What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Director of Advancement Communications position at Lawrence University?
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT COMMUNICATIONS
REPORTS TO: Director of Advancement Communications
ABOUT US:
The Office of University Advancement advances and amplifies the mission, purposes, and goals of Lawrence University through fundraising and partnerships, volunteer leadership support, strategic marketing and communications, and alumni and community engagement.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:
As the Assistant Director of Advancement Marketing & Communications you will be responsible for the execution of a multi-channel marketing and communications strategy that contributes to the University’s alumni and donor engagement goals. Your work will capture and share the Lawrence story in engaging and broad-reaching ways. This role will support fundraising priorities to support current and future students, steward donors, and engage our 20,000 alumni; all while raising the university’s visibility and reputation as a leading liberal arts institution.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Maximize the impact of storytelling throughout the Advancement division to drive engagement and giving. Lead the development of the Advancement division’s integrated marketing and communications plan, working towards effective and coordinated alumni and donor journeys.
- Design and build email campaigns designed to drive annual fund support, event registration, and alumni affinity and connectedness.
- Expand our presence and engagement in social media: Lawrence University Alumni Facebook page (the second largest at the University), Lawrence University Alumni LinkedIn group, Lawrence University Alumni Instagram page.
- Compliment digital storytelling strategies with compelling print mail campaigns. Serve as the point person for coordinating print projects through external vendors.
2. Serve as a primary resource with AlumnIQ, our email marketing platform, as well as ThankView, our donor stewardship email and video platform.
- Be a resource for training other users. Be a consultant to campus partners to increase platform and channel effectiveness.
- Stay updated on best practices.
- Collaborate in design, content, and managing distribution of emails.
- Ensure emails align with best practices for optimal performance and accessibility.
- Provide quality assurance of email marketing efforts to ensure best practices and engagement tracking for communications across the division.
3. Serve as the content strategist for the alumni website. Assist in the creation and updating of microsites, special event sites, and other web products.
- Assists with writing, content generation, and editing expertise for the Advancement division.
- Support crowdfund initiatives with marketing and communications plans.
- Maintain the Advancement division email and event calendar, ensuring open and collaborative communication and planning amongst the various stakeholders.
- Maintain and respond to communications in the Alumni inbox with exemplary customer service and representing the University in a professional and compassionate manner.
4. Support Advancement and University events as requested or required.
- Respond to special projects and other duties as assigned.
- Some evening and weekend work is required.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
The Assistant Director will work most closely with the Advancement Team, particularly the Alumni and Community Engagement team. Additionally, the Assistant Director will work with faculty, students, and staff across campus and the University’s constituents—alumni, donors, parents, friends, and Fox Valley community members.
The Director must establish and maintain positive working relationships with other key campus offices, such as the President’s Office, University Communications, and Student Life, as well as off campus vendors for print solicitations and email marketing efforts.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
- Bachelor’s degree in related area with an appreciation for private, liberal arts, residential colleges.
- Two or more years relevant experience.
- Exceptional writing, communication, and editing skills, as well as accuracy and attention to detail.
- Familiarity with at least one major email marketing system.
- Demonstrated experience formatting letters, designing webpages, and managing social media platforms – Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram at a minimum.
- Solution oriented with a demonstrated ability to problem-solve.
- Demonstrated success in a fast-moving, multi-stakeholder environment, balancing multiple projects and priorities.
- Natural leader with outgoing attitude and interest in collaborating with colleagues.
- Creativity, willingness to learn, and a sense of humor.
- Possess exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills i.e., concise, articulate, and confident with the ability to represent the university in a professional manner.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of all aspects of job responsibilities.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:
1. Must have successful completion of criminal record check, driving record check (where applicable) and reference checks.
We encourage applications from individuals who will help us create a more inclusive Lawrence by: 1) further diversifying the staff; and/or 2) demonstrating experience with successful diversity-related initiatives; and 3) showing interest in developing inclusiveness to address the needs of a diverse student body. Lawrence University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds.
