Career Center

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

The UW Graduate School has an outstanding opportunity for a full-time Director of Marketing and Communication.

Position Purpose
Reporting to the dean of the Graduate School, the director of marketing and communication develops strategies, messaging, plans and content that build brand awareness, generate support and raise the profile of the Graduate School throughout the University, and in the community and nationally. The director provides strategic direction for integrated communications that encompasses executive engagement, internal Graduate School initiatives, fundraising and marketing and communication team management.

About the Graduate School
At the University of Washington Graduate School, we work to support the production of knowledge and innovation, to develop the next generation of researchers and leaders, and to advance the public good. We believe in the power of graduate education to address today’s pressing challenges and to foster a more prosperous, informed, and equity-minded future.
In partnership with faculty, staff and other advocates throughout the University, the Graduate School champions innovation and excellence in graduate education. Graduate students strengthen the UW’s state and global reputation and impact, and the Graduate School promotes the academic, research, teaching and professional success of every one of them.

The Graduate School leads the University’s efforts to recruit and retain the most promising graduate students of diverse backgrounds and cultures, and we collaborate with partners on all three campuses to provide our graduate students with professional development opportunities and the services to manage their academic progress from application through commencement and beyond into a vibrant alumni community.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategy and engagement - 20%
Develops and carries out a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy for enhancing the reputation and efficacy of Graduate School services and programming, as well as graduate education and graduate students in general. Establishes benchmarks, goals, and performance metrics. Assesses all potential projects against strategic priorities.
Develops an engagement plan for the dean that spreads the message about the value and impact of graduate education to increase awareness, secure resources for graduate students and programs and bolster support.
Works with Academic & Student Affairs partners to promote the graduate student experience.
Raises the profile of the Graduate School throughout the University by
•networking and partnering with communications directors in Academic & Student Affairs (composed of the Graduate School, Undergraduate Academic Affairs, Student Life, and the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity), schools, colleges and University Marketing and Communications to promote the graduate student experience
•attending central Advancement meetings such as Marketing Executive Council, Marketing Roundtable and ShopTalk
•developing presentations and communications to UW leadership
Raises the profile of the Graduate School externally by
•partnering with fundraising team members to secure resources for graduate students
•supporting the Graduate School’s Public Lectures series through the development of digital and print materials and messages
Raises the national profile of the Graduate School through
•pitching stories to national media, including higher education-focused platforms
•advising the dean on regular communications with leadership at peer institutions and presentations at national conferences
•preparing the dean for media interviews and conferences

Communications - 25%
Directs and manages internal communications throughout Graduate School. Ensures that key messages are highlighted in all communications. Oversees strategic communications from the dean, including correspondence, messages, talking points etc.
Collaborates with other Graduate School directors and associate deans to advance the priorities and initiatives of individual units within and beyond the Graduate School by
•developing and supporting communication strategies for unit messaging
•preparing materials for data visualization, presentation and written collateral
•identifying target audiences and managing email and contact lists
•Assisting dean and staff with presentations, e.g. to the Board of Regents, Board of Deans and Chancellors, Foundation Board and other high level groups
•developing and promoting best practices and standards for inclusive communications across the Graduate School

Fundraising to secure resources for graduate students and programming – 30%
•Partners with UW Advancement on fundraising efforts to highlight value of graduate education support and secure resources for graduate students and programming.

Team management and operations – 25%
Directs and oversees the work of a small team responsible for the writing, design, and production of digital and visual communications, web strategy and content creation, social media and digital marketing.
Manages marketing and communications budget and workflow, and tracks projects.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
•Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, journalism, marketing or related field
•Five years of progressively responsible experience in non-profit or higher education communications
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
•Experience developing and executing strategic communications plans
•Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including demonstrated ability to write for different mediums and different audiences, especially in the area of executive communications
•Demonstrated creativity and strong attention to detail
•Strong time management skills and proven ability to manage projects and team members
•Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and adhere to specific deadlines and goals
•Commitment to diversity and inclusion

DESIRED:
•Master’s degree in communication, English or related field
•Experience working in higher education
•Extensive knowledge of, and experience in, communicating the value and impact of graduate education and the undergraduate and graduate student experience at a research one university

Conditions of Employment
•Ability to work evening and weekend hours, as necessary, on short or limited notice
•Hybrid work schedule available

Application Process:

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.