Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Communications
Union: PSU
Categories: Public Relations, Marketing, Communications
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
The Marketing & Communications (Marcom) group leads and coordinates strategic marketing efforts for the University of Massachusetts Amherst to raise the institution’s global visibility and reputation as one of the nation’s great public research universities. It tells the university’s stories across a wide array of platforms and builds strong relationships with important audiences through a variety of traditional and new marketing tactics. Additionally, the Marcom group provides leadership, consultation, partnership, and coordination for marketers and communicators across campus, collaborating with all colleges, schools, and units.
The Marcom Senior Writer will play a critical role in the Marketing and Communications team. This individual will create all forms of written content, including feature stories, campaign content, email communications, brochures, web content, and social posts, using skill to write content that achieves desired outcomes. UMass is a fast-paced environment that demands excellence and efficiency, while making room for autonomy, innovation, and creativity.
Essential Functions
- Oversees the operational and editorial direction of all forms of content ensuring the brand of the university is advanced through consistent messaging.
- Ensures that our storytelling is consistent across audience touch points, while nuanced to reach relevant audiences, identifying and developing appropriate multicultural and inclusive language, tone, voice, and message based on medium, target audience, and primary content subject.
- Develops missions, themes, and content for publications including multimedia and print.
- Operate as a brand and content expert, demonstrating ingenuity, creativity, leadership, and collaboration with multiple university stakeholders.
- Manages and maintains Editorial Style Guide.
- Receives, solicits, and evaluates ideas from campus colleagues.
- Provides creative and strategic direction to multimedia designers on the content layout and editorial process, ensuring overall consistency of voice.
- Identifies and prioritize assignments to ensure deadlines are met; reviews work for accuracy; determines staffing and consulting needs.
- Collaborates with campus partners, including Admissions, Advancement, and communicators in the schools and colleges, to identify interesting stories that fully reflect the UMass experience.
- Manages and mentors in-house copywriter and freelance writers/editors.
Other Functions
- Stays up to date on industry trends.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Bachelor’s degree.
- 5-7 years of experience writing in environments that require versatility, speed, high quality standards, and careful attention to detail.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
- Must be able to communicate in the English language, writing with excellent storytelling capabilities and a demonstrated ability to achieve desired outcomes through content creation.
- Detail and deadline oriented, accurate and efficient, and must be able to manage multiple content responsibilities at once.
- Excellent editor and proofreader.
- Fluent in the Chicago Manual of Style.
- Must partner and collaborate well with various stakeholder groups and understand how to map content creation with the nuances of varied and unique audiences.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in higher education.
- Experience managing staff.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
Typical office environment.
Work Schedule
- 37.5 hours/ week.
- 8:30AM-5:00PM, Monday-Friday.
- 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 falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.
Salary Information
PSU Level 28
PSU Salary Ranges
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with application, please submit a resume, cover letter and contact information for three (3) professional references. The search will remain open until filled.
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.
Advertised: Sep 9 2022 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Related jobs:
Background Extras Needed for P-Valley Season 3 (Atlanta, GA)
Job Description:
Hylton Casting is seeking background actors for various roles in strip club scenes for the hit TV series P-Valley Season 3. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a critically acclaimed show and work in a dynamic, high-energy setting. We’re looking for men who can bring authenticity and personality to their roles.
Available Roles:
- Business Men
- Strip Club Customers
- Music Artists
- Gang Members
- Partygoers
Job Responsibilities:
- Portray one of the listed roles in a strip club scene, contributing to the lively and immersive atmosphere.
- Follow direction from the production team to ensure a seamless and professional shoot.
- Maintain a professional attitude and be punctual.
Requirements:
- Male talent, aged 18-50.
- Open to all ethnicities.
- Must be local to Atlanta, GA, or able to work as a local hire.
Compensation:
- Payment details will be provided upon selection.
Casting African American Male Extras for Commercial Shoot (Austin, TX)
Job Description:
We are seeking African American male extras for an upcoming commercial shoot in Austin, TX. This role is perfect for individuals who are confident, professional, and eager to contribute to a dynamic and high-energy production.
