Associate Director, Fundraising Communications

Salary target: $75,000 to $80,000 annually. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, internal equity, and market data.

About the role

The associate director of fundraising communications is a detail-oriented writer and editor with broad-based responsibilities for creating and managing fundraising materials, gift proposals, alumni and donor communications, marketing materials, and other content on behalf of Northwestern University Alumni Relations and Development (ARD). In collaboration with the senior director of strategic philanthropy communications and other ARD colleagues, the associate director both contributes to and manages projects, interacting directly with internal and external partners in a deadline-driven environment. This role primarily focuses on creating fundraising proposals and managing ARD’s library of proposal content to support gift officers in their conversations with donors. This role is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, up to two days remote and three onsite.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with gift officers and ARD colleagues to craft high-quality, engaging gift proposals, one-sheets, and other materials to support fundraising efforts for various University initiatives.
• Maintain library of proposal content language, including regularly updating existing content, adding new content, and collaborating with staff across ARD to ensure accuracy of information.
• Write and edit content to support the work of the ARD Marketing and Communications team, including press releases, magazine stories, original content, alumni and donor communications, and other marketing and communications materials as assigned.
• Act as the Marketing and Communications liaison to colleagues throughout ARD, serving as their primary marketing and communications contact and managing projects to ensure they are successfully completed on time and meet partner expectations.
• Work with ARD Marketing and Communications team to manage project schedules, maintain strategic alignment, and ensure deliverables are completed on time.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Successful completion of a full four-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.
• Eight years of marketing/communications or other relevant writing experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education advancement, development, alumni relations, nonprofit fundraising, or a similarly complex mission-driven organization.
• Experience writing fundraising proposals and/or familiarity with higher education fundraising.
• Project management: managing multiple communications projects simultaneously, including coordinating stakeholders, establishing timelines, and ensuring on-time delivery of high-quality materials.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Paid vacation, holidays, medical/sick leave, and parental leave.
• Tuition benefits for the employee and dependents.
• Pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care.
• Generous retirement savings options.
• Wellness programs.
• Flexible work arrangements where possible.
• Programs to help locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care.
• Professional growth and development support, including tools and resources for career development and continuing education.