Digital Communications Specialist

Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial socio-economic and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty administration and staff.

Job Description:

Amherst College invites applications for the Digital Communications Specialist position. The Digital Communications Specialist is a full-time year-round position. The expected salary range for this job opportunity is: $.

The salary offered will vary based on a number of factors including but not limited to relevant education training and experience tenure status and other nondiscriminatory business considerations. Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Click here forBenefits Information.

The Digital Communications Specialist directly supports the Colleges digital communications efforts focusing on the appearance enhancement and maintenance of the Colleges digital presence. The Specialists primary responsibility is to the Colleges website managing content and creating and designing pages within a Content Management System (CMS) and supporting department website editors. This position requires creativity problem-solving skills attention to detail excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work independently under tight deadlines. The Specialist interacts with colleagues within Communications and across campus regarding content technical issues and general digital communications strategies for outreach to current students faculty and staff prospective students their families and the Amherst alumni community. The Specialist will also assist the Graphic Designer with a variety of design projects.

This position is eligible for a hybrid schedule (working some days per week on campus with the possibility of working some days per week remotely).

Summary of Responsibilities:

Web Content

• Create and update webpages within the CMS for departments programs initiatives events publications news stories and more

• Assist staff and faculty in managing department and other College websites serving as a liaison between the Colleges Communications team and individuals across campus

• Train campus web editors and create and maintain help guides

• Participate in improving and maintaining the quality of web content across

• Implement best practices for accessibility usability search engine optimization and information architecture

• Help manage the online campus map and virtual tour

• Manage complex projects and cultivate productive client relationships

Digital Communications

• Assist the graphic designer by designing posters graphics and other pieces in compliance with the Colleges visual identity

• Assist with the implementation of the Colleges Visual Identity system

• Gather and interpret web analytics

• Create and update templates in an email marketing platform

• Assist in the design and maintenance of the campus mobile app

• Provide Adobe Express support for departments

• Participate in departmental meetings and strategy discussions

• Ensure that documents and web content are ADA-accessible

Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree

• 3 to 5 years of related experience

• 5 years of digital communications experience in lieu of minimum education and related experience

• A minimum of two years of experience using a CMS to manage content in a complex multifaceted website

• Proven ability to organize complex information and apply design principles to make content easy to read and navigate

• Experience working on a digital/visual team and/or collaborating with designers photographers videographers and project managers

• Web content production skills with proficiency in HTML and familiarity with professional graphic software applications (Adobe Express Photoshop and other Adobe applications or equivalents) and an understanding of digital media capabilities and limitations (color space image resolutions and formats etc.)

• Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.

• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills using a variety of digital tools and techniques

• Strong attention to detail and demonstrated organizational time-management and multi-tasking skills with ability to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced deadline-oriented environment

• Occasional weekends and evenings

• Required reference and background checks including CORI check

Preferred

• Web and graphic design experience

• Proficiency in Asana or similar project management app

• Familiarity with Emma or similar email marketing platform

• Familiarity with Google Analytics

• Interest in one or more additional aspects of digital design such as photography accessibility or user experience

• Experience in a higher education or nonprofit communications environment

• Experience in user training and ability to explain digital communications concepts to a non-technical audience

Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Jobs Hub icon from their Workday home screen) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.