Job Responsibilities:
- Portray a background character in a commercial setting.
- Follow on-set instructions to ensure seamless scene execution.
- Maintain a professional attitude and punctuality throughout the shoot.
Requirements:
- Male, African American, aged 20s-40s.
- Must be 6’0″ or taller.
- Must be local to Austin, TX, or able to work as a local hire.
Compensation:
- Rate: $300 for 12 hours of work.
Casting 20 Women for Music Video Shoot in Atlanta
Job Description:
We are looking for 20 vibrant and energetic women to feature in an exciting music video for artist Young Harry. This video shoot will capture dynamic, fun, and confident interactions, bringing the artist’s vision to life.
Job Responsibilities:
- Appear as featured talent in the music video.
- Bring energy and enthusiasm to the shoot, contributing to a lively atmosphere.
- Follow the direction of the creative team to deliver visually compelling performances.
Requirements:
- Female talent, aged 18+.
- Open to all ethnicities and body types.
- Comfortable in front of the camera and able to bring energy to the performance.
- Must be local to Atlanta or able to work as a local hire.
Compensation:
- Compensation details will be discussed upon application.
Casting Waiter for Streaming Platform Project (Atlanta Area)
Job Description:
Set Life Casting Atlanta is seeking a background extra to portray a waiter for an upcoming streaming platform project. This two-day booking offers an exciting opportunity to showcase your professionalism and add authenticity to a high-profile production.
Job Responsibilities:
- Portray a waiter serving guests in various scenes.
- Follow on-set directions to ensure smooth and realistic interactions.
- Maintain a professional attitude and punctuality throughout both shoot days.
Requirements:
- Male or female talent, aged 18+.
- Must be local to the Atlanta area or willing to work as a local hire.
- Comfortable with payment via direct deposit.
Compensation:
- Rate: $100 per day for 10 hours of work.
Casting Wealthy Guests for Streaming Platform Project (Atlanta Area)
Job Description:
Set Life Casting Atlanta is seeking background extras to portray wealthy guests for an exciting streaming platform project. This two-day booking is a great opportunity to bring elegance and sophistication to a professional production.
Job Responsibilities:
- Appear as a wealthy guest in various scenes, portraying sophistication and high-class demeanor.
- Follow on-set direction to enhance the atmosphere and authenticity of the setting.
- Maintain professionalism and punctuality throughout both shoot days.
Requirements:
- Male and female talent, aged 18+.
- Must be local to the Atlanta area or willing to work as a local hire.
- Comfortable with payment via direct deposit.
Compensation:
- Rate: $100 per day for 10 hours of work.
Casting Security Personnel for Streaming Platform Project (Atlanta Area)
Job Description:
Set Life Casting Atlanta is seeking background extras to portray security personnel for an exciting streaming platform project. This two-day booking offers a great opportunity to showcase your commanding presence in a professional production.
Job Responsibilities:
- Portray security personnel in various scenes, maintaining a professional and authoritative demeanor.
- Follow on-set directions to contribute to the authenticity of the setting.
- Maintain punctuality and professionalism throughout both shoot days.
Requirements:
- Male talent, aged 18+.
- Must be local to the Atlanta area or willing to work as a local hire.
- Comfortable with payment via direct deposit.
Compensation:
- Rate: $100 per day for 10 hours of work.
Casting Military Soldiers for Streaming Platform Project (Atlanta Area)
Job Description:
Set Life Casting Atlanta is seeking background extras to portray military soldiers for an exciting new streaming platform project. This is a unique opportunity to showcase your discipline and composure in a professional production setting.
Job Responsibilities:
- Appear as a military soldier in various scenes, contributing to an authentic and powerful atmosphere.
- Follow on-set direction to ensure realistic and cohesive performances.
- Maintain professionalism and punctuality throughout the shoot.
Requirements:
- Male and female talent, aged 18+.
- Must be local to the Atlanta area or willing to work as a local hire.
- Comfortable with payment via direct deposit.
Compensation:
- Rate: $100 for 10 hours of work.
