Assistant Dean of Communications

Title: Assistant Dean of Communications

Executive Area: Academic Affairs

College/School/MBU: Other Academic Units

Department: Data Digital Strategy & Comm

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule:Full Time

Work Arrangement:Onsite

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).

Creates and manages an annual budget to support communications and marketing strategies.

Creates marketing and communication materials for use in print, web, multimedia, and social media. Directs the work of designers, photographers, and other resources when necessary to create website, video, and social media content that is engaging, appealing and brand compliant.

Directs internal and external communications efforts, including newsletters, websites, publications, social media, email communications, and marketing campaigns. Coordinates with University Relations to ensure these communications fully align with university policies, brand standards, institutional priorities and best practices.

Collaborates with library staff to identify and promote success stories, activities, accomplishments, and awards. Generates ideas for communications that create interest in and effectively promote the University Libraries.

Leads strategic communications and marketing efforts for high-profile Dean's events and major library initiatives, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and a consistent, high-quality constituent experience.

Conceptualizes the annual University Libraries publication by identifying stories and news that will resonate with donors and alumni. Conducts interviews, writes stories, coordinates with editorial and photography freelance vendors, and communicates with design and print vendors (or staff) while managing the production timeline.

Manages advertising,…