Annual Giving Communications Manager

Santa Clara University • Santa Clara, CA

3d • $37 - $45 • Hybrid

About The Position

Santa Clara University is a comprehensive Jesuit, Catholic university located in California's Silicon Valley, offering its 9,000 students rigorous undergraduate curricula in arts and sciences, business, and engineering, plus master's, Ph.D., and law degrees. Ranked among the top 15 percent of universities nationwide by U.S. News and World Report, Santa Clara University is California’s oldest operating institution of higher education. The University is focused on creating an academic community that educates citizens and leaders who will build a more just, humane, and sustainable world. University Relations builds Santa Clara University’s excellence and character by strengthening relations with alumni, parents, and friends of the University, raising public awareness, and increasing private philanthropy. The development division has been recognized with the CASE Educational Fundraising Award, an honor given each year to superior fundraising programs at educational institutions across the country. The Annual Giving Communications Manager is a member of Direct Appeals and the wider Annual Giving team, which oversees the strategy, planning, implementation, and management of mass solicitations of Santa Clara University's alumni, parents, and friends. Direct Appeals is responsible for the collaborative and strategic delivery of annual giving communications across different channels, including mail, email, text, and video. The team works with numerous partners across campus and the Development office to produce both cyclical and as-needed appeals based on the parameters established by said partners. Direct Appeals is a driving force in the efforts to increase SCU's alumni participation and annual giving rates. The role of the Annual Giving Communications Manager is to assist in providing guidance, data analysis, and production management to fundraisers and campus partners, as well as overall project management for the department throughout the fiscal year. This position reports to the Director of Annual Giving Strategies and works in close coordination with other University Relations staff and External Relations directors throughout the University. This position also serves as the point-person for the Development website, co-manages Day of Giving (Santa Clara’s largest fundraising event), and participates in efforts that may involve new processes, tools and cutting-edge technologies related to appeals. The Annual Giving Communications Manager is a vital contributor to the successful implementation of all mass appeal efforts and takes responsibility for coordinating frequent reporting on results of our fundraising appeals to the Executive Director of Annual Giving. The Annual Giving Communications Manager must be proactive in working with clients and vendors, anticipating problems that may arise and quickly and independently resolve unforeseen problems along the way. Project management may involve start-to-finish execution of given projects or coordination and oversight of a defined aspect of a project, depending on fundraising needs. This position is eligible for a flexible work schedule: hybrid - work from office and home.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience in project management.
• Experience providing exemplary customer service to internal and external clients.
• Understanding and appreciation of the vision and values of a Jesuit Catholic educational mission.
• Proficiency and experience in Microsoft Office products, spreadsheets, Google products (i.e. Google docs, Gmail, etc.), CRM/BBIS database, HTML email template build, basic HTML knowledge, and an ability and willingness to learn new software if needed.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat’s editing features, and T-4 or other web development programs.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills are required.
• Editing, proofreading, and basic copywriting skills are essential.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate, build alliances, and achieve results.
• Must be detail-oriented, analytical, and have outstanding organizational skills.
• Ability to adapt quickly and a willingness to learn new systems and tools.
• Ability to motivate, build long-term relationships with, and gain the respect of internal and external colleagues.
• Ability to foster an inclusive work environment that invites engagement and mutual professional and personal growth.
• Ability to be diplomatic and sensitive, especially under demanding and time-sensitive circumstances.
• Ability to manage time and workload to multitask and achieve goals in a deadline-driven environment while maintaining a strong attention to detail.
• Show initiative when resolving issues, with consideration given to improving existing procedures, best practices, and an eye for streamlining existing procedures.
• Must use good judgment and treat confidential and sensitive information with care and discretion.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic team environment.
• Ability to develop project management systems and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Must be detail-oriented, analytical, and have outstanding organizational skills.
• Bachelor's Degree required.
• One to three years of experience in project management or coordinator function, preferably in a fundraising or sales environment.
• Valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

• Experience writing and/or editing marketing materials.
• Experience in Asana or other project management software.
• Experience in maintaining website information and video editing is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Director of Annual Giving Strategies, development colleagues, and others across campus to assist in the execution of a yearly strategic solicitation calendar, including production and distribution tasks for each project.
• Assist with updates to the production schedule, keeping a master calendar for Direct Appeal, and ensure samples of all solicitations are documented in a timely fashion.
• Coordinate with the Alumni Relations Office for scheduling solicitations and other Development-related emails on the master Alumni Email online calendar.
• Assist in the intake of direct mail requests from campus partners.
• Submit database requests to the database system administrator and follow appropriate procedures to produce mail and email lists.
• Manage data query projects with the database team to ensure accuracy of lists.
• Generate and maintain the Development Office's website and coordinate with web staff from the Office of Marketing and Communications, as well as Development office content contributors.
• Web updates include content acquisition, making updates using the University's content management tool (Terminal 4, or T4), and ensuring online giving forms are up-to-date.
• Oversee digital fundraising channels, most prominently the Day of Giving website.
• Coordinate content for campus partner pages, manage the ambassador program, and aid in the strategy of events and challenges for Day of Giving.
• Manage CLARA (SCU'S CRM database) data requests for campus partners.
• Create electronic data files of mailing lists for annual giving and campus partners' communications.
• Review appeal copy for style, accuracy, grammar, spelling and punctuation, and prepare for publication.
• Coordinate mailings with print vendors, mail houses, campus mail services and postal authorities.
• Proof detailed data for personalization and verification for personalized mailings, as needed.
• Assist with simple video editing needs (clipping, splicing, adding lower-thirds, etc.) to help support our video outreach.
• Assist the Director Annual Giving Strategies in building and scheduling emails, and other online communications.
• Work with Reunion Giving team to coordinate direct mail and email solicitations for 11 reunion classes.
• Assist in the execution of special campaigns with web, online giving and mailing production support.
• Track and report results, and provide analysis of appeal strategy.
• Identify process improvement and implement solutions.
• Coordinate competitive price comparisons for service, working within budget specifications.
• Manage the Direct Appeal budget for specific projects (Schools/centers, etc.)
• Perform other responsibilities, as needed, to support the Development Department and University initiatives, including support of all Santa Clara Fund and University Relations events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Santa Clara University offers a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees with programs and resources designed to promote and sustain personal health care, well-being, and the financial objectives of our employees and families.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees