Job no: 518411
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: MarCom
Union: Non-Unit Exempt
Categories: Public Relations, Marketing, Communications

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

In close collaboration and with direction from the Office of Human Resources (OHR), the Director of HR Marketing and Communications creates, executes, and champions employee/candidate centered marketing efforts for UMass Amherst. This position assists in the development and definition of the UMass Amherst employer brand and value proposition, manages campaign marketing efforts for attracting new talent, and supports talent retention ensuring execution at the highest level. This position also drives proactive internal UMass HR communications to enhance campus understanding of, appreciation for, and collaboration with HR to attract and retain top talent across the University.

In concert with OHR and under guidance of the Executive Director of Marketing Strategy in University Relations, this position plans, produces, measures, and refines a strategic marketing plan that is designed to meet the goals and objectives for attracting top talent and to position UMass Amherst as a “best place to work” locally and nationally.

Essential Functions

• Builds and executes a marketing and brand strategy for UMass Amherst as an employer of choice.
  • Responsible for the management, planning, tracking, and execution of marketing communication strategies to achieve HR departmental and broader university-wide goals.
  • Manages the creation and execution of a strategic plan for the UMass Amherst employer brand.
  • Serves as project manager, working with various creative and design teams to lead requests for internal projects to increase awareness of the UMass Amherst employer brand.
  • Manages the external positioning of UMass Amherst as the career destination of choice for talent locally and nationally.
  • In consultation with the Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer, manages third party partners; driving media performance and results as well as managing execution of recruitment marketing plan.
  • Collaborates with the Office of Equity and Inclusion, internal networks, and Employee Resource groups on strategies to attract diverse talent.
  • Manages marketing and informational content on the UMass Amherst careers website, including front end content updates to ensure accuracy of information and effective messaging.
  • Supports infrastructure and analytics to understand sources of careers web traffic and lead generation.
  • Recommends how to improve candidate experience from awareness to application to offer acceptance and onboarding.
• Enhances UMass Amherst Office of Human Resources’ communication strategy to effectively engage faculty and staff.
  • Under the direction of the HR leadership team, manages HR communications to the UMass Amherst campus. Creates strategy for best-in-class tactics. Creates content, measures results, and uses data to improve plans.
  • Supports HR initiatives, strategic planning, and collective bargaining to formulate and execute communication strategies.
  • Reviews HR communications for consistency, voice, and clarity of thought.
  • Partners with HR to represent UMass Amherst at events, as needed.
  • Serves as an advisor to the Vice Chancellor and Chief Human Resources Officer on matters of communication strategy and creation.

Other Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• More than five (5) years of relevant experience in marketing communications, content creation, and executing strategic campaigns.
• Development and execution of Recruitment Marketing and/or Branding and Advertising campaigns attracting specific target audiences.
• An ability to cultivate relationships and collaborate with other departments and communicators.
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to work with partners to optimize marketing investments.
• Experience with digital marketing, social media content creation (specifically LinkedIn), and management of websites.
• Ability to exercise the highest levels of professionalism, discretion, and tact while working in a confidential environment.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, communications, or related field.
• Familiarity with emerging digital platforms and best practices for digital communications.
• Experience with CRM or email marketing platforms. Salesforce or Marketing Cloud experience is preferred.
• Familiarity with human resources, including talent acquisition, labor relations, and employee engagement.
• Experience working in higher education.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical office environment activity.

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM.
• 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 is non-unit, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees Non-Unit (Professional/or Classified) Employee Personnel Policy.

Salary Information

Level 29

Exempt Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume, cover letter and contact information for three (3) professional references. The search will remain open until filled.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Apr 4 2023 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: