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Communications & Events Manager

UMass Amherst
United States, Massachusetts, Amherst
October 16, 2023

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

Reporting to the Associate Provost for Equity and Inclusion (E&I), the Communications and Events Manager is responsible for coordinating all events and communications for the Associate Provost for Equity and Inclusion. Communications management will include designing, leading, and overseeing production of a wide range of multimedia communication materials, such as communication campaigns, event publicity, E&I websites, brochures and manuals related to programming, and writing and disseminating press releases. Events management will include logistical planning and implementing workshops and events, including developing and overseeing a communications plan for workshop/events marketing; tracking and maintaining a database of registrations and program evaluations; coordinating venue acquisition, setup, and catering; and working effectively with co-workers, cosponsoring offices, and vendors to ensure successful events.

Essential Functions

Communications Management



  • Communication Campaigns: oversee and ensure high quality mass communication campaigns to faculty, librarians, postdocs, and administrators for the Associate Provost for Equity and Inclusion.


    • Develop communications plan for advertising multiple workshops and events, including timelines and platforms for communications, target audiences, and monitor registrations.
    • Master the Emma email platform (or similar platform) for reaching campus audiences. Develop protocols for high quality and effective mass email communications.
    • Manage the E&I general office email and respond in a timely and effective way to requests.
    • Manage communications, including email correspondence, for the STRIDE faculty recruitment initiative


  • Websites: Design, develop new content, maintain, and update the E&I website.


    • Ensure that E&I's online presence is dynamic, engaging, and current. Create and post news items related to E&I programming. Maintain calendar of events and workshops, including submissions from other campus offices. Make available resources from workshops and reports authored by E&I.
    • Ensure functionality of web-based workshops/events registrations and maintain database of registrations.
    • Interface with University Relations, IT, the UMass News Office, and maintain knowledge of UMass communication and marketing policies, procedures, branding, and resources.
    • Maintain and extend online resources for the Associate Provost for Equity and Inclusion. This will include updating websites, events calendars, and developing new communications platforms as needed.


  • Publications: develop the E&I brand. Coordinate the design of high-quality and accessible print materials.


    • Produce high quality graphic publications including brochures, annual reports, workshop manuals, and other print materials.
    • Coordinate an integrated brand for E&I in all materials: letterhead, presentation formats, signage, email, etc.



Events Management



  • Plan and manage all logistical aspects of workshops and events.


    • Supervise student assistant and coordinate events coverage.
    • Secure venues. Ensure appropriate setup/breakdown, IT needs, and accessibility needs. Trouble shoot and resolve venue problems.
    • Manage contractors/vendors, including catering, furnishings, and venue access.
    • Provide workshop materials and workshop evaluations, both print and electronic.
    • Maintain database of venues, including size, cost, and contact persons.


  • Manage registration process and monitor registrant activity. Maintain registrant database.


    • Develop outreach plan to increase event attendance.
    • Generate summaries of participants for annual reports and periodic reports.


  • Administer and oversee workshop participant evaluations.


    • Maintain database of evaluation feedback.
    • Debrief with workshop leaders to improve subsequent events.


  • Provide summaries of participant evaluations to workshop leaders, the DFD, the Associate Provost for Equity and Inclusion, and the Vice Provost for Faculty Development.
  • Provide calendaring support for the Associate Provost for Equity and Inclusion.
  • Provide task and timeline scheduling support to Equity and Inclusion Initiatives



Other Functions



  • Performs related duties as assigned or required to meet Department, Executive Area/Division, and University goals and objectives.



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



  • Bachelor's degree in communications, media, journalism, marketing, public relations, business, events management, information technology, computer science, the liberal arts, or related field.
  • Three (3) years of professional work and administrative experience.
  • Experience in website content management software, preferably Drupal.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Ability to produce high quality graphics (Adobe Suite, Illustrator or InDesign).
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently to organize multiple tasks and set priorities for action, take initiative, be creative, and operate with self-direction in a fast-paced office environment.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively and work productively in establishing and maintaining professional and harmonious working relationships with diverse faculty and staff.



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



  • Experience supervising staff or students.



Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Typical office environment activity

Additional Details

This position directly reports to the Director of Faculty Development, and provides functional support to the Associate Provost for Equity and Inclusion.

Work Schedule

Monday-Friday, 8:30 am -5:00 pm. Occasional early morning or evening hours required for special events (e.g., STRIDE Worskhops, New Faculty Orientation).

Salary Information

Level 26

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with your application, please submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references.

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.

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