Casting Restaurant Patrons for Streaming Platform Project (Atlanta Area)
Job Description:
Set Life Casting Atlanta is seeking background extras to portray restaurant patrons for an upcoming streaming platform project. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a professional production with small, focused shoot days in a dynamic environment.
Job Responsibilities:
- Appear as a restaurant patron in various scenes, helping to create a lively and realistic dining atmosphere.
- Follow the direction of the production team to ensure seamless and authentic performances.
- Maintain professionalism and punctuality on set.
Requirements:
- Male and female talent, aged 18+.
- Must be local to the Atlanta area or willing to work as a local hire.
- Comfortable with payment via direct deposit.
Compensation:
- Rate: $100 for 10 hours of work.
Casting Bank Patrons for Streaming Platform Project (Atlanta Area)
Job Description:
Set Life Casting Atlanta is seeking background extras to portray bank patrons for an exciting new streaming platform project. This is a great opportunity to work on a professional production in a low-pressure environment with small, intimate shoot days.
Job Responsibilities:
- Appear as a bank patron in various scenes, contributing to a realistic setting.
- Follow the direction of the production team to ensure smooth and authentic performances.
- Maintain professionalism and punctuality on set.
Requirements:
- Male and female talent, aged 18+.
- Must be local to the Atlanta area or willing to work as a local hire.
- Comfortable with payment via direct deposit.
Compensation:
- Rate: $100 for 10 hours of work.
Casting People with Disabilities for Atlanta Tourism Shoot
Job Description:
We are seeking individuals with disabilities for a tourism shoot in Atlanta. This project aims to showcase diverse talents, including wheelchair users, while celebrating inclusivity and accessibility in the city. If you’re comfortable on camera and have a story to share, we’d love for you to be part of this meaningful campaign.
Job Responsibilities:
- Participate in a photoshoot or video shoot that highlights accessible tourism experiences in Atlanta.
- Follow direction from the production team to capture authentic, engaging visuals.
- Represent the campaign’s focus on inclusivity and diversity.
Requirements:
- People of any gender, aged 40-70, from any ethnic background.
- Open to all kinds of talent with disabilities, including wheelchair users.
- Must be local to Atlanta (no travel expenses will be covered).
Compensation:
- Rate: $500 for the shoot.
Casting Dedicated Runner for Fitness Brand Campaign
Job Description:
We are seeking a dedicated runner to feature in a fitness brand campaign. This role is perfect for a frequent runner with excellent form and great physical shape. Whether you’re an avid recreational runner or someone who could be considered elite, we want to see your passion for running on camera.
Job Responsibilities:
- Perform running drills and showcase endurance and athleticism during the shoot.
- Follow the creative team’s direction to deliver dynamic and inspiring visuals.
- Maintain a professional and energetic attitude throughout the production.
Requirements:
- Male or Female runner, aged 25-35.
- Must have strong running skills and a fit physique.
- Open to all ethnicities.
- Must be local to Atlanta or live within 3 hours driving distance (no travel reimbursement).
Compensation:
- Half Day (6 hours): $900
- Full Day (10 hours): $1,200
- 20% agency fee applies.
- Usage: Non-union, unlimited worldwide use across all channels.
Casting Elite Runner for Fitness Brand Campaign
Job Description:
We are seeking an elite runner to feature in a fitness brand campaign. This role is ideal for a highly skilled, fit individual with excellent running form. Whether you’re a professional marathoner or an experienced running athlete, this is a great opportunity to showcase your endurance and athleticism on camera.
Job Responsibilities:
- Perform running drills and showcase athletic endurance for a fitness brand photoshoot or video.
- Follow the creative team’s direction to capture dynamic and inspiring visuals.
- Maintain professionalism and energy throughout the shoot.
Requirements:
- Male or Female runner, aged 25-35.
- Must have elite running skills with great form and a fit physique.
- Open to all ethnicities.
- Must be local to Atlanta or live within 3 hours driving distance (no travel reimbursement).
Compensation:
- Half Day (6 hours): $900
- Full Day (10 hours): $1,200
- 20% agency fee applies.
- Usage: Non-union, unlimited worldwide use across all channels.