What are the responsibilities and job description for the Communications Manager for Development and Alumni Engagement position at Tuskegee University?
The Development and Alumni Engagement, Communications Manager serves as the strategic lead for all communications related to donor, alumni, and external partner engagement within Tuskegee University’s Division of Development and Alumni Engagement. This role is responsible for creating and executing communication strategies to support fundraising goals, including developing compelling content for various channels, managing donor relationships, and building awareness of the organization’s mission. The manager will lead the development and implementation of a coordinated communications plan, oversee the use of Artificial Intelligence fundraising tools and automation systems, and collaborate with internal teams to strengthen donor engagement, alumni connections, and external visibility.
Essential Job Duties
1. Serve as the lead writer and content strategist for all donor-facing and alumni-focused communications, including acknowledgment letters, stewardship reports, solicitation pieces, donor stories, impact reports, digital campaigns, event briefings, and leadership messaging.
2. Design and implement a comprehensive communications calendar in coordination with the Vice President and fundraising and alumni engagement staff.
3. Under the supervision of the Vice President, communicate all fundraising and alumni engagement emails and related materials to alumni, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with strategic messaging.
4. Manage and optimize the use of Artificial Intelligence fundraising tools and related automation platforms; serve as the point of contact and primary manager of these systems.
5. Support the development of donor profiles and serve as the primary developer and compiler of relevant donor information in collaboration with fundraising staff.
6. Write and manage customized briefing materials for leadership and frontline fundraisers in advance of donor meetings and events.
7. Research and draft compelling fundraising materials including proposals, case statements for support, and messaging that translates complex academic and institutional content into accessible language, especially for high-level donors. Coordinate the production of these materials by incorporating feedback from multiple stakeholders and interviewing key staff as needed.
8. Collaborate with Marketing and Communications staff to align communications with university-wide strategic messages and brand identity. Work across Development and Alumni Engagement to build and manage a calendar of communications touchpoints for targeted donor and alumni audiences.
9. Work closely with the Office of the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations to develop letters, remarks, statements, speeches, and other advancement-related materials on behalf of the university president and senior leaders.
10. Provide oversight and direction for all campaign-related communications, including the campaign case statement, digital and print collateral, proposals, and web presence.
11. Partner with consultants, internal teams, and campus colleagues on special projects and communications challenges. Maintain strong working relationships across campus to source timely, strategic, and relevant information.
12. Provide editing and writing support for fundraising proposals across the Division. Collaborate with the Administration team to assess proposal-writing capacity and develop training and professional development tools for team members as needed.
13. Work closely with Donor Services staff to ensure the accuracy, personalization, and timely delivery of communications.
Qualifications (Education, Experience and Specialized Training)
Qualifications (Education, Experience, and Specialized Training)
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, English, or a related field
• Minimum of three years of demonstrated experience in a fundraising environment, preferably in the nonprofit or higher education sectors, with a strong focus on writing and donor communications
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience working directly in higher education or at an HBCU or mission-driven institution
• Familiarity with donor databases and CRM systems such as Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, or similar
• Knowledge of philanthropy-related Artificial Intelligence tools and communications automation platforms
• Experience developing communication strategies in the context of a comprehensive fundraising campaign
• Skill in crafting executive-level messaging for university leaders or high-profile stakeholders
Physical Demands
Ability to operate standard office equipment
Ability to walk short distances
Ability to lift and carry parcels, packages and other items
Ability to view a computer terminal
Skills and Attributes
Knowledge of:
• Strong understanding of donor engagement, alumni relations, and the strategic role of communications in advancing fundraising outcomes
• Commitment to Tuskegee University’s mission, values, and advancement priorities
Skills:
• Proven success in preparing high-quality fundraising communications, including comprehensive proposals and persuasive donor materials
Ability to:
• Demonstrated ability to write across multiple formats and for diverse audiences, with attention to clarity, tone, and messaging
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately
Essential Job Duties
1. Serve as the lead writer and content strategist for all donor-facing and alumni-focused communications, including acknowledgment letters, stewardship reports, solicitation pieces, donor stories, impact reports, digital campaigns, event briefings, and leadership messaging.
2. Design and implement a comprehensive communications calendar in coordination with the Vice President and fundraising and alumni engagement staff.
3. Under the supervision of the Vice President, communicate all fundraising and alumni engagement emails and related materials to alumni, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with strategic messaging.
4. Manage and optimize the use of Artificial Intelligence fundraising tools and related automation platforms; serve as the point of contact and primary manager of these systems.
5. Support the development of donor profiles and serve as the primary developer and compiler of relevant donor information in collaboration with fundraising staff.
6. Write and manage customized briefing materials for leadership and frontline fundraisers in advance of donor meetings and events.
7. Research and draft compelling fundraising materials including proposals, case statements for support, and messaging that translates complex academic and institutional content into accessible language, especially for high-level donors. Coordinate the production of these materials by incorporating feedback from multiple stakeholders and interviewing key staff as needed.
8. Collaborate with Marketing and Communications staff to align communications with university-wide strategic messages and brand identity. Work across Development and Alumni Engagement to build and manage a calendar of communications touchpoints for targeted donor and alumni audiences.
9. Work closely with the Office of the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations to develop letters, remarks, statements, speeches, and other advancement-related materials on behalf of the university president and senior leaders.
10. Provide oversight and direction for all campaign-related communications, including the campaign case statement, digital and print collateral, proposals, and web presence.
11. Partner with consultants, internal teams, and campus colleagues on special projects and communications challenges. Maintain strong working relationships across campus to source timely, strategic, and relevant information.
12. Provide editing and writing support for fundraising proposals across the Division. Collaborate with the Administration team to assess proposal-writing capacity and develop training and professional development tools for team members as needed.
13. Work closely with Donor Services staff to ensure the accuracy, personalization, and timely delivery of communications.
Qualifications (Education, Experience and Specialized Training)
Qualifications (Education, Experience, and Specialized Training)
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, English, or a related field
• Minimum of three years of demonstrated experience in a fundraising environment, preferably in the nonprofit or higher education sectors, with a strong focus on writing and donor communications
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience working directly in higher education or at an HBCU or mission-driven institution
• Familiarity with donor databases and CRM systems such as Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, or similar
• Knowledge of philanthropy-related Artificial Intelligence tools and communications automation platforms
• Experience developing communication strategies in the context of a comprehensive fundraising campaign
• Skill in crafting executive-level messaging for university leaders or high-profile stakeholders
Physical Demands
Ability to operate standard office equipment
Ability to walk short distances
Ability to lift and carry parcels, packages and other items
Ability to view a computer terminal
Skills and Attributes
Knowledge of:
• Strong understanding of donor engagement, alumni relations, and the strategic role of communications in advancing fundraising outcomes
• Commitment to Tuskegee University’s mission, values, and advancement priorities
Skills:
• Proven success in preparing high-quality fundraising communications, including comprehensive proposals and persuasive donor materials
Ability to:
• Demonstrated ability to write across multiple formats and for diverse audiences, with attention to clarity, tone, and messaging
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately
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