McEwen, Torres, Jones, & Renn, Adams, Bell, Griffin, etc.) (Preferred)
• Ability to administer and manage multiple operations and related systems and procedures. (Preferred)
• Experience in full life cycle of campus programming (needs assessment, program design, and Evaluation. (Preferred)
• Demonstrated comfort working with a diverse set of colleagues, supervises, administrators, students, guests, faculty, staff, visitors and other parties in reviewing procedures, setting policy, resolving problems, and following through to implement change. (Preferred)
• Ability to make clear, informative and persuasive presentations to internal and external groups. (Preferred)
• Experience working with Canva, Adobe Suite, CMS platforms, social media platforms, website editing, and basic analytics.
• Basic video editing or motion graphics for social media content.
• Experience working with students or in a higher educations environment.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and student centered communication.
• Understanding of ADA compliance and accessibility standards for digital content.

Background Check

Background check required.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

Smoke And Tobacco Free Policy

The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify

All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/