Assistant Director of Advancement Communications

Utica College, a small comprehensive college in Upstate New York, is seeking applications for an Assistant Director of Advancement Communications in the office of Advancement. The Assistant Director of Advancement Communications, reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Advancement/Marketing & Communications, and working closely with the Director of Annual Support Programs, will have principal responsibility for conceiving and writing the full suite of print, digital, and social media communications for all Annual Support Programs. He/she will play a leading role in designing and executing the social media strategies in support of alumni and development initiatives, including crowdfunding, giving day, and other targeted engagement activities. In addition, the Assistant Director of Advancement Communications will support the writing needs for development activities that include major gift proposals, stewardship communications, and other key print and digital communications.

In deciding whether to apply for a position at Utica College, candidates are strongly encouraged to consider the UC mission and culture to help determine their potential success at http://www.utica.edu/instadvance/marketingcomm/about/. Our Mission and Values Statement includes a commitment to fostering diversity in background,  perspective, and experience within an environment that is dedicated to the freedom of expression and the open sharing of ideas.  At UC, diversity means that we are a community that represents a range of human experience and makes conscious choices to appreciate, respect, and learn from each other. Utica College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society.

Primary responsibilities include:

Communications Planning, Creation, and Execution (60%):
Under the direction of the Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Advancement/Marketing & Communications, and in close consultation with the Director of Annual Support Programs, serve as the lead and point of contact for all print and digital communications. Working closely with all stakeholders for UC’s annual support programs, partner in the development of a comprehensive suite of direct appeals for annual unrestricted, restricted, and special purposes across all constituencies including core messaging, segmentation strategies, and the use of multiple platforms for the delivery of these fundraising appeals; Plan, execute, and assess communication suites for special fundraising projects such as a giving day or other competition-based/affinity campaigns; Assist in developing a comprehensive direct appeals calendar detailing all major appeal suites, for all purposes that provides the appropriate integration and coordination of print, digital, and social media components of all annual giving efforts; Work closely with the Executive Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship to develop a comprehensive data and reporting inventory required to meet the needs of each annual giving fundraising component through the fiscal year; Work closely with the Marketing and Communications Department on messaging, utilization of the College’s website, e-mail capabilities, and major social networking sites for the purposes of expanding the outreach to, and base of, donors.

Development Communications (20%):
Working with the Development staff, draft highly-personalized, and targeted communications such as capital and endowment gift proposals, prospectuses for specialized capital projects and initiatives targeted towards major prospective donors, and other print and digital communications in support of the moves management cycle for major, principal, and planned giving donors; Working with the Executive Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship, conceptualize and write highly personalized communications that support a strategy of intentional stewardship for the College’s most important donors. Work collaboratively to assist in digital communications and web pages that further initiatives to steward College donors at all levels.

Social Media Engagement Strategies (20%):
Working collaboratively with Marketing & Communications and the fundraising staff, develop and launch social media strategies that promote a culture of philanthropy by and between the College’s key internal and external constituents; Working collaboratively with the Constituent Relations team, develop and implement social media strategies that promote greater alumni and parent involvement through the volunteer, attend, and connect channels of engagement.