Director of Advancement Communications
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Please see Special Instructions for more details.
In addition to a resume and cover letter, please submit a writing sample and/or persuasive marketing materials or case studies that you have created.
Position Information
Job Posting Number | S01308 |
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Position Title | Director of Advancement Communications |
Department | Campaign-1188 |
Job Category | Staff Posting |
Position Type | Full-Time |
Work Location | Hybrid |
Pay Type | Salaried |
Salary Range | $90,000 – $110,000 |
Compensation Practices | Experience is taken into consideration in the determination of salary offers. For more information visit https://www.wesleyan.edu/hr/handbook/compensation-practices/index.html
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Position Details | The Office of Advancement (ADV) builds lifelong relationships with alumni, parents, and friends, and engages them in support of Wesleyan’s educational mission and financial goals. Working with an alumni body of approximately 30,000 people, as well as parents of current and past students, the Advancement team fosters pride in the Wesleyan community and develops support for university initiatives through outreach activities, including development/fundraising, alumni & parent relations, and both on- and off-campus events. Consistent with a philanthropic trend seen across higher education, Wesleyan’s fundraising dollars have increased consistently over the last ten years as the number of donors has declined. Wesleyan University recently launched a $600 million comprehensive fundraising campaign, the largest in school history. While raising financial support for key University initiatives, the campaign also aims to broaden Wesleyan’s donor base and build a pipeline of donors for the future. The Director of Advancement Communications is responsible for leading a team of multi-channel marketing and communications staff. This role requires a strategic manager to lead the team in executing a comprehensive, integrated advancement communications program that increases alumni, parent, and donor engagement and builds a growing culture of philanthropy. This position requires effectiveness on both a strategic and delivery level. Partnering with colleagues across the Office of Advancement, the Director of Advancement Communications is responsible for developing, managing, and executing a comprehensive and synergetic marketing and communications plan to support Advancement’s fundraising and engagement goals, with a particular focus on retaining, acquiring, and renewing the alumni and parent donors who comprise the University’s participation base. This position supervises a staff of three that covers project management, social media, and digital marketing execution and related platforms. This position will collaborate closely with the Office of University Communications to understand and promote overall University messaging and find creative ways to shape that messaging for alumni and parent audiences, including the incorporation of campaign branding and messaging into all ADV marketing and communications materials. This position will also serve as the primary liaison and project manager for collaborative projects with the Office of University Communications. Responsibilities include:
This position is a hybrid position with on-campus and remote work schedules. Hybrid work is only considered for residents of MA, VT, NH, ME, CT, RI, or NY. (Relocation assistance to CT is available for those who qualify). |
Minimum Qualifications | Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of seven years of communication experience with a consistent increase in responsibility, including leadership and management, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Strong organizational and project management skills with an excellent ability to initiate, implement, monitor, evaluate, and advance strategic plans. Successful track record of collaborating with program directors and senior leadership on the strategic level as well as team members and colleagues toward shared goals, operating effectively on the delivery level. Exceptional communication skills, from writing and editing to presenting, to team-based problem-solving and collaborating. Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and networking skills with large groups as well as with individuals are essential. Experience developing and implementing broad-based communications that drive donor participation, alumni engagement, volunteer impact, and dollars raised. Experience managing a team; ability to inspire, mentor, motivate team performance and promote accountability. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, prioritizing multiple competing tasks and demands. Commitment to evolutionary process rather than revolutionary change. Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Demonstrated understanding of the importance of ensuring an equitable, inclusive, and diverse working environment with the ability to work as part of a diverse and collaborative team. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, CRM software (such as Salesforce Marketing Cloud), Adobe Creative Suite, and HTML code (Cascade, WordPress). Demonstrated understanding of the donor cycle, fundraising best practices, and industry trends. Familiarity with AP and Chicago style conventions. |
Preferred Qualifications | Non-profit experience with an emphasis on fundraising preferred. |
Special Instructions to Applicants | Position is open until filled. For full consideration please apply by June 7, 2024 when first review of applications will begin. In addition to a resume and cover letter, please submit a writing sample and/or persuasive marketing materials or case studies that you have created. |
Additional Information | All offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidate’s completion of a pre-employment background check screening to the satisfaction of Wesleyan University. |
Benefits | Wesleyan offers a broad range of employee benefits and development opportunities, including comprehensive group insurance plans, wellness programs and incentives, generous paid time off and retirement plans. We also offer flexible work schedules, employee and dependent tuition programs, as well as access to Wesleyan’s BLS & GLS programs for those who qualify (tuition is waived for up to 2 courses a term; some fees and taxes may apply). Detailed information on the benefits of working at Wesleyan is located at: https://wesleyan.edu/hr/careers/prospective-resources.html. |
Quick Link | https://careers.wesleyan.edu/postings/10462 |
Supplemental Questions
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Optional & Required Documents
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Writing Sample
- Work Sample