About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world. 


About University Relations

University Relations tells the impressive story of UMass Amherst: their faculty and their global research, their students who are preparing to lead, the hundreds of thousands of alumni who make the world a better place every day. The broad portfolio of University Relations includes marketing and communications, media relations, government relations, community relations, event planning, economic development, and regional partnerships, and New England Public Media (NEPM)—the region’s premier public radio station. University Relations harnesses the resources and expertise of these distinct entities in a coordinated and strategic way to ensure that the powerful message of the University of Massachusetts Amherst reaches all its varied audiences, both internal and external.

Job Summary 

The Editorial Director leads the development and execution of compelling, high-quality content for distribution across all university-owned and managed platforms including recruitment materials, campaign messaging, publications, UMass magazine, and other strategic communications initiatives.  This role ensures alignment with the university’s mission, brand and marketing objectives.

Reporting to the Executive Creative Director (ECD), the Editorial Director leads a team of marketing professionals, and defines and enforces editorial standards, manages content assignments, schedules and workflows and related budgets while collaborating with MarCom colleagues to ensure alignment and cross-functional synergy.  All written materials are expected to reflect and advance the university’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Essential Functions

• Works closely with the ECD to develop and implement a comprehensive content strategy to support the university’s marketing, communications and institutional goals.
• Provides strategic vision for the brand direction, guiding the planning while also directing project execution to appropriate team members to ensure optimization of brand initiatives and campaigns which align with brand architecture.
• Stewards the university’s brand and messaging, ensuring adherence to voice, tone and brand guidelines across all content. Provide guidance on brand management, reinforcing the University’s message through all content initiatives.
• Leads and mentors a team of writers and editors, provides editorial oversight, storytelling guidance and strategic direction, fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration. Delegates and prioritizes assignments to ensure deadlines are met. Advises writers on stories and themes for various communications and reviews work for accuracy.
• Directs the editorial and operational aspects of content across all communications channels, including recruitment, retention, magazine, research and institutional materials. Ensures alignment with the university’s brand, mission, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
• Acts as managing editor of the UMass Magazine, overseeing editorial planning. Lead the development of ideas, writing and editing of stories, and photo sessions.  Assigns story writing and/or editing to staff as appropriate. Edits all articles at the developmental and final review stages.
• Manages story pool and internal pitching process for magazine content, coordinates client discovery meetings and visioning of content across university platforms.
• Develops and implements integrated content strategies across print, digital and web platforms. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive messaging and optimal audience engagement.
• Guides the creative process from concept to execution, mentoring the editorial team in developing innovative and impactful materials, including digital and print collateral, marketing and brand campaigns, the magazine and other high-level communications and initiatives. Assigns work to team members in support of upskilling, and as a means of developing growth opportunities for team members which will also build in redundancy to support times of high-volume workload.  
• Collaborates with the ECD and colleagues on editorial synergy and content to ensure consistency of content creation and distribution across all marketing and communications platforms.
• Works closely with colleagues to ensure all published content adheres to editorial standards and supports the university’s brand pillars.
• Partners with the ECD and colleagues to establish and refine content processes and review workflows and approval structures.
• Manages freelance writers, editors, and photographers as needed to support content initiatives.
• Works closely with the Executive Director of Strategic Operations to content related budgets, ensuring efficient use of resource allocation and optimizing workflow processes.
• Demonstrates awareness to and contributes to cultivating an inclusive university community.

Other Functions

Performs other duties as assigned.

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

• Bachelor's degree plus 8-10 (eight to ten) years of progressive experience in editorial leadership, content strategy, communications, marketing, or a related field.
• Proven success leading multi-platform content strategy and integrated editorial initiatives across print, digital, and web.
• Experience overseeing full publication cycles—including editorial planning, messaging frameworks, and team/vendor management.
• Magazine editorial management experience, with demonstrated excellence in storytelling, tone and editorial consistency.
• Strong understanding of brand strategy and the ability to translate institutional goals into compelling, audience-driven narratives.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to partner effectively across diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Advanced organizational and project management skills, including budgeting, workflow optimization, and use of project management tools.
• Strong leadership and editorial direction skills, with the ability to manage feedback loops, and guide creative outcomes.
• Demonstrated mentoring skills and experience leading/developing a marketing and communications team.

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

• Advanced degree in communications/journalism or a related field.
• Experience in higher education or mission-driven organizations with complex stakeholder environments.
• Knowledge of social media strategy and experience adapting editorial content for social platforms to boost reach and engagement.
• Familiarity with SEO and accessibility best practices for digital content.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

• Monday – Friday 8:30am-5pm. 
• 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

Level 30

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please include a cover letter, resume and portfolio including at least three writing samples with your application. Candidates advancing in the search process may be asked to complete a brief writing assessment. This will help us evaluate core writing competencies relevant to the role. 

References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.