Department: The Ballmer Institute for Children's Behavioral Health
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Compensation Band: OS-OA08-Fiscal Year 2023-2024
FTE: 1.0

Application Review Begins

October 6, 2023; Position open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

To ensure consideration, complete applications must include the following along with the online application:

• A cover letter highlighting how your knowledge, skills, and experience quality you for the requirements, competencies, and if applicable, preferred qualifications outlined in the job announcement.
• A resume of your professional work experience, education, and applicable certifications.

The online application includes the name and contact information of at least three professional references. The candidate will be notified prior to references being contacted.

Department Summary

The Ballmer Institute for Children's Behavioral Health at the University of Oregon Portland established a new national model for behavioral healthcare for children and families by creating the nation’s first undergraduate program in child behavioral health.   

The institute prioritizes the needs of youth who have been historically or persistently underserved and seeks to make real system change by:  

- Creating a new mental health profession  
- Delivering support in schools and the community  
- Training existing youth-serving professionals  
- Developing new approaches to support child behavioral health  
- Transforming the Pacific Northwest into a national model of thought and action  

This groundbreaking institute was made possible by an extraordinary gift from Connie and Steve Ballmer, co-founders of Ballmer Group Philanthropy.

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing for the Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health (associate director) is responsible for communicating the institute’s vision, mission, goals, and progress with relevant stakeholders by developing and executing a comprehensive communication and marketing strategy.

The associate director is responsible for implementing strategic communications strategies and outreach across a variety of channels and platforms (traditional and emerging) to a variety of audiences including prospective students and faculty, decision-makers, donors, industry partners, peers, media, external and internal advisory boards, and internal faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders. This position works closely with staff and faculty to help focus and amplify the effectiveness, consistency, and visibility of the institute’s activities. The associate director serves as the primary writer and storyteller for the institute and manages the institute’s digital presence.

Additionally, the associate director is the primary liaison between the Ballmer Institute and University Communications (UC) ensuring compliance with University of Oregon brand standards. The associate director is responsible for sharing the priorities, communications, and marketing strategy and objectives with UC leadership while working to identify opportunities for coordination, collaboration, and amplification – particularly as it relates to earned media. Media relations activities such as news releases and media pitches must be coordinated with and approved by UC Media Relations.

The associate director is supervised by the Senior Director and Chief of Staff and has the opportunity to develop and lead a team of student workers.

This position is located in Portland and is eligible to work a hybrid schedule (approximately 3 days in person per week). Travel to Eugene will be necessary for a few days each month. Additionally, this work requires occasional evenings and weekends.

Minimum Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree AND five years of experience in communications, public relations, marketing, or public affairs. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• One year of experience with supervising students and/or staff.

Professional Competencies

• Superior ability to write in a journalistic style that is customary for higher education.
• Ability to assimilate complex information, translate research concepts, and develop content for a variety of audiences, media, and contexts.
• Commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity and equity through communications and within the workplace.
• Ability to work independently, set appropriate work priorities, and require minimal supervision over regular work activities.
• Ability to work well and collaborate in a team environment.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and tight deadlines.
• Ability to provide communications counsel and support for an executive or institutional leader.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a higher education setting, preferably in a role communicating research or pedagogically rich content for diverse audiences.
• Experience with media relations.
• Mastery of digital communications, including website, photo editing, content management systems, and PowerPoint.
• Graduate degree in a behavioral health field (e.g., psychology, counseling, nursing, social work) or certificate in science/technical communications.

FLSA Exempt: Yes

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background inquiry.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit http://hr.uoregon.edu/careers/about-benefits.

The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply, and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights Compliance, or to the Office for Civil Rights. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed on the statement of non-discrimination.

In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://clery.uoregon.edu/annual-campus-security-and-fire-safety-report.