Assistant Director of Strategic Communications, Institute for Human Development, 80627

Hiring Department

The University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC) Institute for Human Development, University Center on Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (IHD) is an applied research and training center for human services designed to exemplify the University’s goals of engaged scholarship and community partnerships. Its functions include interdisciplinary training, applied research, community program development and information dissemination.

Job Description

The University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC) Institute for Human Development, University Center on Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (IHD) is an applied research and training center for human services designed to exemplify the University’s goals of engaged scholarship and community partnerships. Its functions include interdisciplinary training, applied research, community program development and information dissemination.

This position will coordinate the information dissemination function at the UMKC Institute for Human Development (IHD) to ensure information dissemination strategies are effective, accessible and follow best standards. The function involves the creation, organization, and dissemination of information including professional publications and products. Outcomes of this function are intended to increase public awareness, build capacity, and expand research and practice knowledge within the field of developmental disabilities.

This position will coordinate the efforts of a multidisciplinary communications team that works closely with IHD leadership team and Principle Investigators to promote UMKC-IHD’s brand, co-design and implement organizational and project communications plans, providing support to IHD training, research, and education teams, and representation within local, regional, and national contexts. This person will be part of IHD’s Leadership team.

The role described below is the job description for a new position, an Assistant Director Strategic Communications. The candidate’s responsibility within the information dissemination function the following activities:

• Coordinate dissemination and marketing strategies of IHD and team projects, including digital design, social media and print to a diverse array of target audiences with UMKC IHD.
• Assist with planning, monitoring, and managing internal projects from initialization through completion, ensuring on-time completion according to specifications and within budgeted costs.
• Provide support, including the design, development, and publication of deliverable materials for distribution and dissemination.
• Research, write and/or support the development of website copy, newsletters, white papers, news releases and presentation materials with content experts, as needed
• Audit for and apply mandatories, such as grant/contract or legal policies, to documents as needed
• Manage activities and/or team members who are responsible for web design, SEO visibility, and digital analytics.
• Discuss information outcomes with IHD leadership and establish metrics to track data and dissemination effectiveness
• Assess current and future needs and assist with establishing short- and long-term goals, objectives, and strategies, in coordination with Senior Leadership.
• Perform assignments and responsibilities of varying degrees of complexity and diversity.
• Manage a team of at least three members
• Act as a resource for colleagues with less experience, including student workers.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience and at least four years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Creative Suite. Proficiency with customer relationship management systems (CRM) and social media platforms. Understanding of web content management platforms, including WordPress and Drupal.
• Minimum of two years of management-level experience coordinating communications or marketing team.

Salary

$65,000 - $78,000 per year commensurate with experience, education, and internal equity.

Application Deadline

Position will remain open until filled, review of applications to begin immediately.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or the recruiting rights of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces or the Department of Homeland Security of the United States of America. For more information, call the Vice Chancellor - Human Resources at 816-235-1621.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties and functions of this job. If you believe you may have difficulty performing any of the duties or functions of this job, please contact the Office of Affirmative Action at (816) 235-1323.

EEO IS THE LAW

To read more about Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) please use the following links:

• EEO is the Law English Version
• EEO is the Law Spanish Version
• EEO is the Law Chinese Version

UMKC Statement on Diversity

Diversity, equity and inclusion are central to the UMKC mission as an urban-serving institution. Kansas City is a particularly diverse city, including African, African American, Asian, German, Irish, Italian, Latino, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Native American and Slavic communities. Such ethnic diversity, in addition to our thriving neighborhoods of the Westside, Northeast Kansas City and the Eastside, fosters creativity, connection and innovation, which is showcased across the region. Major attractions such as the Annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, the Filipino Cultural Center, the American Jazz Museum, Guadalupe Centers and Mattie Rhodes and Kansas City Irish Fest are a small sample of the many ways our diverse city enriches us.

For the reasons enumerated above, UMKC’s strategic plan prioritizes our commitment to multiculturalism, globalism, diversity and inclusion. The university’s values call upon its faculty, staff, students and community to position themselves as global citizens who seek out, embrace and celebrate the many benefits of diversity. UMKC received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award in 2019 in recognition of our continued commitment to equity and inclusion. Such commitment is demonstrated across teaching, service and research. We welcome applicants to share in our commitment to these core values and know that you will quickly understand the beauty of calling Kansas City your home.

Please visit these pages to learn more about UMKC’s engagement in diversity, equity and inclusion .

Roos Advocate for Community Change

The Division of Diversity and Inclusion

Annual Report

Multicultural Student Affairs

Benefit Eligibility

Why UMKC?

We offer full benefits that start day one, generous paid time off, paid winter break, and continuing education benefits. Visit our Total Rewards page to learn more.

Also, explore the Total Rewards website to learn more about the rewards package we offer to acknowledge our employees as the university's most important r esource.