Senior Communications Specialist

The Oklahoma State University Foundation’s Marketing and Donor Experiences team collaborates with internal and external partners to provide strategic, integrated marketing, communication, creative services, and special events expertise that unites donor passions with university priorities.

About the role

The Senior Communications Specialist will execute the department’s strategic goal of creating effective materials that inspire, solicit, and steward donors. This position prioritizes storytelling to complete and/or contribute to writing assignments that include publications, news releases, speaking points, development materials, advertising, and more. The role plays a leading part in the production of STATE Magazine and distribution of news releases, working closely with the Senior Director of Communications to publicize giving impact, donor and student stories, events, and fundraising messages through a variety of mediums.

Responsibilities

• Editorial Writing and Content Creation (50%)
  • Create compelling impact stories for print and digital publication to inspire, solicit, and steward donors.
  • Write engaging articles for STATE Magazine and other university publications.
  • Serve as the Foundation’s primary manager and editor-in-chief of content for STATE Magazine, which publishes three times a year. Duties include planning, writing, production, review of all content, and representing the Foundation at all STATE planning and strategy meetings.
  • Maintain consistent communication with internal and external partners to ensure a smooth magazine production process.
  • Conduct interviews with donors, students, university officials, faculty, and other relevant personnel in person, over the phone, and via email.
  • Work with the creative services team to conduct interviews for use in videos.
  • Effectively and courteously communicate with donors to coordinate interviews, receive approvals, answer questions, and gather information and photos.
  • Research gifts, donors, university information, and other subjects via internal databases and external sources.
  • Edit colleagues’ work for grammar and consistency, ensuring effective communication.
  • Utilize Microsoft Copilot and other approved AI tools to enhance research, content development, editing, and workflow efficiency while ensuring content aligns with Foundation standards and objectives.
• Public/Media Relations and Events (30%)
  • Serve as the department’s primary handler of news releases, including writing and coordinating public/media relations outreach for gift announcements and special events.
  • Coordinate with Brand Management to plan news release distribution to media outlets and okstate.edu.
  • Write and prepare event speaking points for multiple sources.
  • Write advertisement copy for various publications and distributions.
  • Write email copy for various purposes, including solicitation and stewardship.
  • Write and gain approval on quotes from Foundation and university representatives when necessary.
  • Participate in the execution of major events and initiatives, including Women for OSU, donor society events, major gift announcements, specific campaigns, groundbreakings, and other special projects.
  • Leverage Microsoft Copilot and other approved AI tools to support communications planning, content creation, and information gathering while maintaining accuracy, consistency, and adherence to organizational guidelines.
• Development Communications (20%)
  • Create persuasive fundraising materials for development use, including personalized proposals, cases for support, brochures, and one-sheeters.
  • Collaborate with development partners to ensure materials will be effective for the desired outcome.
  • Conduct research and review online, archived, or provided information and materials to gain background on donors and giving areas.
  • Use Microsoft Copilot and other approved AI tools to assist with research, content development, and project support to improve efficiency and effectiveness in donor-facing communications and fundraising initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, public relations, or a related field.
• A minimum of 3–6 years of related professional experience and/or training.
• Preferred experience in strategic planning, content creation and management, email marketing, social media marketing, and digital storytelling.
• Advanced writing, editing, interviewing, and research skills.
• Attention to detail in written, visual, and oral communications.
• Ability to manage workload, make routine decisions, and problem-solve independently.
• Ability to work under pressure of multiple deadlines while maintaining a high degree of accuracy.
• Understanding of current and emerging digital market trends.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and ability to lead a team in digital strategy.
• Ability to work professionally and cooperatively with internal and external partners to build a collaborative work environment.
• Experience in leading content development initiatives, including developing, deploying, and optimizing a multi-channel content strategy.
• Ability to analyze large quantities of data and convey key insights to colleagues, donors, and web audiences.
• Strong computer skills.

Skills

• Effective Communication: Present effectively to large groups; communicate clearly and articulately; develop communication plans for transparency and involvement; present complex issues appropriately for target audiences; maintain communication with staff and stakeholders.
• Execution & Initiative: Drive a high-performance culture; set challenging performance goals; build buy-in among key influencers; ensure strategic initiatives are executed and communicated; foster an environment where results surpass activity and teamwork surpasses results.
• Teamwork/Interpersonal Skills: Build cohesive teams based on trust; motivate and engage employees; assess and build team morale; leverage personal networks to achieve results.
• Problem Solving/Judgment: Develop guidelines and principles; apply risk management practices; learn from mistakes; anticipate challenges and strategies; make connections among unrelated ideas.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Implement change; encourage challenging the status quo; adapt and lead during changing circumstances; address resistance to change; remain engaged throughout change management.
• Courage & Conviction: Take responsibility for outcomes; create an environment where failure is seen as a learning opportunity.
• Donor Centered: Use donor and university feedback to improve service; build performance-based relationships by identifying and meeting donor needs.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and via video conferencing.
• Frequent repetitive motions when operating computers, telephones, and standard office equipment.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer, attending meetings, or participating in events.
• Ability to travel locally, regionally, and occasionally nationally for donor visits, meetings, and university events, including walking on campus and navigating varied environments.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends to support fundraising events and donor engagement activities.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull materials over 20 pounds.