The Associate Director OR Director of Advancement Communications is responsible for the development and implementation of advancement-focused marketing and communication tactics that leverage the university brand and/or programs, and enhance fundraising and alumni relations efforts including, but not limited to: writing fundraising proposals and appeals, website design and management, event scripting, graphic design, and creating digital and print materials.

Duties and Responsibilities Include, but are Not Limited to:

  • Prepares digital assets, event materials, gift proposals, and other print materials for Advancement, including basic graphic design and typesetting for fundraising, engagement activities, stewardship outreach, and events.
  • Writes and designs print and online communications to highlight, recognize and solicit donors; creates donor newsletters; works with stewardship staff to prepare donor stewardship communications including routine and special thank-you letters.
  • Prepares scripts and speaker details for chancellor and other event speakers; organizes staging, photography and AV needs.
  • Establishes and cultivates collaborative relationships with the university community including alumni, donors, students, campus groups, faculty, and staff. Interviews donors, alumni, students and others for marketing/communications content and works closely with institutional communications team members to identify, pursue, write, and edit relevant fundraising and marketing materials and to facilitate campaign goals.
  • In coordination with the development directors and corporate & foundation relations staff, prepares letters of inquiry, grants, proposals, position papers, concept papers, key correspondence and proofreading in order to garner private support from corporations, foundations and individuals with major donor potential.
  • Enhances web presence and maintains both internal and external donor communications; stays current on best practices in fundraising communications and emerging platforms/tech/strategies.
  • Tracks and analyzes website statistics for optimization; measures mass solicitations analytics; provides counsel to colleagues across the university on strategy, analytics and university expectations for fundraising and donor relations.

Qualifications Include:

  • Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, communications, public relations or a related field.
  • For an:
    • Associate Director: Three (3) years (36 months) of professional work experience in marketing, public relations, communications, brand management, graphic design, or a related professional area.
    • For Director: Five (5) years (60 months) of professional work experience in marketing, public relations, communications, brand management, graphic design AND one (1) year experience working in fundraising communications or marketing.
  • Experience and ability to write compelling stories.

*Note: Master’s degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for two (2) years (12 months) of work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience writing articles and social media posts.
  • Experience in designing marketing materials including event logos and digital assets, proposals, info sheets, fliers, etc., or willingness to be trained in this area.
  • Experience working in fundraising or nonprofit communications or marketing.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
  • Exceptional proofreading and editing skills.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Knowledge of and appreciation for public higher education.

To view the full job description and the benefit program, please visit: Adv Comms public posting

Salary Ranges: Associate Director: $60,000 – $66,000; Director: $66,000 – $72,600

Apply Directly at: https://uis.csod.com/ats/careersite/jobdetails.aspx?site=1&c=uis&id=922