Director of Advancement Communications

Director of Advancement Communications

Amherst Campus
Full Time
JR7046

Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial, socio-economic, and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration and staff.

Job Description:

Amherst College invites applications for the Director of Advancement Communications position. The Director of Advancement Communications is a full-time, year-round position. The expected salary range for this job opportunity is: $120,000 to $130,000 per year.

The salary offered will vary based on a number of factors, including but not limited to relevant education, training, and experience, tenure status, and other nondiscriminatory business considerations. Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families.  for Benefits Information .

The Director of Advancement Communications is a strategic leader within the Advancement Division, responsible for advancing institutional priorities through constituent engagement, communications strategy, editorial leadership, and project management.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Strategic Engagement and Alumni Relations, the Director of Advancement Communications leads a team of communications professionals and provides strategic leadership for Advancement's communications, engagement, editorial, and project management efforts. Working closely with Advancement leadership, the Office of Communications, the President's Office, and colleagues across the College, the Director develops and executes integrated communications and engagement strategies that strengthen relationships with alumni, donors, families, and friends;

deepen constituent engagement; and support philanthropic investment. Serving as Advancement's editor-at-large, the Director ensures the quality, consistency, and strategic alignment of communications across all channels, advances compelling storytelling that connects constituents to Amherst's mission and impact, and leads complex, cross-functional initiatives that advance divisional priorities and achieve measurable outcomes.

The Director is a strategic and collaborative leader with exceptional communication, editorial, project management, team building and relationship-building skills. They excel at translating institutional priorities into compelling communications and engagement strategies, fostering collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups, and leading complex initiatives with creativity, sound judgment, and attention to detail. An accomplished writer, editor, and manager, the Director leads and manages and develops a high-performing team, builds consensus among stakeholders, and fosters a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and excellence in support of Amherst College's mission and advancement goals.

Advancement staff are expected to promote a positive, solutions-focused workplace culture through professional and constructive engagement in meetings, collaborations, and daily interactions. Advancement work also includes several "all-hands-on-deck" events that require occasional evening and weekend participation to support key College events, including-but not limited to-Reunion and Homecoming.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement; however, regular on-campus presence is expected to support leadership responsibilities, relationship building, and institutional priorities.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Strategic Engagement and Communications

Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive Advancement communications and engagement strategy aligned with the College's strategic priorities, fundraising objectives, and constituent engagement goals.
Partner across the College to strengthen relationships with alumni, donors, families, and friends through integrated, data-informed communications that advance institutional priorities.
Lead integrated communications efforts across print, digital, social, video, and event-based platforms to strengthen alumni engagement, philanthropic support, and participation.
Serve as a strategic advisor to Advancement leadership on communications, engagement opportunities, constituent sentiment, and messaging strategy.
lead integrated communications efforts across print, digital, social, video, and event-based platforms to strengthen alumni engagement, philanthropic support, and participation.
Identify opportunities to deepen constituent engagement through audience segmentation, targeted messaging, storytelling, and the effective use of data and analytics.
Assess communications and engagement performance, monitor emerging trends, and adjust strategies to enhance effectiveness and achieve measurable outcomes.
Ensure Advancement communications align with…