📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Assistant Director of Communications, Outreach and Admissions
🔹 Company: Mount Holyoke College
🔹 Location: Mount Holyoke College - Main Campus, South Hadley, MA
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Higher Education
🔹 Date Posted: April 15, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-7 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site with hybrid flexibility
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Strategic planning and execution of communications, outreach, and admissions initiatives
- Collaboration with program directors to identify emerging markets and optimize media strategies
- Creation and management of marketing budgets, tracking campaign performance, and data-driven decision-making
- Overseeing the admissions process and ensuring a seamless student experience
- Event planning and coordination to promote Professional and Graduate Education (PaGE) programs
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking, creativity, and data analysis skills. The ideal candidate will have experience in higher education and a passion for making a meaningful impact on enrollment and engagement.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead strategy and communications to build programs, engage stakeholders, and attract new enrollees, contracts, and partnerships
✅ Develop outreach, marketing, communication, and engagement plans, and oversee communications and marketing budgets
✅ Develop content and oversee the production of print and digital collateral materials across all communications and media platforms
✅ Track relevant data and campaign metrics, using them to make data-driven decisions that guide communications strategies and tactics
✅ Lead the admissions process from the first touch of a potential student through onboarding to ensure a high-quality experience for degree and non-degree students
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, content creation, data analysis, and process management. Strong organizational skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse individuals are crucial for success.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree
Experience: 5-7 years of relevant/progressive experience or an equivalent combination, including experience planning and implementing administrative activities
Required Skills:
- Excellent interpersonal, writing, communication, and presentation skills
- Demonstrated ability to organize work effectively, problem-solve, prioritize, and exercise independent judgment
- Must work effectively with diverse individuals
- Basic business math and the ability to manage a budget
Preferred Skills:
- MA in a related discipline
- Experience in a higher education environment with communications, marketing, and admissions
ASSUMPTION: While a Master's degree is preferred, a Bachelor's degree with relevant experience is considered sufficient for this role. Experience in higher education and strong interpersonal skills are essential.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $59,762 - $67,232 (commensurate with experience)
Benefits:
- 403(b) Retirement Plan (College contributes 10.5% of salary)
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Disability and Leave Benefits
- Life Insurance (College-paid coverage 1x salary)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Tuition Benefits (to Mount Holyoke College or others)
- Generous Paid Time Off
- Access to Kendall Sports & Dance Complex
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with flexible scheduling for hybrid work arrangement
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is provided by the employer and is based on experience. The benefits package is comprehensive and includes retirement, health, and wellness benefits, as well as professional development opportunities.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Higher Education
Company Size: 11-50 employees
Founded: 1837 (as a women's college)
Company Description:
- Mount Holyoke College is a highly selective, residential, research liberal arts college for women, located in South Hadley, Massachusetts
- It is known for its academic excellence, diverse student body, and commitment to social justice and sustainability
- The Weissman Center for Leadership's Speaking, Arguing, and Writing (SAW) program empowers leaders to develop critical thinking, communication, and argumentation skills
Company Specialties:
- Liberal Arts Education
- Women's Leadership Development
- Critical Thinking and Communication Skills
Company Website: Mount Holyoke College
ASSUMPTION: Mount Holyoke College is a well-established institution with a strong reputation for academic excellence and a commitment to women's education and leadership development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level professional with potential for growth and leadership opportunities
Reporting Structure: Reports to the Director of Communications, Outreach, and Admissions
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with a mix of on-site and remote work
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to advance to a Director-level role with increased responsibilities and leadership opportunities
- Professional development opportunities through workshops, conferences, and mentoring programs
- Potential to expand skills and expertise in higher education communications, marketing, and admissions
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the higher education sector. The ideal candidate will be eager to take on new challenges and expand their skills and expertise.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site with hybrid flexibility
Office Location(s): Mount Holyoke College - Main Campus, South Hadley, MA
Geographic Context:
- South Hadley, Massachusetts, is a small town located in the Pioneer Valley, approximately 90 miles west of Boston
- The college is situated on a beautiful, 800-acre campus with historic architecture and modern facilities
- The surrounding area offers a mix of urban and rural environments, with easy access to cultural, recreational, and outdoor activities
Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with flexible scheduling for hybrid work arrangement
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, allowing employees to optimize their work environment and productivity.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Initial phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-depth interview with the hiring manager and other team members
- Final interview with the Director of Communications, Outreach, and Admissions
- Background check and reference check
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and planning skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Data analysis and interpretation skills
- Adaptability and problem-solving skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Mount Holyoke College's mission and values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of Mount Holyoke College's mission and values in your application materials
- Prepare for interview questions that focus on your strategic thinking, communication, and data analysis skills, as well as your ability to work effectively with diverse individuals
ATS Keywords: Higher Education, Strategic Communication, Outreach, Marketing, Admissions, Data Analysis, Budget Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Diversity Engagement
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, communication, and data analysis skills, as well as their ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and align with Mount Holyoke College's mission and values.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Marketing automation and email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact)
- Social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer)
- Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal)
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for higher education communications, marketing, and admissions professionals. Proficiency in these tools is expected, and training will be provided as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Academic excellence and intellectual curiosity
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Collaboration and community
- Integrity and accountability
- Sustainability and social responsibility
Work Style:
- Strategic and data-driven decision-making
- Collaborative and team-oriented approach
- Adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic environment
- Strong communication and presentation skills
- Attention to detail and commitment to high-quality work
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do your personal values align with Mount Holyoke College's mission and values?
- How have you demonstrated your ability to work effectively with diverse individuals in previous roles?
- How do you approach strategic planning and data-driven decision-making in your current or previous roles?
- How do you balance attention to detail with a broader, strategic perspective?
ASSUMPTION: Mount Holyoke College values a diverse and inclusive work environment, and candidates who demonstrate a strong commitment to these values will be well-suited for this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Balancing strategic planning and execution with day-to-day admissions and marketing tasks
- Managing multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Working effectively with diverse individuals, including students, faculty, and staff from various backgrounds and disciplines
- Adapting to changes in higher education trends, technologies, and best practices
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate for this role will be adaptable, resilient, and able to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with competing priorities and demands.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike other communications or marketing roles, this position focuses specifically on higher education and professional and graduate education programs
- This role requires a unique blend of strategic thinking, data analysis, and process management skills, with a strong emphasis on higher education experience
- Career progression in this role could lead to leadership positions in higher education communications, marketing, and admissions
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique within the higher education sector, requiring a specific skill set and experience level. Candidates should have a strong understanding of higher education communications, marketing, and admissions to be successful in this role.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a comprehensive marketing campaign to promote a new professional development program
- Analyzing admissions data to identify trends and optimize the admissions process for degree and non-degree students
- Creating and managing a budget for marketing and communications initiatives, tracking spending, and ensuring compliance with institutional and regulatory guidelines
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of responsibilities and skills required for this role, from strategic planning and execution to data analysis and process management.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the overall communications, outreach, and admissions strategy for Mount Holyoke College's Professional and Graduate Education programs?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Mount Holyoke College support the professional development and growth of employees in this role?
- What are the key challenges facing the Professional and Graduate Education programs, and how can this role address them?
- How does this role collaborate with other departments and stakeholders to achieve overall institutional goals?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to assess the candidate's understanding of the role, their strategic thinking and planning skills, and their ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and stakeholders.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for interview questions that focus on your strategic thinking, communication, and data analysis skills, as well as your ability to work effectively with diverse individuals
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and reiterate your interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
