Director of Advancement Communications

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. Click here 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 institutional messaging, brand standards, and the College's mission and values.

Editorial Leadership and Project Management

• Serve as Advancement's editor-at-large, providing strategic editorial leadership and ensuring the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of communications across the division.
• Shape and advance compelling narratives that connect alumni, donors, families, and friends to Amherst's mission, values, priorities, and impact.
• Provide editorial oversight for major Advancement communications, including fundraising campaigns, stewardship initiatives, alumni engagement programs, leadership communications, and special projects.
• Lead complex, cross-functional initiatives by aligning stakeholders, resources, timelines, and communications plans to ensure the successful execution of divisional priorities.
• Develop and implement project management practices that strengthen collaboration, accountability, transparency, and operational effectiveness across Advancement.
• Establish editorial standards, content strategies, and communications frameworks that support Advancement objectives and enhance constituent engagement.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, develop, and mentor a team of communications professionals, fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture focused on accountability, innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Establish clear priorities, goals, performance expectations, and professional development opportunities for team members.
• Promote effective collaboration within Advancement and across the College to support integrated communications and engagement efforts.
• Partner closely with the Office of Communications, the President's Office, and colleagues throughout Advancement to ensure coordinated, strategic, and effective messaging.
• Represent Advancement Communications in divisional planning, institutional initiatives, and key strategic discussions.
• Cultivate strong working relationships across departments and stakeholder groups to advance divisional and institutional objectives.

Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor's degree.
• Seven to ten years of progressively responsible experience in communications, marketing, engagement, or related fields, preferably within higher education or other mission-driven organizations.
• Equivalent work experience in lieu of minimum education and related experience.
• Demonstrated success developing and implementing integrated communications and engagement strategies that advance institutional priorities and effectively reach diverse audiences.
• Exceptional writing, editing, presentation, and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex ideas into clear, compelling, audience-centered communications.
• Strong understanding of communications best practices across print, digital, social, and emerging media, including the ability to assess effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Proven experience leading complex projects, managing multiple priorities, and collaborating effectively with diverse stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead communications teams, manage budgets and resources, and improve operational efficiency while maintaining high standards of quality and impact.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with the judgment, diplomacy, and relationship-building skills necessary to navigate complex organizational and communications challenges.
• Successful completion of required reference and background checks.
• An acceptable criminal offender records information (CORI) check.
• Valid driver’s license and successful completion of Five College Risk Management driver credentialing program. (See: https://www.fivecolleges.edu/riskmgmt/driver_credentialing)

Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Amherst_Jobs. Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Jobs Hub icon from their Workday home screen.) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Amherst College is committed to an inclusive hiring process and will provide reasonable accommodations for candidates throughout the application and interview process upon request.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.