Office of the Provost, Division of Academic Affairs

Consistent with the University’s mission and working collaboratively with the deans and vice presidents, the Office of the Provost advances the intellectual life of our scholarly community by supporting and advancing our academic programs and the scholarship of our faculty and students.

https://provost.umbc.edu/

The University of Maryland, Baltimore County, seeks a Director of Provost Communications to manage strategic communications for the Division of Academic Affairs and manage executive communications for the Provost of UMBC, writing compelling and impactful remarks, speeches, and general communications. This position will collaborate closely with the Provost and key university stakeholders to ensure that all communications consistently reflect the Provost's voice and vision and promote the strategic priorities of UMBC. 

This position reports to the Provost and Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs of UMBC.

UMBC offers competitive compensation.  This role starts at $99,000 and has over 4 weeks of vacation for regular full time roles. Tuition remission is also available.

What is it like to work at UMBC?  Check out Glassdoor or Indeed. And read about our recent award, UMBC is a 2023 Great College to Work for…. In every category.

A hybrid telework schedule may be available. 

• Executive Communications
  • Draft and edit written materials for the Provost, including emails, remarks, speeches, quotes, video scripts, and talking points for various institutional events, including convocation and commencement.
  • Manage multiple writing projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality content.
  • Collaborate with the Provost to develop a cohesive strategy for executive communications that both increases divisional engagement and elevates the work of Academic Affairs internally and externally.
• Divisional Strategic Communications
  • Work closely with the Provost and Academic Affairs senior leadership to develop strategic communications plans.
  • Communicate regularly with the Office of the President to ensure that the Provost's Office is supporting and elevating institutional priorities and strategic imperatives.
  • Collaborate with University Communications and Marketing, Student Affairs, and other institutional bodies representing UMBC faculty, staff, and students to ensure a flow of information into and out of the Provost's Office.
  • Engage with key stakeholders across campus to ensure the university's mission and brand are captured in the Provost's communications.
  • Assist with communications for other offices within Academic Affairs to ensure consistency of voice and strategy.
• Project Management
  • Maintain the Provost's office website, including posting, updating, and refreshing content.
  • Assist with vetting and prioritizing the Provost's speaking invitations.
  • Conduct research into institutional data, trends in higher education, and news and current events to support content development.
  • Monitor and evaluate reactions to the Provost's communications, media appearances, and social media mentions to inform future strategies.
  • Maintain a database of the Provost's speeches and statements.
• Other duties as assigned

• Bachelor's degree preferably in English, Communications, Journalism, Political Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of professional writing experience, preferably in speech writing, public relations, or a similar field.
• Proven record of leading strategic communications initiatives.
• Experience maintaining web pages and social media accounts.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills with a keen attention to detail.
• Strong research and analytical abilities to gather and synthesize information.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and consensus-building skills to effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently under pressure and manage multiple deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software.

• A Master's degree is preferred.
• Experience in higher education or working with senior executives is highly desirable.

A background check will be required. 

Upload a cover letter and a resume.  

UMBC offers a rich benefits package.

Regular and grant funded regular positions (Full benefits summary click here):

Generous Leave which includes accruing:

• 22 Days of Annual Leave  
• 15 Days of Sick Leave  
• 15 Holidays
• 3 Personal Days

Tuition Remission:

• 8 credit hours per semester
• Tuition remission at UMBC for eligible dependents after two years of FT employment

Additional Benefits:

• Life and disability insurance
• Retirement plans (including the choice of joining the pension plan)
• Professional development opportunities
• Wellness opportunities
• & Much more

Contingent II positions may include some benefits. 

Benefits offered align with type (Regular, Contingent II, etc.) of position. 

Salary: $99,000 - $111,500 depending on qualifications and experience.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations.

The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 410-455-2337 or MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.