Associate Director of Outreach & Engagement

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About The University of Texas at Austin

What starts here changes the world.

The University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1883, ranks among the best universities in the world. With 76 programs ranked in the top 10, UT Austin is the #1 public university in Texas and the #7 public university in the nation.

Like the state it calls home, The University of Texas at Austin is a bold, ambitious leader supporting more than 55,000 students, 4,750 faculty, 15,000 staff and top national programs across 18 colleges and schools. Amid the backdrop of Austin, Texas, a city recognized for its creative and entrepreneurial spirit, the University provides a place to explore countless opportunities for tomorrow's artists, scientists, athletes, doctors, entrepreneurs and engineers.

Learn more about UT's mission and values and leadership.

Why Join Texas Development?

The University of Texas at Austin is a thriving hub of learning and discovery that anchors our city and enables excellence and innovation on the highest level. And it's only possible because generous supporters believe in the power and promise of our state's flagship university to change the world. With more than $6 billion raised in the What Starts Here campaign, Texas Development is quickly becoming one of the best fundraising programs in public higher education.

Texas Development is a dynamic community of 500+ fundraising professionals across the Forty Acres. We strive to reach the highest levels of achievement and success in all that we do by creating meaningful and powerful experiences for our donors.

Follow your passion, grow your career and help us change the world.

Benefits

The University provides a competitive benefits package that includes insurance and retirement benefits in addition to other programs and services.

Texas Development supports growth by offering professional development opportunities that help every team member accomplish their goals, enrich their skillset and deepen their engagement with UT.

The Associate Director for Outreach & Engagement supports the strategic execution of communication initiatives for ceremonial, reputational, presidential, and development events. This role is responsible for copywriting and editing all event and experience-related materials, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and consistency across digital, print, and social media platforms. The Associate Director applies knowledge of event communication strategy, fundraising communications, and executive-level messaging to elevate the university's profile and advance institutional objectives. Working collaboratively with the Director of Outreach & Engagement, design team and other stakeholders, this position contributes to a cohesive outreach and engagement plan that maintains a polished institutional brand and supports fundraising goals.

The ideal candidate demonstrates exceptional copywriting and editing skills, a strong understanding of event and fundraising communication strategies, and the ability to craft executive-level content that enhances the university's reputation. Attention to detail, the ability to meet multiple deadlines, and experience working in a high-profile academic environment are essential.

• Draft, edit, and maintain comprehensive outreach plans and content for all UEE-owned events, including copywriting for brand/graphic identities, communication strategies, on-site materials, and digital/web assets, in alignment with university standards.

• Support the development, production, and execution of print and digital content for presidential and development events, including invitations, landing pages, digital assets, and on-site materials, with a strong focus on editorial quality and fundraising communications strategy.

• Ensure all public-facing communications, including event promotions, website, social media, and outreach materials, adhere to university brand standards and reflect executive-level messaging.

• Play a key role in the planning and execution of strategic communications for ceremonial events (such as commencements, inaugurations, and milestone celebrations for ceremonial events (such as commencements, inaugurations, and milestone celebrations), coordinating messaging, press-facing materials, and planning in collaboration with multiple university stakeholders, colleges, schools and units, and external relations.

• Serve as primary copy editor with graphic designers to ensure all visual assets, print, digital, and on-site, are aligned with approved copy with timely feedback throughout the design process.

• Collaborate with communications staff in other colleges, schools, and units to coordinate messaging and ensure the consistency of ceremonial and event communications across the university, sharing best practices and offering consultation as needed.

• Develop, review, and update web copy for the campus calendar, working closely with web managers to ensure content is current, engaging, and accessible to diverse audiences.

• Contribute to the creations and execution of the annual communications plan by identifying key outreach opportunities, proposing innovative engagement strategies, and providing regular progress updates to the Director and senior leadership.

• Additional duties as assigned

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or a closely related field, or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.

• At least four years of progressively responsible experience in communications, event marketing, or related roles, including substantial experience supporting large-scale, multi-stakeholder events and managing both print and digital content.

• Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and manage communications plans, including content creation, editorial oversight, and brand alignment.

• Proven track record overseeing multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines, including editorial calendars, event communications, and stakeholder coordination.

• Strong knowledge of digital analytics, CRM-based communications, and audience segmentation to support targeted event outreach and reporting.

• Understanding of digital marketing skills, including segmentation of contact lists and use of analytics tolls within email marketing platforms for strategic event communications.

• Ability to plan, execute, and evaluate end-to-end event communications across multiple platforms and engage a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

• Exceptional attention to detail and editorial accuracy, particularly in high-visibility communications and executive-level messaging.

• Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines with minimal supervision.

• Outstanding writing and editing skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging content for diverse audiences.

• Experience collaborating with senior leadership, faculty, high-profile speakers, students, and external partners in a university or comparable environment.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

• Six or more years of relevant professional experience in a university or similarly complex institutional setting, with increasing responsibility in communications and event management.

• One or more years of supervisory or managerial experience, including leading communications or events teams.

• Significant experience supporting executive leadership, high-profile stakeholders, and ceremonial events, including the development of executive-level messaging and materials.

• Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., Asana, Smartsheet, Adobe Workfront) and editorial planning systems to coordinate event communications and deliverables.

• Experience collaborating with video production teams to create compelling event and impact stories for digital and on-site use.

• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability in managing shifting priorities, urgent deadlines, and the communications needs of multiple university stakeholders.

• Hands-on experience with enterprise email marketing systems (e.g., Eloqua, Emma) and CRMs (e.g., Salesforce, VIP) for audience engagement and reporting.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to represent the university at a high level to students, faculty, senior leaders, and external partners.

• Demonstrated ability to translate event strategies into comprehensive outreach plans, including defining clear scopes of work, assigning responsibilities, and setting deadlines.

• Proven experience developing and overseeing editorial calendars and managing multiple projects simultaneously under time constraints.

• Experience in managing organizational social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn), including campaign planning, content development, and performance analysis.

• Capable of independently managing multiple complex projects and deadlines, demonstrating strong organizational and prioritization skills.

$75,000+ depending on qualifications

• This is an on-site position (40 hours per week) and the schedule will vary based on university and department schedules, and with the types of events scheduled and operational functions.

• Work late evenings and some weekends for scheduled events. Hours are subject to change.

• Works in standard office conditions, in a shared office environment, with repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

• May work in all weather conditions.

• Regular and consistent attendance is required in this job.

• Must be eligible to work in the United States on a full-time basis for any employer without sponsorship.

• This position is based in Austin, Texas.

• Resume/CV

• Three work references with contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

• Letter of Interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer,complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.