Advancement Communications Manager

Life University•Marietta, GA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Advancement Communications Manager is a strategic member of Life University’s Office of Advancement, responsible for developing and executing communications that support the department and advance the University’s philanthropic priorities. The role produces engaging, informative content across print, web, email and social media, using communication best practices to increase constituent engagement, promote philanthropic investment and elevate the visibility and impact of Advancement programs and initiatives. The manager collaborates with Development, Alumni & Friends, LIFEforce and University Marketing to align communications with institutional priorities and Advancement’s fundraising, stewardship and engagement objectives. The position develops comprehensive communications strategies, annual plans, editorial calendars and messaging frameworks for Advancement initiatives, campaigns, events and engagement efforts. It creates and delivers segmented communications for donors, prospective donors, alumni, friends and other stakeholders, including email campaigns, newsletters, donor-centric giving campaign communications, stewardship materials, alumni stories and institutional messaging. The manager oversees Advancement communications quality and brand alignment, maintains Advancement-related website content, reports on communications effectiveness, and administers project management software for communications initiatives. The role also supports Alumni & Friends social media channels and serves as Executive Assistant to the Vice President of University Advancement and the Associate Vice President of Development, Research and Innovation for a maximum of 10 hours per week. The role requires adaptability, a strategic mindset, strong written and verbal communication, confidentiality, professionalism, collaboration and customer service. Work is performed in an executive office environment and requires use of standard office equipment and the ability to perform the physical activities described in the posting. Overtime may be required during peak periods, including four or more weekend days per year.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, English or a related field from an accredited institution, or similar.
At least two to three years of experience in a nonprofit, education, fundraising or communications setting.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Proven interpersonal skills and experience providing administrative support in a high-profile environment with tact and diplomacy.
Experience managing multiple deadlines and working with minimal supervision.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding donor, constituent and institutional information.
Ability to operate standard business office equipment.
Ability to lift up to 25 pounds and perform the listed physical activities, including retrieving and placing materials on shelves, standing, walking, carrying, grasping, hearing, seeing, sitting, kneeling, climbing, balancing, stooping, crouching and reaching.
Availability for overtime during peak periods, including four or more weekend days per year, may be required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in business, higher education or a related field.
Experience with Blackbaud, Raiser’s Edge NXT, NetCommunity, Monday.com, Canva, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook), M365 Copilot or other Advancement- and stewardship-focused CRM platforms and comparable tools.
Three to five years of experience in a nonprofit, education, fundraising or communications setting preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement an Advancement communications strategy aligned with University fundraising, alumni engagement and institutional priorities.
Create annual communications plans, editorial calendars and messaging frameworks for Advancement initiatives, campaigns, events and engagement efforts.
Serve as the primary communications strategist for the Office of Advancement and liaison with the Marketing Department.
Work with the Office of Advancement, including the Vice President of University Advancement, to develop and implement communications for donors, alumni, friends and key University stakeholders.
Segment audiences and create and execute email campaigns, newsletters and other Advancement communications using Raiser’s Edge NXT.
Build and format Office of Advancement communications to ensure alignment with Life University Marketing brand standards.
Develop donor-centric communications supporting annual giving, planned giving and capital campaigns.
Partner with Advancement colleagues on campaign communications, case statements, donor proposals, stewardship reports and impact communications.
Partner with Alumni & Friends to create communications that build engagement and relationships with alumni and supporters.
Develop segmented newsletters highlighting alumni achievements, constituent success stories and institutional impact, using content provided by Alumni & Friends.
Write and edit institutional philanthropy messaging on behalf of the Office of University Advancement.
Provide editorial review and quality assurance to ensure adherence to AP style, brand standards and institutional messaging.
Develop and maintain Advancement-related website content on alumni.life.edu through Blackbaud’s NetCommunity, in partnership with Advancement and University Marketing.
Use data analytics to report on the effectiveness of internal and external Advancement communications.
Administer project management software, such as Monday.com, for Office of Advancement communications initiatives.
Support the Alumni & Friends Department’s social media channels.
Monitor industry trends and higher education advancement best practices to improve communications effectiveness and constituent engagement.
Serve as Executive Assistant to the Vice President of University Advancement and the Associate Vice President of Development, Research and Innovation for a maximum of 10 hours per week.
Adjust to new projects and work in a fast-paced environment involving digital and physical campaigns.
Assist with special projects and initiatives as needed.
Represent the Office of University Advancement professionally and support a collaborative, service-oriented culture.
Maintain confidentiality regarding donor, constituent and institutional information; demonstrate inclusive, respectful and student-centered behavior.
Respond to customer needs and deliver work products and services in a manner that reflects positively on the department and University.
Maintain a neat, clean and professional appearance as directed by University policy.
Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.