Assistant Director of Event Communications

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here.

Welcome to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)… a world unlike any other.  We combine learning, research, creativity, service and discovery with a commitment to inclusive excellence. Ranked by U.S. News as one of the 30 “most innovative” public universities in the country, VCU is a premier, urban, public research university home to multiple nationally ranked programs.  Here, your success is supported, and your career can thrive. VCU offers a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay and mission-driven work. To explore our benefits further, please visit https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/university-and-academic-professional-benefits/. We advance a conscientious drive to support a climate where excellence and success for all people are valued and differences are celebrated.  Together, we can be unstoppable.

The mission of VCU’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) is to maximize philanthropic support by engaging stakeholders with our institution working in partnership with all VCU schools, programs and campuses as one development and alumni relations community and implementing the best practices and efficient strategies to achieve a comprehensive development program.

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Event Communications will join the Medical Philanthropy and Alumni Relations Events team and work to support fundraising goals. The ideal candidate is passionate about philanthropy, skilled in storytelling, design and strategic communications and seeking the chance to make a meaningful impact.

As a vital member of the Medical Philanthropy and Alumni Relations (MPAR) team, within the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, you will shape the narrative and visual identity of high-profile events supporting VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center (MCCC), VCU Health (VCUH), and the VCU School of Medicine (SOM). Responsibilities include developing compelling messaging, implementing innovative communication strategies and utilizing creative tools to elevate event branding and promotion to enhance donor engagement and to drive fundraising success through fundraising events and peer-to-peer platforms, helping advance the mission of transforming lives through philanthropy.

Key Responsibilities

Event Communication Strategy:

•  Develop and execute comprehensive communication plans to promote philanthropic and fundraising events, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Write and edit engaging content for event-related materials, including email campaigns, printed collateral, invitations, news releases, social media posts, articles, impact reports and websites.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure consistent messaging and alignment with fundraising objectives.

Design and Creative Support:

•  Use design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva) to create visually appealing promotional and supporting materials, such as programs, signage, digital and print ads and digital graphics that resonate with donors and supporters.
• Collaborate with on-campus marketing and communications teams, including MCCC, DAR and VCUH, to ensure branding consistency across all event assets.
• Assist in video creation or other multimedia projects to enhance storytelling and donor impact.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with media partners for both event coverage and event sponsorships with the goal of creating promotional opportunities for interviews, magazine ads and story interviews.

Event Coordination:

• Draft event scripts, run-of-show documents, and briefing materials tailored for philanthropic audiences, including donors and sponsors.
• Support live event coverage, including social media updates, photography, and audience engagement.
• Attend and provide coverage of after-hours and weekend special events, as necessary.

Fundraising and Donor Engagement:

• Work closely with frontline fundraisers to integrate donor-centric messaging into event communications.
• Develop materials that highlight the impact of donor contributions and encourage ongoing support.
• Assist in donor stewardship efforts, including personalized thank-you messages and follow-up communications.

Performance Analysis:

• Track the performance of event communications and marketing, using analytics to optimize future strategies.
• Prepare post-event reports summarizing communications outcomes, donor engagement metrics, and fundraising impact.

Required Qualifications:

•  Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.
• Previous years of experience in communications, event management, or a related role, preferably within the nonprofit or philanthropic sector.
• Proficiency in design tools such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, or Canva. 
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills, familiarity with AP Style.
• Strong project management skills and ability to juggle multiple deadlines.
• Experience using social media platforms, email marketing tools, and analytics software (e.g., Google Analytics, Mailchimp).
• Interest in philanthropy and a genuine commitment to making a positive impact through fundraising initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff and student environment or commitment to do so as a university professional at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications:

•  3-5 years of experience in communications or event management in an academic medical center or higher education (Research I) setting or similar complex environments.
• Experience with printing and mailing vendors.
• Proficiency with web design software.
• Strong ability to self-manage and handle multiple tasks.

A resume and cover letter is required for consideration. Writing samples and/or links to portfolios are preferred but not required.

Izzy Kane
irkane@vcu.edu