Director of UMass Downtown

Job no: 525766
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Community Rel & Univ Events
Union: Non-Unit Exempt
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

UMass Downtown is a multi-purpose, multi-use location for campus-community engagement. The downtown center is a place to welcome prospective students and families, provide campus information to the community including residents, tourists and job seekers, and allow for easy ticket access for Fine Arts Center and Athletics events. It will also act as a boutique retail operation and a site for regular microevents, readings, and performances.

The Director of UMass Downtown will be a key member of the Community Relations team serving in a public role as part of a highly visible project to create greater engagement between students and the local community. The Director is responsible for the oversight and management of the newly established downtown Amherst storefront location as part of the institution’s community relations strategic initiatives.

This position will act as a community-facing liaison for the campus working collaboratively with the Executive Director of Community Strategic Initiatives, Associate Vice Chancellor of University Relations, and members of the Community Relations and University Events team to create and execute microevents on behalf of the campus at UMass Downtown.

The Director will work closely with Auxiliary Enterprises to curate a retail product mix which aligns with the academic calendar. The Director will also partner with Athletics, Student Affairs, Admissions, Fine Arts Center and other departments, as well as external partners, to advance institutional and Community Relations goals.

Essential Functions

• Provides oversight and direction for all UMass Downtown related matters. Manages and executes events and programs simultaneously, focusing on strategy, goals, timeline, impact, budget, engagement, and follow-up.
• Meets regularly with divisional leadership to strategize short and long-term goals and vision for UMass Downtown and its brand. Independently identifies, researches, and proposes areas for efficiency and strategic concepts that support divisional goals. Follows through on implementation of new objectives and reports to leadership on progress.
• Develops, arranges and carries out plans for events within stated timelines and budget constraints. Serves as an on-site production manager at events or activities. Ensures all events promote a positive image of the campus and reflect its brand, values, and culture.
• Provides high quality customer service in a retail setting, is knowledgeable about product line and can assist customers with purchases and inquiries. Addresses and resolves customer complaints or issues promptly and courteously.
• Works closely with Auxiliary Enterprises on the day-to-day retail functions, including providing them with inventory and sales data.
• Stays up to date with on-campus events and services as a means of ensuring that visitors receive accurate information. Keeps staff well-informed about campus activities.
• Manages day-to-day operations, technology, lighting, and updates content for the interactive digital wall displays.
• Creates and/or curates interesting and immersive brand experiences throughout the space.
• Effectively communicates, triages, and determines proper action. Rapidly exercises judgment and problem solving during challenging situations as needed including during protests, medical emergencies, security matters.
• Serves as a dedicated subject expert and resource, responds to questions and advises others (e.g., vice chancellors, deans, department heads, faculty and staff across all executive areas, members of the public) on proper execution and details of event planning to ensure adherence to established protocols and practices.
• Accountable for opening and closing procedures to safely secure the building to provide a safe environment for clients and guests.
• Advises and assists the Executive Director of Community + Strategic Initiatives and the Associate Vice Chancellor for University Relations with projects related to UMass Downtown and other community relations efforts.
• Collaborates with Auxiliary Enterprises, Athletics, Student Affairs, Admissions, the UMass Amherst Foundation and beyond to ensure that appropriate high-quality resources are secured in advance.
• Supervise the UMass Downtown staff. Hires, trains, and supervises students.
• Assists and supports the overall work of the CRUE office. Participates at campus events as needed. Advises department leadership on local issues, assists with creating marketing and communication materials, and acts as the primary local community-facing liaison for the campus.
• Ensures that the campus’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is represented in all university events.

Other Functions

Performs other duties as assigned.

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

• Bachelor's degree and seven years of related work experience -OR- Associates degree and nine years of related work experience.
• Experience with event planning, project or program coordination.
• Familiarity with the workings of municipal government.
• Proven ability to partner and collaborate effectively to achieve goals for a wide range of audiences.
• Ability to perform work in a fast paced, flexible, complex, and dynamic environment.
• Ability to work independently and meet priorities for multiple concurrent projects and a high volume of work.
• Ability to utilize independent judgment and manage sensitive and/or confidential information with discretion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills. Indirect or direct supervision experience.
• Ability to speak in public and with the media.
• Ability to work with diverse groups often in confrontational or sensitive settings.
• Ability to work nights and weekends as business needs dictate.

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

• Experience with government, public service, social sciences, business, or a related field.
• Experience working within a higher education or non-profit environment.
• Experience developing promotional or marketing materials for events.
• Experience in a retail setting.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Typical office environment activity. Some carrying, standing, bending, reaching, lifting may be required for inventory and event setup as business needs dictate.

Work Schedule

• UMass Downtown’s operating hours are 10am-6pm Tuesday – Sunday.
• Schedule will be based on a 40 hour/week with the expectation to work occasional nights and weekends as business needs dictate.

Salary Information

Level 29

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume, and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination 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 UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Nov 22 2024 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: Feb 28 2025 Eastern Standard Time