Working Title: Ambassador: Media Strategy and Development

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: College of Education

Department: 540961 - I'm Determined Center

Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience

Specify Range or Amount:

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? Yes. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon continued funding.

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 04/19/2025

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

The Virginia Department of Education I'm Determined Center (IMD) at JMU is seeking a qualified and experienced Ambassador of Media Strategy and Development. We are looking for a dynamic candidate who is interested in a work environment that affords ongoing professional learning opportunities, collaboration with colleagues, and an opportunity to influence educational practices. This is a grant-funded position.

Visual media has been a strength of the I’m Determined project since its inception. Visual media includes, but is not limited to, animated or live-action videos, documentary and narrative-style video projects, event coverage, and the development of online modules or courses that package I’m Determined media and resources so that youth, families, and educators can access and learn about self-determination when it suits them best.

The Media Strategy and Development Ambassador is a state-wide position that will develop and maintain strategy for media creation throughout each year, will provide leadership during media projects and “on-set” days, and will work with the leadership team to create media that captures the results of what happens when youth become more self-determined. This ambassador will also work closely with other ambassadors to help create media that helps them with their work. For example, the media ambassador could work with the research ambassador to help create something that allows the general public to better understand the research and findings, or could work with the youth leadership development ambassador to create a video that helps youth leaders tell their story. The Media Strategy and Development Ambassador should also be ready to explore other mediums besides visual media, for example, podcast and other audio-related media.

This is a tele-eligible position.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Creative Vision and Strategy:
Develop and implement the overall creative strategy and vision for the I’m Determined Project
Ensure that all creative output aligns with the brand's identity and goals.

Team Leadership:
Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of creative professionals, including designers, writers, and artists. I’m Determined partners with graphic designers, web developers, media creators, copywriters, etc. This position helps align these partnerships to the mission and vision of I’m Determined so that the media being produced showcases how youth, families, and educators are practicing self-determination skills, and highlights the outcomes that come from that practice.
Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment.

Project Oversight and management:
Working with the Associate Director of Innovation, this position will oversee the development and execution of creative projects from concept to completion.
Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet high-quality standards.
Lead communication with all project collaborators and IMD Center leadership.

Youth, Family, Educator Collaboration:
Work closely with youth, families, and educators in Virginia to understand their needs around self-determination.
Present creative concepts and campaigns to each audience, incorporating feedback and making necessary adjustments.

Brand Management:
Maintain and enhance the brand's visual and creative identity across all channels.
Ensure consistency in messaging and design across all marketing materials and platforms.

Innovation and Trends:
Stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices.
Implement innovative solutions to keep the brand at the forefront of the industry.

Budget Management:
Manage the creative budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.
Negotiate with vendors and freelancers to optimize costs.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Marketing, Film Studies, Cinematography, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in a creative role, with a significant portion in a leadership position.
• Proven track record of successful creative projects and campaigns.
• Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and video editing software such as Adobe Premier Pro, Davinci Resolve.
• Strong understanding of digital media, web design, and multimedia production.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills.
• Ability to inspire and motivate a creative team.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to present and articulate creative concepts to clients and stakeholders effectively.
• Exceptional creative thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to align creative efforts with business objectives.
• Keen eye for detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality work.
• Ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously without compromising quality.
• Ability to travel regionally and occasionally statewide.

Additional Posting Information:

In addition to your resume and cover letter, submit a sample of your previous work (under "Other Document #1").

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.