The Education Secretariat is committed to equity and valuing the unique and diverse characteristics and experiences of every member of its workforce. We encourage an authentic workplace where colleagues show up as their full selves, where collaboration, innovation, and connections are key to realizing our mission that all children, youth, and families thrive socially, academically, and economically. We seek teammates who are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive work environment, where everyone is valued and engaged. We encourage you to apply and identify your strengths in these areas. The Massachusetts Public Higher Education System The Massachusetts System of Public Higher Education ("System") enrolls approximately 260,000 students in credit-bearing programs annually. The System consists of 15 community colleges, 9 state universities, and 5 University of Massachusetts ("UMass") campuses. The Board of Higher Education (BHE) has coordination and oversight responsibilities for the entire System, and the BHE, together with each respective Board of Trustees, expects all students, faculty, and staff to be held to exacting standards in the performance of their roles and responsibilities. The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education ("Board" or "BHE") is the Commonwealth's higher education authority with coordinating and regulatory responsibility for all public and private higher education institutions operating in the Commonwealth that are authorized to grant degrees. The BHE is staffed by the Department of Higher Education (DHE), which is run by aCommissionerwho serves as the executive and administrative head of the department. Together, the BHE and DHE are the leading voice and advocate for postsecondary education in the Commonwealth. In addition, the BHE and DHE's authority includes administering state financial aid and federal grant programs; managing and responding to consumer complaints; conducting financial assessments of institutions; managing employee relations and benefits for public higher education employees; managing collective bargaining contracts with state university and community colleges employees; and approving degree-granting authority for all public and most private higher education institutions operating within the Commonwealth. Currently, there are 80 private institutions of higher education operating in the Commonwealth and authorized to grant degrees. The BHE is staffed by its executive agency, the Department of Higher Education (DHE), which is run by Commissioner Ortega. The Department of Higher Education is committed to theValuesof Equity, Accountability, Community, Empowerment, Intentionality, and Teamwork, and seeks applicants who value the full diversity of Massachusetts students and who share a sensitivity to and understanding of the academic, socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of the populations served. We employ a hybrid hoteling work model with a fixed weekly team day schedule. _Position Overview _ The Assistant Director of Strategic Communications will be half of a dedicated two-person communications team within the Commissioner's Office, serving as a lead contributor in shaping the Department of Higher Education's (DHE) public voice and advancing its work to increase higher education equity in Massachusetts. Reporting to the Director of Strategic Communications, the Assistant Director serves as the Department's brand manager responsible for ensuring that information across multiple platforms is consistent, timely, clear, and compelling. This role requires creating and implementing policies for external information-sharing across the Department and exercising expert judgment and strong interpersonal skills. The Assistant Director will also create and drive high-priority communications plans and external-facing content. While promoting various emerging Departmental priorities and initiatives, this person will play a crucial role in ensuring that information about historic state financial aid programs is clear and accessible for students and families. _Responsibilities/Essential Job Functions _ The Assistant Director serves as the Department's brand manager and a key partner in creating and executing communications plans and materials. This person will: Develop standards for DHE web content, print materials, social media, and other external communications to ensure accuracy, consistency with DHE and Go Higher brands, and alignment with agency priorities. Create policies and processes for adhering to standards for external content, and work across the Department to implement and maintain policies. Assess and manage printing needs and issue final approval for all external print materials, exercising judgment on when to elevate items to the Director. Lead procurement for creative vendors and manage these projects. Create and implement strategic communications plans, serving as project manager and working with colleagues across the Department to ensure that multi-step information gathering, message development, and approval processes progress on schedule. Write and distribute external materials, such as press releases, media advisories, web stories, fact sheets, one-pagers, newsletters, and others, working across the Department to ensure accuracy. Ensure the Department's top priorities and latest news are visible and up to date on the website, along with the Commissioner's Office updates, andensure that this content aligns with the Enterprise Digital Accessibility Policy. Partner with digital services and operations to establish a comprehensive web governance strategy, ensuring consistent and timely presentation of high-priority content on the DHE website, and developing and implementing a clear, documented process for regular content updates. Manage the Department's social media presence. Keep Departmental colleagues updated on key initiatives and developments. Engage with stakeholders outside of DHE, such as other state entities, students, and members of the media. Field media inquiries and plan and staff events as needed. Assist with video needs and design materials, such as one-pagers. _Competencies/Skills and Abilities _ Ability to plan, organize, and track work using core project-management principles, including defining scope, milestones, and deliverables aligned with agency priorities. Demonstrated skill in managing tasks and timelines in a structured, transparent way, with comfort coordinating across teams to keep projects on track. Familiarity with common project-management tools and digital work platforms (e.g., Asana, Trello, Smartsheet, MS365 tools) and the ability to adopt new tools as needed. Consistently applies the agency's WCAG-aligned accessibility requirements to all digital materials they create or revise, ensuring documents, presentations, and other files are accessible to all users. Aspires to lead by and practice theDHE Values and Behaviorsand commits to embody them through continued learning and personal growth. Experience working with diverse teams and leveraging their unique perspectives to achieve positive outcomes. . Demonstrated experience in creating an inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued. Promotes a collaborative workplace climate. Exceptional writing skills for media and web, especially the ability to distill complex information into concise and compelling narratives. Strong attention to detail, a commitment to accuracy and accessibility, and discretion when working with sensitive and confidential information. Ability to consider the needs of various stakeholders and integrate them into planning. The ability to develop thoughtful and informed policies and implement them with colleagues at multiple levels of the Department. Exceptional interpersonal skills and professional tone in all written and verbal communications, and the ability to both lead initiatives independently and work collaboratively with others. Ability to meet tight deadlines and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Social media skills and exceptional judgement on appropriate and compelling content. Knowledge of what makes print materials compelling for their intended audiences. Ability to engage with individuals of various backgrounds. Skilled in media relations. _Preferred Qualifications_ At least four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in communications that includes writing press releases or news stories. Exceptional writing and communication skills, including writing for media and web. Strong attention to detail, a commitment to accuracy and accessibility, and the ability to distill complex information into clear, concise, and compelling narratives. Experience in considering the needs of multiple stakeholders with diverse viewpoints. Demonstrated professional tone in all external materials and interpersonally. Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to both lead initiatives independently and work collaboratively with others. Strategic planning and project management skills, including experience keeping projects with multiple touchpoints moving forward and exercising judgment throughout the process. Ability to develop thoughtful policies and processes that are effective and efficient. Knowledge of what makes visual and written materials compelling for their intended audiences. Ability to meet tight deadlines and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Demonstrated commitment to public higher education and education equity. High ethical standards and a commitment to transparency and integrity. _Reporting and Location_ One Ashburton Place, Boston, Massachusetts In-state hybrid work, with a minimum of two in-person days each week Occasional in-state travel _To Apply:_ Interested candidates should submit the following to Taina.Noelsaint@mass.gov Resume Cover letter addressed to the Hiring Committee outlining your relevant experience and interest specific to this position and the Department. The cover letter will be reviewed as a sample of your writing and ability to convey a compelling message. Two samples of your writing that are press releases or news stories. MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, professional internship, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration, or clinical management, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below. Substitutions: I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience. II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience. III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required experience. IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required experience. Comprehensive Benefits When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards! Salary placement is determined by years of experience and education directly related to the position, in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Recruiting Guidelines. An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role. Job: Education Organization: Department of Higher Education Title: Assistant Director of Strategic Communications Location: Massachusetts-Boston-1 Ashburton Place Requisition ID: 260000GN
