Associate Director, Direct Marketing & Participation - University Advancement

Washington University in St Louis • Clayton, MO

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Director of Direct Marketing & Participation manages the development and execution of sophisticated, omni-channel campaigns to increase alumni donor participation, build lifetime loyalty, and raise spendable dollars for WashU’s Annual Fund priorities. The role coordinates day-to-day direct marketing appeals, partners with Philanthropic Strategy to support schools and programs, and oversees faculty and staff giving. It reports to the Senior Director of Annual Giving Programs and works closely with Advancement Communications, Philanthropic Strategy, internal partners, and external vendors. The position also manages an Assistant Director responsible for premiums, the corporate matching gift program, the license plate program, and Loyalty Society data hygiene.

The role plans and coordinates direct marketing projects, maintains schedules and procedures in ClickUp, manages timelines and budgets, coordinates review and production processes, develops campaign segmentation and tracking, and supports data set finalization and testing. It develops the Loyalty Society strategy, supports school- and unit-specific Annual Fund appeals, and oversees the strategy and daily activities of faculty and staff giving, including payroll deduction and stewardship communications.

The position is based in St. Louis, Missouri, in a normal office environment. The work is typically performed seated at a desk or table using office equipment. Evening and weekend work may be necessary, and travel to on- and off-campus locations may be required. The targeted hiring range is $58,400–$66,000; the posted grade salary range is $58,400–$99,700 annually.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Three years of relevant work experience.
• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends as necessary and travel to on- and off-campus locations.

Nice To Haves

• Comfort interacting with diverse audiences and demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships.
• Ability to express empathy and provide premium customer service.
• Collaborative approach and comfort facilitating the work of teams and individuals, including peers, students, and volunteers.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including relaying detailed instructions and providing or soliciting feedback.
• Commitment to professional growth and staying informed about annual giving, higher education, and industry trends and best practices.
• Familiarity with and appreciation for University Advancement’s mission and programs.
• Interest in contributing to the university community and its commitment to education and research.
• Experience in nonprofit advancement, development, or fundraising; program or project management; or related fields such as marketing, advertising, communications, or donor relations.
• Significant experience planning and managing complex programs, projects, or marketing campaigns, including timelines, priorities, data analysis, complex reporting and data sets, cross-team coordination, vendor relationships, and organized processes and protocols.
• Knowledge of a university environment; experience in an educational or nonprofit organization is a plus.
• Experience using databases, website or online form solutions, and other software platforms.
• Familiarity with ClickUp.
• Skills listed: Alumni Relations, Analytical Thinking, Annual Giving, Business Interactions, Communication, Complex Systems, Confidentiality, Conflict Resolution, Data Metrics, Deadline Management, Detail-Oriented, Digital Direct Marketing, Direct Marketing, Effective Delegation, Management of Employees, Metrics Reporting, Microsoft Office, Nonprofit Organizations, Professional Integrity, Project Management, Receptive to Feedback, Relationship Management, Salesforce, Vendor Management, and Workday.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate a large volume and variety of direct marketing projects in collaboration with Advancement Communications.
• Maintain the direct marketing schedule, tasks, timelines, and standard operating procedures in ClickUp.
• Coordinate projects to ensure completion on time and within budget, including managing vendor relationships and communications as appropriate.
• Facilitate proofing, editing, review, approval, and production processes for appeals.
• Develop campaign segmentation strategies and data variables; identify, document, and track testing factors.
• Build campaign workbooks organized by appeal versions and audience segments.
• Support data set finalization, merge proofing, testing, and resolution of data-related issues.
• Build campaigns and source codes so appeals can be tracked and analyzed.
• Coordinate with data analysts on segmentation, variables, and ask strings; ensure form links and QR codes are requested, created, and functioning.
• Secure final approval for Annual Giving appeals and manage the send process for mass-email communications in partnership with Advancement Communications.
• Develop and implement the Loyalty Society strategy to support donor retention across giving levels.
• Work with the Assistant Director and Data Analyst to maintain clean Loyalty Society data.
• Support execution of school- and unit-specific Annual Fund appeals and project requests in accordance with standard operating procedures.
• Oversee strategy development and day-to-day activities for faculty and staff giving.
• Develop communications to engage and solicit WashU staff and faculty; coordinate payroll deduction retention, renewal, and acquisition efforts and plan stewardship touches and benefits communications.
• Work with the Executive Director and Senior Director on additional support needed to meet donor participation goals.
• Manage the Assistant Director responsible for premiums, the corporate matching gift program, the license plate program, and Loyalty Society data hygiene.

Benefits

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays or coinsurance.
• Free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• Defined contribution 403(b) retirement savings plan, with employee and university contributions starting at 7% for eligible employees.
• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program, financial resources, and access to dietitians.
• Four weeks of caregiver leave to bond with a new child and family care resources.
• Tuition coverage for employees and family members, including dependent undergraduate tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior