Job Description:

Campus Title: Director of Advancement Communications and Publications
State Job Title: Director
Department: Institutional Advancement
Job Code: HA6000
FLSA Status: Exempt
Funding:
Bargaining Unit: APA
Job Type: Full-Time Permanent
Timeframe: 52 Weeks
Shift: Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm
Regular Days Off: Saturday and Sunday
Salary: $95,000-$100,000 Annually (salary commensurate with education and experience)

This is a fully in-person position at Westfield State University, with all duties performed on campus during the employee's regularly scheduled work hours to support direct engagement with students, colleagues, and the campus community, unless your position requires travel to perform said duties.

General Statement of Duties:

The Director is responsible for managing the day-to-day functions of Westfield State's growing communications program by planning, supporting, and executing communications to support the donor cultivation process for a comprehensive campaign and general Institutional Advancement friend and fundraising efforts. In addition, the position oversees the redevelopment of publications and print and digital communications in support of WSU, the WSU Foundation, Inc., and the WSU Alumni Association. With guidance from the Executive Director for the Campaign (EDC), the Director develops strategies and effectively manages a diverse set of volunteers, communications, and events to meet the Advancement Office's engagement goals involving alumni, parents, community members, volunteers, and donors.

With guidance from the Vice President of Institutional Advancement (VPIA), the Director collaborates with other divisions on campus on the development of college publications, including, but not limited to, the Alumni/University Magazine, University Impact Report, President's Annual Report, and a comprehensive divisional communications plan.

This position involves regular and extensive interaction with the President's Office, faculty and staff, donors and prospects, community leaders, high-level volunteers, and alumni.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Duties include but not limited to:
Essential:

• Works with the EDC and the VPIA to establish long-term goals and objectives for alumni and donor relations programs; recommends short- and long-range strategies to support WSU's mission and advancement goals.
• Develops, implements, and manages annual communication and constituent engagement plans aligned with the institutional Strategic Plan.
• Supports the implementation and appropriate use of WSU brand guidelines across the Office of Institutional Advancement.
• Ensures all communications produced by Institutional Advancement comply with University branding standards, editorial guidelines, and applicable digital accessibility requirements.
• In collaboration with the Director of Alumni Relations and with input from the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement (EDIA), plans and implements a robust annual alumni relations program marketing plan, including social events, talks, and volunteer opportunities that reflect WSU's distinct culture and engage alumni from all backgrounds and life stages.
• Develops and maintains a comprehensive annual editorial and communications calendar that aligns Institutional Advancement initiatives with the University's strategic priorities and fundraising objectives and oversees the design and distribution of print and digital marketing for Institutional Advancement programs and initiatives.
• Develops and evaluates communication metrics to measure engagement, audience reach, and the effectiveness of campaigns, publications, and constituent communications, using data to inform future communication strategies.
• Helps manage and advise on alumni and friends social media channels.
• Supports event staffing and logistics for Institutional Advancement programs and events as needed.
• Serves as the convener of a University Magazine working group to create and execute a plan for a new University Magazine. This group should include staff, faculty, students, alumni, and others.
• Serves as lead writer and content creator for major University publications and Advancement materials, including the President's Report and University Magazine.
• Writes and edits compelling journalistic stories highlighting benefactors, beneficiaries, donors, students, and alumni for use in publications, newsletters, press releases, correspondence, social media, and marketing to support the Campaign and other Institutional Advancement efforts.
• Compiles regular constituent correspondence and collaborates across departments to maintain consistent messaging in outreach materials.
• Collaborates with Donor Relations and Institutional Advancement staff to ensure timely delivery of annual impact reports to donors, serving as lead writer and designer for content and layout.
• Works with the EDC, EDIA, and Senior Annual Giving Officer to embed student-focused storytelling into donor stewardship through videos, handwritten notes, and personalized outreach.
• Supports the design and production of materials for the WSU Foundation and fundraising initiatives, including brochures, appeal letters, newsletters, and branded items.
• Collaborates with Institutional Advancement staff to create and manage digital outreach, advertising, and strategy for donor appeals and community events such as Giving Day and student-centered fundraising efforts.
• Manages complex communications and project workflows with minimal supervision, ensuring quality and timeliness.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Communications, English, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field.
• At least three to five years of professional experience creating and leading the execution of an external communications plan, preferably in a college or university setting.
• Experience managing publications from concept through production, including editorial planning, writing, editing, and publication management.
• Experience developing executive-level communications, speeches, annual reports, or leadership messaging.
• Experience leading complex communications or marketing projects involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Effectively manages multiple projects, balances priorities, and meets deadlines.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to identify story placement opportunities and think strategically about communications.
• Demonstrated interviewing skills for content development.
• Competency with digital communications and social media.

Additional Information:

Salary:

Salaries for current Westfield State University employees and individuals currently working for the state of Massachusetts must be calculated individually in accordance with collective bargaining agreements as well as state policies. State job specifications may be found on the Department of Higher Education's webpage.

Employee Benefits:

Benefits are an important component of an employee's total compensation package.

• Health Insurance: Westfield State offers a variety of HMO, POS, and PPO-type health insurance plans for eligible employees. Coverage is effective on the 1st of the month following the date of hire. Exceptions to employees hired on the 1st of the month, coverage is effective immediately.
• Retirement: the MA State Employee Retirement System provides eligible employees with a retirement pension following a 10-year vesting period. In lieu of the retirement pension, eligible employees may select the Optional Retirement Plan with a maximum 5% employer matching contribution.
• Tuition Waivers & Discounts: eligible employees, including spouses and dependent children, receive reduced tuition at MA state colleges, community colleges, and universities.
• Paid Time Off: employees receive 12 paid holidays and generous vacation, personal, and sick leave benefits.
• Additional information regarding employee benefits is available on the University's Benefits & Wellness webpage.

Application Instructions:

An on-line application is required. The successful candidate must submit an official transcript at the time of hire. Interested candidates should electronically attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Contact information for three references *
• Copy of unofficial transcript of highest degree

* Provide the contact information for reference providers in the reference section of the online application.

Deadline: The job posting will be open a minimum of ten days and, if needed, will remain open until finalists have been selected.

NOTE: If you need assistance completing your application please contact our online Help Desk. The link to the help desk can be found at the top of the page via Contact Us.