University Advancement - Assistant Director, Advancement Communications & Creative Services

Sacred Heart University•Fairfield, CT

About The Position

Support Sacred Heart University’s mission by executing a holistic marketing and communications strategy that contributes to goals for university advancement, fundraising, and alumni engagement. Develop and create digital and print content, such as social media, highlights, and promotions for UA initiatives/events, along with collaborating with other campus partners to create unique and branded design, copy, and content for external outlets.

Requirements

3+ years of experience in marketing/communications related field.
Demonstrate essential competencies in writing, editing and crafting messaging consistent with the university’s voice and brand identity.
Understanding of how marketing efforts influence engagement and giving.
Knowledge of social media and digital marketing strategies.
Budget management experience.
Must be willing to work against tight deadlines while balancing multiple projects simultaneously.
Sound ethical decision-making skills, enthusiasm, and respect for confidential issues.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, resourceful, and accountable to schedules.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, CRM software (such as Raiser’s Edge/NXT), Adobe Creative Suite, and HTML code, email marketing platforms (such as Blackbaud Luminate)
Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing/Communications or a related field.

Nice To Haves

Talent for persuasive storytelling and the ability to use communications as a means of furthering the goals of the Office of Advancement, a plus.

Responsibilities

Design and manage a comprehensive visual identity for fundraising priorities, including campaigns, events, proposals, social media tactics, and promotional products, ensuring they are fully integrated and cohesive with the university’s overall creative direction and visual identity
Develop collaborative relationships serving University Advancement’s strategic goals through marketing and communication efforts for programming, events, engagement opportunities and alumni engagement.
Gather, create and plan content for multiple distribution channels that include, but are not limited to, branded print and e-newsletters, event collateral, web content, postcards/mailings, social media, and multimedia. Maintain strategic flow of a 12-month multi-channel marketing & communications plan and content strategy with UA. Keep and adhere to detailed project plans and timelines.
Collaborate with third party vendors and internal staff, where applicable, on strategies and design needs for the Office of Advancement, to include photography, video production, print projects, and digital communications.
Develop, manage and coordinate a strategic social media strategy that focuses on creating a strong and consistent online presence that builds engagement and increases SHU’s reputation with alumni and advancement audiences. Talent for persuasive storytelling and the ability to use communications as a means of furthering the goals of the Office of Advancement, a plus.
Assist with the implementation and execution of an engagement model that actively involves alumni and donors in the life of the University, promotes a culture of philanthropy, creates effective alumni/donor communications across multiple channels.
Serve as primary liaison for UA’s web presence. Work with the web content team to coordinate the UA website and affiliated website. Ensure it is strategic, up-to-date and measure effectiveness. Use as a tool to promote and exceed UA goals.
Appropriately utilize various fundraising technology solutions, including: Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge, NXT, Graduway, Gratavid and Luminate.
In collaboration with the alumni engagement and annual giving teams, build UA/Alumni landing, event registration and donation pages along with necessary email templates.
Other tasks as assigned.