Director of Advancement Communications

Director of Advancement Communications
Department
The Division of University Advancement provides leadership in two significant ways that support the University in fulfilling her mission, aims, and goals. The first is the engagement of her alumni, parents, friends and corporate, foundation and organizational partners while the second focus is raising philanthropic support from these constituents. Both foci are necessary, critical, and interdependent. The result is a stronger university positioned to fulfill annual and on-going priorities.

Position Summary
The Director of Communications for University Advancement oversees all publication development, collateral creation, and shapes overall messaging for the Division, focusing on creating narratives that demonstrate the impact of philanthropy on the University. Additionally, the Director will participate with others in the creation of a communications plan for the University’s next comprehensive campaign, extending to the execution of all collateral (both print and digital) for the campaign.

Other responsibilities include close coordination with the Annual Fund, Alumni Engagement, and Advancement Events teams in creating appeals and other communications vehicles, providing strategic counsel to maximize philanthropy via online and social promotion for colleagues in central Advancement, (and extending to our school-based advancement directors / deans), and managing crisis communications for the Division, (this work will always be coordinated with the University’s Marketing and Communications division and lead communications officials).
Responsibilities

• Working with AVP, leadership team, and key stakeholders both within Advancement and across the schools of the University, develop and refine an overall communications plan (including donor stewardship communications in collaboration with the Director of Stewardship) for the Division and foster through all vehicles a distinctive “voice” around the impact of philanthropy on the life and programs of Catholic University. Serve as the driving creative force behind all the University’s communications with donors.
• Develop and execute the messaging and collateral for the University’s comprehensive campaign, which includes crafting a campaign communications plan, working with stakeholders on the marketing language and tone used to describe the campaign’s priorities and impact, and leading the execution of collateral pieces, (print and digital / video) throughout the campaign.
• Serve as the editorial voice for leadership regarding messages, speeches, or other forms of written communication regarding philanthropy and the University. The position will also manage the work of an Associate Director / Development Writer, a position that will be producing a substantial volume of written communication for the Division and leadership. The lead role in shaping a philanthropic editorial voice extends to crafting of campaign communications vehicles such as case statements.
• Manage the work of the Associate Director of Digital Content (this position oversees day-to-day management of the website, social media, and some video production related to the Annual Fund and major Advancement events), and of the Assistant Director of Digital Content.
• In partnership with the Associate Director, serve as strategic counsel in leveraging web / digital presence, social media, and crowd-funding or other techniques to spur greater online giving participation, working in concert with the Annual Fund and Constituent Engagement teams, school-based development directors, and other internal constituents.
• Write, edit, and plan content for key Advancement / Campaign communications vehicles, including but not limited to: Advancement content in CatholicU Magazine, collateral material for programs within Advancement, solicitation content, web content, and school-based content that supports philanthropic activity.
• Manage the work of freelance writers and other communications vendors (like graphic designers, photographers, and printers) on behalf of the Division.
• Serve as the liaison between the Division and the Office of Marketing and Communications for the University. Coordinate with this Office on all public announcements concerning philanthropy and on crisis communication issues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. Two (2) to four (4) years of experience working in a communications or marketing role within a higher education institution. Relevant education can supplement years of experience.
• Direct experience working with a variety of communications tools and projects. Excellent writing and editing skills. Working knowledge of Google suite of applications. Proficient with Microsoft and Adobe Photoshop. Photography, videography, and graphic design proficiencies preferred, but not required.
• Ability to drive a motor vehicle (campus or non-campus) on behalf of University business. Possession of current and valid U.S. driver’s license appropriate to the type of university vehicle and an acceptable Motor Vehicle Driving Record (MVR) as stipulated in the Vehicle Guidelines and Procedure Manual administered through the office of Environmental Health and Safety.

For inquiries, please contact Mission Advantage Recruiting c/o Will Panagakos: [email protected]
Oxenham Group