Responsibilities

• The Assistant Dean of Communications creates, develops, and implements a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy for the University Libraries that supports its mission to advance research, teaching, and learning through accessible collections, innovative services, and collaborative scholarship.
• Serving as the chief communications strategist and advisor to the Dean and senior leadership, the Assistant Dean provides counsel on internal and external communications efforts.
• This role collaborates with University Relations on media relations, social media, brand alignment, issues management, events and integrated marketing to ensure all the University Libraries communications efforts are fully aligned with and support the university’s brand, mission and goals.
• The Assistant Dean develops and executes marketing strategies that increase the visibility of faculty, staff, student, and donor achievements related to scholarship, collections, programs, services, and institutional priorities and promotes these stories through print, digital, multimedia, social media, and emerging communication platforms.
• Develops and leads executive communications for the Dean, including speeches, presentations, remarks, correspondence, talking points, and strategic messaging that translate complex library, academic, and research priorities into compelling narratives for internal and external audiences.
• In coordination with University Relations and the UMass Amherst Foundation, The Assistant Dean promotes the Libraries' activities with constituents such as alumni, donors, foundations, prospective students, faculty, researchers, campus partners, and the general public.
• Develops, implements, and directs a comprehensive strategic communications and marketing plan supporting the University Libraries' mission, priorities, and long-term goals while simultaneously advancing the mission, values, and strategic objectives of UMass Amherst in full alignment with the university’s brand identity and strategic communications priorities as set by University Relations.
• Serves as a strategic advisor to the Dean and senior leadership team on all matters related to branding, messaging, public relations, and conflict management, coordinating with University Relations (UR) on media relations, social media, issues management, promotional efforts and reputational matters to ensure alignment with the university’s brand and communications priorities.
• Oversees the University Libraries communications unit and supervises unit staff.
• Develops annual communications and marketing plans and establishes performance metrics to maximize impact, audience engagement, and return on investment (ROI).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, English, Media Studies, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in communications, marketing, public relations, or a closely related field.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic communications or marketing plans for a complex organization.
• Supervisory experience, including managing staff, contractors, or creative teams.
• Experience creating print, web, multimedia, and social media content, including managing designers, photographers, or other creative professionals.
• Experience with digital marketing, analytics tools, and current web/social media technologies.
• Experience collaborating across departments or with external agencies, internal partners, and organizational leadership.
• Strong understanding of branding, messaging strategy, and audience engagement.
• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills across multiple formats.
• Ability to interpret analytics and use data to guide communications strategy.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in a related field
• Experience in higher education, academic libraries, or non profit environments
• Familiarity with development/advancement communications or working with donors and alumni
• Experience leading crisis communications
• Demonstrated ability to plan and execute events, campaigns, or large-scale communication initiatives.
• Skill in budget planning and resource management.
• Knowledge of web content management systems, digital accessibility standards, and social media management platforms.