Assistant Director, Engagement Marketing

About the Role

The Assistant Director for Engagement Marketing will execute email campaigns and registration/website pages to support groups, broad-based programs, and events. These initiatives will help strategically cultivate alumni and students in meaningful ways that result in engaged volunteers and donors. This role serves on the Northwestern Alumni Association (NAA) team within Alumni Relations and Development (ARD).

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning: Administers and maintains existing strategic plans. Recommends changes and improvements to maximize effective communications and best practices, fostering a culture of engagement and participation with the University.
• Collaboration: Works closely with internal teams and department partners, including:
  • NAA – supporting online engagement efforts for signature programs, events, and initiatives.
  • ARD User Services – assisting with audience data management and advanced troubleshooting.
  • ARD Marketing and Communications – implementing best practices in accessibility, inclusive language, editorial style, and brand.
  • Other ARD teams (e.g., Annual Giving, Special Events, Athletics) – minimal collaboration as assigned.
• Events: Markets and promotes NAA signature events and programmatic initiatives by executing broadcast emails and building individual web pages. Processes and maintains online event information via registration pages. Assists with occasional event execution as part of the NAA team.
• Administration: Organizes and executes administrative aspects of production and distribution of constituent communications, including data manipulation. Optimizes technology for marketing, communications, and data reporting. Participates in NAA team and ARD departmental meetings.
• Miscellaneous: Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 2 years of development, marketing, sales, or equivalent experience.

Skills

• High level of organization: Manages multiple priorities effectively in a fast-paced environment. Maintains clear systems for tracking tasks, deadlines, and information.
• Attention to detail: Produces accurate, high-quality work with minimal oversight. Reviews information carefully to ensure precision.
• Collaboration and accountability: Builds relationships across teams and demonstrates ownership for shared work and outcomes.
• Analytical thinking: Applies critical reasoning to solve problems and make decisions.
• Communication and self-awareness: Adapts communication approaches to foster understanding and builds productive relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with Salesforce products (e.g., Marketing Cloud, Blackthorn Events) or similar databases.
• Experience working with a content management system for basic web editing (e.g., Cascade CMS).
• Experience working with a constituent records management system.
• Strategic lens: Understands marketing, communications, and project management best practices. Identifies opportunities for improvements.

Pay

The target budgeted salary for this position is $60,000 to $64,000 annually. Offers will be based on candidate experience, education, and equity within Northwestern University.

Schedule

This role is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, up to two days remote and three days onsite.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Paid vacation, holidays, medical/sick leave, and parental leave.
• Tuition benefits for employees and dependents.
• Pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care.
• Retirement savings options.
• Wellness programs.
• Work-life programs, including flexible work arrangements, childcare, and senior/adult care support.
• Professional growth and development resources.