Director of Communications, Admission and Financial Aid

Amherst•Amherst, MA

8d•$120,000 - $140,000•Onsite

About The Position

Amherst College invites applications for the Director of Communications, Admission & Financial Aid position. This is a full-time, year-round position. The Director is the division’s subject matter expert and senior leader responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating enrollment communications and marketing initiatives that advance Amherst College’s mission and goals. Reporting directly to the Dean of Admission & Financial Aid, the Director creates compelling, data-informed strategies and messaging that communicate Amherst’s distinctive value and commitment to access and affordability to prospective students, families, counselors, and broader audiences. As the division’s communications lead, the Director manages projects that shape how Amherst is understood by prospective students and families. This includes producing and coordinating enrollment communications across print, digital, web, and social media, and ensuring that information about admission and financial aid policies is clear, accurate, and accessible. The Director also manages the division’s marketing budget, supervises staff and vendors, and ensures consistent, creative, and effective messaging across all platforms. Amherst is particularly proud of its success in recruiting, admitting, and enrolling a diverse student body. The Director will demonstrate a sustained commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by ensuring that communication strategies and content reflect diverse perspectives and resonate with students and families from a wide range of backgrounds.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree
Seven to ten years of progressively responsible experience in communications, marketing, or related fields, with success in enrollment, higher education, or mission-driven organizations.
Equivalent combination of education/experience in lieu of minimum education and related experience.
Exceptional writing, editing, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to craft messages that resonate with varied audiences, including young people and families from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Experience managing complex projects and budgets, including collaboration with external vendors and partners.
Supervisory experience with a track record of mentoring staff and fostering inclusive, collaborative teams.
Proficiency with traditional and digital media, including web content management systems, CRM-driven communications platforms (such as Slate), social media, and analytics tools.
Ability to use data and market research to inform strategy, evaluate outcomes, and make evidence-based decisions.
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.
Demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in communications content, practices, and workplace culture.
Successful completion of required background and reference checks.

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree in communications, marketing, higher education, or related field.
Experience with web content management systems (CMS), such as Drupal.
Experience with customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, such as Slate.
Experience with design and creative tools, such as Adobe InDesign and Photoshop.
Experience with project management tools, such as Asana.
Fluency in a language in addition to English.

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and continually refine the communications and marketing strategy for the Admission & Financial Aid division, ensuring Amherst’s message of academic excellence, access, and affordability reaches diverse audiences.
Design integrated campaigns across print, web, social, and digital platforms to engage prospective students, families, and counselors, using research, data, and analytics to measure and improve effectiveness.
Ensure messaging aligns with College-wide brand standards and reflects Amherst’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Manage significant communications and marketing budgets, including contracts with external vendors and service providers, ensuring resources are used efficiently and strategically.
Supervise an Assistant Director of Communications, providing mentorship and fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.
Oversee the admission and financial aid websites, enrollment marketing platforms, and other communications infrastructure.
Partner with the Assistant Director of Communications to produce and edit print, digital, web, social media, video, and presentation content that is accurate, creative, and effective.
Draft and deliver clear, timely messaging for sensitive or high-profile topics, including financial aid policies, admission updates, and access and affordability initiatives.
Lead projects from concept through delivery, balancing strategic oversight with hands-on execution.
Ensure communications reflect diverse perspectives and resonate with students and families across a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
Work closely with the Dean of Admission & Financial Aid, senior divisional leaders, and colleagues across the College, including the Office of Communications, IT, Advancement, and Student Affairs, to align enrollment communications with broader institutional initiatives.
Build and maintain relationships with outside agencies and partners to bring innovative, mission-driven communications projects to fruition.