Assistant Director, Advancement Communications - University Advancement

Location: Saint Louis, MO 63105 | Scheduled hours: 37.5 per week

About the role

The Assistant Director, Advancement Communications has significant responsibility for developing and managing marketing and digital communications for Washington University’s annual giving efforts. This includes two primary areas of responsibility: researching and writing print and electronic solicitation materials, and collaborating closely with Annual Giving Programs as a member of the team to plan and implement a strategic annual campaign of mail and electronic publications. These activities will result in advancing Washington University’s strategic plans to acquire and retain donors and raise tens of millions of dollars per year.

Responsibilities

• Research and write materials for a high volume of solicitations and other efforts annually. Materials include e-newsletters, letters, postcards, and broadcast emails to a variety of constituents.
• In collaboration with Annual Giving Programs staff and other staff, ensure solicitation materials across University Advancement meet department and university quality standards in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with the director of advancement communications, art director, and Annual Giving Programs to develop creative concepts for direct mail and electronic solicitations.
• Collaborate closely with Annual Giving Programs as a member of a team to plan and implement a strategic annual campaign of print and electronic publications.
• Provide recommendations for new strategies to effectively market fundraising efforts.
• Manage schedules and approval process for multiple projects to meet strict deadlines.
• Build solicitation and stewardship emails for large audiences, coordinating elements and timing with the art director, data analyst, and Annual Giving and Digital Strategy teams.
• In collaboration with the art director, assist with creating photos or coordinating photoshoots for print pieces, emails, and newsletters.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the director of advancement communications and assistant vice chancellor of advancement communications.

Working Conditions

• Normal office environment.
• Travel may be required.
• Typically sitting at desk or table.
• Typically standing or walking.
• Use of office equipment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 2 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Exceptional creativity demonstrated by effective communications developed for higher education, not-for-profit, or similar audiences.
• Strong research and writing skills demonstrated in feature, brochure, marketing, and/or direct mail copy.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality deliverables for multiple projects, to manage competing priorities, and to meet demanding deadlines.
• 3 years of experience in publications editing, writing, production, or a related field.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Word, and Salesforce Marketing Cloud.
• Skills in business priorities, communication, deadline management, detail-oriented tasks, development writing, donor reporting, interpersonal interactions, marketing, organizing, project management, researching, software programs, task organization, team collaboration, and working independently.

Pay

Targeted hiring range: $49,700 - $58,000 annually. The salary range for this position is $49,700 - $82,100 per year. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade, and department budget.

Benefits

• Time off: Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Health: Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Transportation: Free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• Retirement: Defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, combining employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
• Wellness: Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more.
• Family: 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with a new child. Family care resources for childcare and adult care needs. Tuition coverage for employees and their family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years of employment.