Assistant Dean of Communications and Marketing - Information and Computer Sciences

Job Summary

The Assistant Dean of Communications & Marketing serves as the strategic leader for all communications and marketing initiatives within the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS). Reporting directly to the Dean, this role develops and executes a comprehensive college-wide communications strategy that elevates the college’s reputation and engages diverse audiences including students, faculty, alumni, and external stakeholders. This role ensures that college-level communications and marketing activities are aligned with university priorities in collaboration with University Relations.

Essential Functions

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy that supports CICS’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, coordinating with University Relations (UR) on media relations, social media and brand representation to ensure alignment with the university’s brand and communications priorities.

• Lead the creation of annual marketing plans in collaboration with UR MarCom and oversee budget allocation to maximize impact and Return On Investment (ROI) for all CICS marketing & communications across the college.

• Develop and lead executive communications for the Dean, including speeches, presentations, remarks, social media posts, and written correspondence, translating complex academic and research priorities into clear, compelling narratives for internal and external audiences.

• Build strong relationships with community partners, University Relations, and other university communications teams to amplify CICS's local, national, and global reputation. Promote open communication, encourage creative problem-solving, and maintain university 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 that advance the Dean’s fundraising priorities.

• Ensure high-quality, consistent presentation of the university brand in CICS materials. Key constituents and external audiences include prospective students, alumni, employers, corporate research partners, and peer institutions. Articulate and advance CICS’s distinct brand positioning, highlighting its strengths in research, teaching, and societal impact to differentiate CICS among peers and resonate with key audiences.

• Through strong partnerships with the university’s News Office, which oversees and manages all media relations for the university, position CICS as a thought leader in computer and information science education and research.

• Direct internal and external college communications, including newsletters, social media, and web content. Work with University Relations to understand social policies and best practices. Manage advertising campaigns in collaboration with UR MarCom, including promotional materials, and collateral, adhering to the university brand identity system to ensure consistency and quality.

• Lead the strategic communications and marketing for high-profile, Dean-level events in collaboration with UR’s Community Relations and University Events office and the college’s events team, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and a high-quality, cohesive experience.

• Drive growth and engagement across CICS digital platforms, including its website, social media, and email marketing. Ensure the website is SEO-aligned, user-centered, and engaging to all constituent groups, including peer institutions and corporate entities. Implement and manage social media campaigns and strategies that include research, campaign and content creation, execution, evaluation and reporting. 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, in consultation with UR MarCom, to inform CICS’s positioning and increase awareness of the College.

• Supervise and mentor a team of marketing and communications professionals, providing guidance and professional development opportunities. Develop, manage, and oversee the communications and marketing budget, ensuring strategic allocation of resources, fiscal responsibility, and alignment with college priorities to maximize impact and return on investment.

• Serve as the primary CICS 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.

Special Instructions for Applicants

Along with your application, please include a resume and 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.