Title: Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications

Executive Area: Academic Affairs

College/School/MBU: Humanities & Fine Arts

Department: Dean - Humanities & Fine Arts

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule: Full Time

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications advances the visibility of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts (HFA) at UMass Amherst. Spanning a remarkable range of departments, institutes, and centers, HFA offers an exceptionally rich and varied storytelling landscape. Reporting to the Director of Marketing and Communications, this position is a key part of the College's communications efforts, creating and executing content across web, social media, print, photography, and video to enhance HFA’s visibility to both internal and external audiences and advance the strategic goals of the College and University.

Essential Functions

Writes copy for a range of communications purposes, including web pages, social media, newsletters, promotional materials, press releases, and marketing collateral, in alignment with HFA brand standards. Researches and interviews faculty, students, staff, and alumni to develop feature stories, profiles, and news items for the HFA website, and other communications channels.

Assists in the production and distribution of the College’s electronic newsletters and other recurring communications. Contributes writing, proofreading, editing, and design support to a variety of internal and external communications materials for accuracy, consistency, and alignment with College and University style standards.

Assists the Director in coordinating with campus partners, including University Marketing and Communications and the Office of News and Media Relations, to ensure alignment with institutional standards and messaging and to support the promotion of HFA stories.

Supports the day-to-day management of the College’s social media presence across platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Bluesky, while working within the content strategy established by the Director. Stays current with evolving social media platforms, trends, and best practices and provides relevant insights and recommendations to the Director.

Creates and maintains content calendars to maximize content across channels and audiences. Schedules and publishes content in a timely and consistent manner and maintains an organized digital archive of text, photo, and video assets.

Monitors communications metrics and continually improves content based on performance data. Generates periodic reports for review by the Director and College leadership.

Creates graphic design assets for digital and print use, including social media graphics, flyers, banners, postcards, presentations, and newsletters, in accordance with HFA and University branding standards. Assists the Director with photography and videography to support College communications initiatives.

Serves as a resource for communicators and staff across HFA by providing hands-on assistance with writing, design, web content, and social media in alignment with College and University brand standards. Contributes content, creative assets, and logistical support to college-level outreach and engagement initiatives.

Assists departments in executing communications projects consistently and in a manner that reflects the quality and standards established by the Director. Assists the communications team in training departmental staff on College and University communications tools, platforms, and brand guidelines.

Coordinates and manages content requests, including news, web, social media, events, and other communications needs using designated project management tools to establish timelines, milestones, and deliverables and ensure projects are completed accurately and on schedule.

Supervises communications student interns and student employees by assigning projects, providing day-to-day direction, monitoring progress, and supporting professional development.

Assists with College events by providing communications, photography, and related support as needed.

Other Functions

Performs related duties as assigned or required to meet College or University goals and objectives.

Understands responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent with both the law and University policy.

Contributes to creating a positive and respectful workplace defined by personal and professional competence, integrity, and collaboration.

Understands and contributes to the implementation of departmental and institutional goals for achieving non-discrimination and fostering a respectful, inclusive environment that supports diversity.

Uses access to sensitive and/or non-public University-related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of the position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience in communications, marketing, advertising, public relations, or a related field.

Excellent writing and editing skills with the ability to produce clear, compelling, and accurate content for a variety of audiences, channels, and formats.

Advanced knowledge of digital content creation and experience with current media technologies, including web, social media, and email marketing. Willingness to learn new technologies as they emerge.

Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively and develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with a diverse population of staff, faculty, students, and external constituents.

Excellent time management and organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail. Ability to manage multiple priorities, organize work effectively, and maintain high standards of accuracy and quality.

Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.

Expertise with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Canva, and Adobe Creative Suite.

Understanding of publishing and distribution platforms and channels, including email marketing, social media, video, and print.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working in higher education or a similarly complex, mission-driven organization.

Genuine interest in and enthusiasm for the humanities and fine arts.

Experience with Marketing Cloud or comparable email marketing platforms.

Experience with social media management tools, such as Hootsuite.

Experience with project management tools, such as Asana.

Experience managing editorial or content calendars across multiple channels.

Experience supervising student workers, interns, or entry-level staff.

Familiarity with analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Meta Insights, or Hootsuite Analytics) and the ability to present performance data clearly.

Interest in and experience engaging youth audiences across digital platforms.

Additional Details

Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required.

Occasional day or overnight travel may be required.

This position is subject to final budgetary and administrative approval.

Working Conditions

Work is primarily performed in an indoor university environment and involves lifting and transporting materials or equipment and general physical activity, including prolonged standing, walking, or assuming low postures.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM with occasional evening and weekend availability required for events and performances.

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 26

Click here to view the Professional Staff Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions for Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

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. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.