Job Description
Job Description
JOB TITLE : Donor & Alumni Communications Officer
DEPARTMENT : Development & Alumni Relations
REPORTS TO : Director of Development Operations
UNIVERSITY MISSION : Rochester University prepares students for professional and personal success as they serve in God's world.
POSITION SUMMARY : The Development and Alumni Communications Officer is responsible for creating and managing communication strategies that effectively engage donors, alumni, and stakeholders with the mission and initiatives of Rochester Christian University. This role ensures consistent, compelling messaging to inspire philanthropy, strengthen alumni relationships, and highlight the impact of giving.
EDUCATION AND / OR EXPERIENCE REQUIRED :
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, business, nonprofit management, or a related field.
- Two or more years in donor relations, alumni engagement, event planning, or related experience in a nonprofit or educational setting.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :
Content Creation and Management
Write and design high-quality content, including donor newsletters, invitations and event programs, alumni magazines, alumni spotlights, impact reports, social media posts, and email campaigns.Produce donor acknowledgment materials, including thank-you letters, recognition programs, and personalized impact stories.Digital and Social Media Engagement
Manage social media channels for the Development and Alumni Relations department, creating posts that celebrate donors, highlight alumni achievements, and promote fundraising campaigns.Collaborate with the university marketing team to update the alumni and donor sections of the university’s website, ensuring engaging and current content.Analyze engagement metrics for digital campaigns and recommend strategies for improvement.Event Communications
Develop promotional materials for donor and alumni events, including invitations, programs, and follow-up communications.Work closely with Development team to ensure messaging aligns with the university’s brand and mission.Assist in the execution of Development and Alumni events as assigned.Collaboration and Support
Coordinate with Marketing and Communications Department for various web, socials, and print projects, as directed. Plan, coordinate, implement, and finalize projects according to the needs and established deadlines.Create communication plans including, but not limited to social media, emails, donor letters and yearly mailers.Partner with the Director of Development Operations to align communication strategies with fundraising goals.Collaborate with the Alumni Association Board to craft messages that resonate with alumni audiences.Support major gift and planned giving officers with custom communication tools to engage prospective donors.Stewardship and Recognition
Create and manage materials that recognize donors, including annual donor reports and President’s Circle of Honor publications.Share stories of donor and scholarship impact, ensuring contributors see the difference their gifts make in students’ lives.Comply with all Rochester Christian University policies and procedures including but not limited to solicitation and acceptance of gifts, alumni policies and naming policies.Promote an inclusive Rochester through demonstration of our Diversity Statement. Participate in developmental activities to increase understanding and awareness of issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion both individually and as related to my field of work, profession or discipline.REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES :
Excellent writing and communication skills (emails, newsletters, social media, magazine, etc.)Basic understanding and interest in alumni relations' best practices and general operations.Experience in a higher education alumni relations or non-profit environment preferred.Exceptional organizational skills.Self-starter that can work individually or in a team environment.A basic understanding of a CRM database (Raiser’s Edge NXT) and / or other software to retrieve and analyze data.Basic understanding and knowledge of photography and videography.Experience with various software systems including Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, Canva, etc.Experience managing social media accounts and an understanding of the target audiences for each platform.Willingness to learn and develop new skills.Supportive of the University mission. Indicators of this support include a demonstrated personal faith in Jesus Christ and being active in a local church.PREFERRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES :
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships and engage diverse audiencesHigher education or nonprofit fundraising experience.Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities.Proficiency in CRM systems (Raiser’s Edge preferred), Microsoft Office, and social media platforms.A passion for higher education and commitment to the mission of Rochester Christian University.
