"Assistant Director, Communications & Marketing Content - Worcester State University"

General Statement of Duties

Worcester State University is seeking a creative and versatile writer and content strategist to lead the creation and management of content that builds brand awareness, fosters engagement, and compels action. With a clear understanding of the brand and best practices for content management, the Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing Content Strategy blends storytelling, brand awareness, and content execution to support enrollment, advancement, and institutional strategic goals.

The ideal candidate combines excellent written communication skills with the ability to optimize high-impact content across a variety of print and digital channels. Reporting to the Director of Communications and in collaboration with the Director of Marketing, the Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing Content Strategy is responsible for developing integrated communications and marketing content and ensuring messaging across all channels is cohesive, compelling, and aligned with the university's brand voice and mission.

Responsibilities

1. Serves as lead writer for university communications and marketing channels.
2. Lead the development and implementation of integrated content to support university goals for enrollment, retention, alumni engagement, fundraising, and brand awareness.
3. Conceptualize, plan, write, and edit high-quality, audience-focused content for print and digital channels, including the university website, admissions collateral, email communication plans, magazine and other university publications, news, and social media that align with strategic communications and marketing goals and adhere to the highest standards of excellence.
4. Conduct content audits and gap analyses to help identify new or optimized content opportunities.
5. Craft and curate compelling stories from students, faculty, alumni, donors, and staff that highlight the university's values, academic strengths, student life, alumni success, and community impact and support the university's mission and priorities.
6. Partner with teams across Admissions, Advancement, Academic Affairs, and Student Affairs to cultivate story ideas and then create and refine content that meets audience needs and supports strategic goals.
7. Work with key stakeholders inside and outside the university to ensure a unified brand voice to build trust and strengthen Worcester State's reputation across all platforms, and differentiate the university from its top competitors.
8. In collaboration with the Director of Communications and the Director of Marketing, develop and manage a content calendar and coordinate workflows to ensure the timely completion of projects to support key events and moments in the academic year.
9. Implement strategies to repurpose and optimize content across formats to boost efficiency and maximize ROI.
10. Work with the Associate Director of Marketing Web Strategy to optimize content for SEO, readability, and performance across web and digital platforms.
11. Support the AVP of Communications and Marketing and university leadership as needed, during crises or other emergencies.
12. Demonstrates civility and professional, customer-service oriented behavior, worthy of emulation by other staff and students.
13. Responsible for contributing to the WSU Strategic Plan.
14. Responsible for contributing to Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action objectives.
15. Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Communications or Marketing, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in marketing and communications with demonstrated experience in content creation and management.
• A portfolio of work or writing sample is strongly recommended.
• Familiarity with marketing automation tools, SEO best practices, and data analytics.
• Experience with social media.
• Experience with WordPress.
• Excellent written communication skills with the ability to write short and long-form content under pressure and on deadline.
• Excellent verbal communication skills with the ability to conduct interviews and build trust with a wide range of university stakeholders including students, faculty, alumni, donors and university partners.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple responsibilities.

Additional Information

This is a full-time, benefited, exempt, professional APA position. The firm annual salary range for this position is $60,000-$65,000, commensurate with relevant professional experience and education. Here at Worcester State University, it is strongly recommended that all employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 before they begin employment. Worcester State University offers a competitive benefits package that includes: a choice of 8 different pre-taxed, health insurance plan options; a choice of pension or 401(a), and supplemental plan retirement options; life insurance up to 8x the annual salary; long-term disability coverage; dental insurance; 20 vacation days accrued per year; 15 sick days accrued per year; 5 personal days per year; paid holidays; tuition remission for self, spouse, and dependent children; and more. We are an equal opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. M/F/D/V. Members of traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

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