Assistant Dean & Chief of Communications and Marketing Officer (CCMO)

Title: Assistant Dean & Chief of Communications and Marketing Officer (CCMO)

Executive Area: Academic Affairs

College/School/MBU: College of Natural Sciences

Department: Dean - Natural Sciences

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule: Full time

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Job Summary

The Assistant Dean and Chief of Communications and Marketing Officer (CCMO) serves as the strategic leader for all communications and marketing initiatives within the College of Natural Sciences (CNS). Reporting directly to the Dean, this role is responsible for shaping and executing a comprehensive communications strategy that elevates the college's reputation, strengthens its brand, and engages diverse audiences including students, faculty, alumni, and external stakeholders.

As a key member of the senior leadership team, the CCMO provides counsel on strategic messaging, oversees media relations and marketing, and ensures alignment of all marketing and communications efforts with the college's mission and goals. The position manages a budget and leads a team dedicated to delivering high-impact, innovative campaigns across digital, print, and experiential platforms.

Essential Functions

Strategic Planning & Leadership

Develop and implement a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy that supports CNS's academic and research priorities.

Serve as the primary advisor to the Dean and senior leadership on all matters related to branding, messaging, public relations, and conflict management.

Lead the creation of annual marketing plans and oversee budget allocation to maximize impact and Return On Investment (ROI).

Prepare talking points, speeches, presentations for the Dean.

Partner with HR to develop an employment engagement strategy.

External Relations & Partnerships

Build strong relationships with media, community partners, and university communications teams to amplify CNS's visibility across departments and other colleges.

Promote open communication, encourage creative problem-solving, and maintain brand consistency while embracing innovative approaches and addressing differences.

Collaborate with University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation to design targeted campaigns for alumni and donor engagement.

Brand Stewardship

Ensure high-quality, consistent presentation of the CNS brand to key constituents and external audiences, including but not limited to prospective students, alumni, and peer institutions for rankings such as U.S. News & World Report.

Position CNS as a thought leader in science education and research through strategic storytelling and media outreach.

Ensure adherence to university brand standards while advancing the unique identity of CNS.

Communications & Marketing Oversight

Direct all internal and external communications, including newsletters, press releases, social media, and web content.

Oversee advertising campaigns, promotional materials, and collateral to ensure consistency and quality.

Oversee media relations and act as the primary spokesperson when appropriate.

Digital Presence & Engagement

Drive growth and engagement across CNS's digital platforms, including website, social media, and email marketing.

Utilize Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and analytics tools to optimize campaigns and measure performance, including but not limited to data management, segmentation, automation, analytics, and integration of websites, social media, and other systems for a unified view.

Initiate and manage market research to inform positioning and increase awareness.

Drive digital engagement through web, social media, and email marketing, leveraging analytics for optimization.

Budget & Resource Management

Administer a communications and marketing budget, ensuring effective allocation of resources and ROI on campaigns.

Supervise and mentor a team of marketing and communications professionals, providing guidance and professional development opportunities.

Cross-Campus Collaboration

Serve as the primary contact for campus-wide communications strategies.

Collaborate with faculty and administrators in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment to deliver impactful communications that advance the college's reputation and goals.

Other Functions

Perform related duties as assigned or required to meet College or University goals and objectives.

Understand responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent both with law and with university policy.

Contribute toward creating a positive and respectful workplace defined by personal and professional competence, integrity, and collaboration.

Understand and contribute to implementation of departmental and institutional goals for achieving non-discrimination and creating a respectful, inclusive environment that is supportive of diversity.

Use access to sensitive and/or not yet public university related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required.

Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in communications and marketing, preferably in higher education or a complex organization.

Demonstrated success in developing and executing strategic communications plans.

Strong leadership skills with experience managing teams and budgets.

Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Proficiency in digital marketing, social media strategy, and analytics.

Strong strategic thinking, leadership and team development, relationship building, creativity and innovation.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree.

Experience working in an academic or research environment.

Familiarity with crisis communications and media relations.

Knowledge of emerging trends in digital engagement and content strategy.

Additional Details

At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. These values and goals are reflected in the College of Natural Sciences' Inclusive Excellence framework and in the UMass Amherst's For the Common Good: 2024-2034 Strategic Plan.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a standard office or indoor university environment and involves minimal physical exertion.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

Monday - Friday with occasional weekends.

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) Employee Personnel Policy.

Salary Information

UMass Amherst expects to pay within an approximate range between $92,357 - $138,592 for this position.

Special Instructions for Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.