Associate Director for External Relations

at  University of Massachusetts Amherst

Job no: 522910
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Dean - Isenberg School
Union: PSU
Categories: Public Relations, Marketing, Communications, Isenberg School of Management, PSU A

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship, the Associate Director for External Relations provides strategic and operational support for the center. Working collaboratively with University and School marketing and communications teams, constituent relations, and the UMass Amherst Foundation, this position develops and implements strategic internal and external communications while managing and developing the Center’s brand. Additionally, the position serves as the Executive Director’s primary liaison for external Center operations - providing leadership and supervision for sensitive projects managing a wide range of Center issues, and tracking and advancing the Center’s external priority projects.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSURE)

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Four (4) years’ experience in higher education or applicable field.
• Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully with a variety of stakeholders with multiple interests and varying levels of authority to achieve organizational goals.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills and administration aptitude with the ability to manage several projects simultaneously.
• Ability to utilize independent judgment and manage sensitive and/or confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to independently set priorities, develop and execute multiple concurrent projects and complex tasks, and drive a high volume of work to completion.
• Ability to work with office productivity software applications, mass marketing and event management software, graphic design programs, and social media platforms.
• Strong skills in writing, editing, and creation of collateral materials.
• Administration experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSURE)

• Managerial experience.

• Develop and implement an overall Center strategy for marketing, branding, publicity, and communications. Develop, produce, and disseminate marketing and promotional materials. Oversee the overall development and growth of the Center’s website and social media analytics and presence.
• Identity, develop, and execute external engagement plans, events, and development initiatives, ensuring that timely notifications of the events and visiting guests are sent to appropriate audiences. Responsible for the oversight of event logistics and execution.
• Engage alumni and constituents with the UMass Amherst Foundation for revenue-generating events and initiatives.
• Oversee the quality, on-time design, and production of all Center collateral materials and publications. Ensure projects provide consistent and positive images in compliance with University guidelines.
• Provide management of and day-to-day operational support of the externally focused operations of the Center. Work in close partnership with the Center staff to ensure follow-through on critical action items needed to achieve University and Center objectives.
• Initiate correspondence, including inquiries, tracking, and follow-through; strategically vetting and filtering requests.
• Contribute to the Executive Director’s briefing materials for key meetings and events, particularly those focused on external audiences and constituents.
• Maintain the Center’s contact list and database, updating as necessary and appropriate.
• Oversee and create the bi-annual UMass State of Entrepreneurship Report for the Board of Trustees, President, Chancellor, and various constituencies.
• Keep abreast of current trends and developments in the field through publications, seminars, and conferences.