Executive Director of Advancement Marketing and Communications

About the role

The Executive Director of Advancement Marketing and Communications serves as the strategic leader responsible for the design and execution of a comprehensive advancement marketing and communications effort to strengthen philanthropic support and engagement for Washington and Lee University.

Responsibilities

• Serves as primary strategist and liaison between University Advancement and Communications and Public Affairs to ensure consistent advancement messaging, brand alignment, and coordination across platforms.

• Develops annual advancement marketing plans that deliver cohesive themes and messages across all channels including maintenance of a division-wide marketing and communications calendar.

• Establishes and tracks key performance indicators to measure impact and effectiveness to support data informed decisions.

• Oversees University Advancement web content and social media strategy, coordinating closely with University Communications and Public Affairs.

• Supports University Advancement events through strategic messaging, promotion, and targeted communications while ensuring event materials reinforce campaign priorities, engagement goals, and institutional identity.

• Convenes and leads University Advancement marketing and communications working group to coordinate work across the division, drive strategy, monitor results, and ensure coordination with Communications and Public Affairs.

• Leads, mentors, and develops University Advancement marketing and communications staff; manages relationships with external agencies, consultants, and vendors as needed.

• Partners with University Communications and Public Affairs to announce major gifts and secure strategic visibility for current and prospective supporters across appropriate channels.

• Equips more than 1,000 advancement volunteers with clear messaging and materials to empower them to serve as effective ambassadors.

• Manages budgets, timelines, and deliverables to ensure high-quality outcomes and as needed serves as University Advancement's primary liaison to creative vendors.

• Writes, edits, and advises on messaging for solicitations, proposals, stewardship and impact reports, presentations, and events.

• Ensures all University Advancement marketing and communications are accurate, strategic, and aligned with university brand standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, journalism, communications, or related field with advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of seven years demonstrated professional experience in marketing and communications, with preference for direct experience in advancement and higher education.
• Extensive knowledge of integrated marketing strategy, brand management, digital marketing, audience segmentation, and data analytics.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling ability.
• Proficiency with marketing tools, CMS/CRM platforms, and design software.
• Demonstrated leadership and experience managing a professional team of skilled marketing and communications staff and external partners.
• Knowledge of best practices in university advancement higher education fundraising, engagement, communication, and stewardship.
• Exceptional collaborative skills and commitment to the mission and values of Washington and Lee University.