Associate Director, Advancement Communications - University Advancement

About the role

The Associate Director of Advancement Communications has significant responsibility for developing and managing direct marketing including print and digital communications for Washington University’s annual giving efforts. This includes two primary areas of responsibility: a) researching, writing, designing, and scheduling print and electronic solicitation materials; b) 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 solicitation letters, postcards, brochures, one-pagers, webpages, broadcast emails, and other tactics targeted to a variety of constituents.
• In collaboration with Annual Giving Programs staff, other fundraising staff, and vendors, ensure solicitation materials across University Advancement meet department and university quality standards in a timely manner.
• Design and 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.
• Project management to ensure timely delivery of materials, including overseeing schedules, coordinating approval process, and managing input and collaboration over multiple stakeholders.
• 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 mail and electronic publications.
• Provide recommendations for new strategies to effectively market fundraising efforts.

Requirements

Relevant Experience (3 Years)

• 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.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Skills

• Adaptability.
• Adobe Creative Suite.
• Business Principles.
• Communication.
• Deadline Management.
• Detail-Oriented.
• Fundraising Communications.
• Goal-Oriented.
• Higher Education Research.
• Leadership.
• Microsoft Word.
• Organizational Commitment.
• Persuasive Writing.
• Print Production.
• Production Scheduling.
• Professional Integrity.
• Project Management.
• Project Management Software (PMS).
• Salesforce Marketing Cloud.
• Sound Judgment.
• Task Organization.
• Team Collaboration.
• Time Prioritization.
• University Education.

Benefits

• Personal: Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines 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: We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.