Associate Director of Advancement Communications and Marketing

Harvey Mudd College•Claremont, CA

24d•$78,000 - $85,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director of Advancement Communications and Marketing (Associate Director ACM) initiates, researches and produces content for projects that span a variety of advancement and alumni marketing campaigns and media, including print collateral, presentations, speeches, emails, ads, promotional materials, events, social media, videos and websites. Focus is on supporting the College’s long-term advancement objectives, including increasing private support and strengthening Harvey Mudd’s global visibility as well as providing communications and marketing support for the College’s comprehensive fundraising campaign. The Associate Director ACM is an exemplary writer and collaborative strategist who thrives on building consensus and maintaining positive working relationships. The individual has demonstrated expertise in developing creative, multi-channel material from idea to execution and thinks strategically about how to communicate with various audiences to accomplish key strategic priorities. Working independently and under limited direction, the Associate Director ACM works collaboratively within Advancement and across the College to achieve shared goals. The ideal candidate is an original thinker, inquisitive and enjoys solving complex communications and marketing problems in collaboration with specialists in design, photography, video and interactive media. The Associate Director ACM understands the power of storytelling and knows how to bring an idea to life on the page, on the screen or in a live event setting.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, English or a related ﬁled, or a combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities of the position.
Seven or more years of experience in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations or media relations, preferably in a higher education or nonproﬁt environment.
Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and driving record acceptable to the College’s automobile insurance carrier.
Individuals must possess knowledge, skills and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed using some other combination of skills and abilities.
Demonstrated expertise producing editorial content and adjusting tone and message for all manner of collateral and deliverables, print and digital, across a wide variety of audiences.
Exceptional verbal, written and creative visual communications skills that include an understanding of the importance of language, voice and story and how they ﬁt into marketing strategy.
Superior proofreading, editing, interviewing and writing skills, including the ability to write and edit persuasive copy that inspires and promotes philanthropy while tailoring to a variety of individual styles.
Demonstrated expertise in writing for interactive media, including Web and social media channels.
Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while paying attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability to be self-directed and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Research and analytical skills.
Ability to use multiple software programs, including Microsoft Ofﬁce applications, and to work in a Macintosh environment.
Strong computer/database skills, preferably with CRMs and spreadsheets.
Comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of communications, publications, media and/or marketing in order to execute the College’s integrated marketing and communications strategy across various channels.
Excellent customer service and public relations skills.
Expert networking and interpersonal skills, including strong consultative skills to work with internal and external constituents.
Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with others and conduct interviews with varied constituents, including faculty, staff, students and donors.
Demonstrated success working in a team environment and forming positive, effective working relationships.

Nice To Haves

Experience in advancement or development communications is preferred, particularly an understanding of the donor cultivation/stewardship cycle and campaign messaging.

Responsibilities

Serves as the primary point of contact and collaborates with Advancement Division staff, including Annual Giving, Stewardship/Events, Development, Planned Giving, Constituent Engagement, and other campus divisions, to create compelling and persuasive copy for fundraising and communications materials to inform and inspire current and prospective funding partners and to advance private support of the College through strategic and on-brand messaging.
Conceives, researches and develops written and multimedia content covering a range of subjects related to the College for print, web, video, and social platforms, targeting various audiences.
Works closely with the Senior Director of Communications/Senior Editor to write compelling content for Mudd Magazine.
Works closely with the Associate Director of Communications and Marketing and the Director of Public Relations to provide multimedia content for social media and websites.
Works closely with the Website Manager/Developer to regularly audit and update Advancement web page content in partnership with Advancement Division content editors.
Regularly monitors, tracks and reports on the performance of campaigns and initiatives using data to pivot strategies and optimize donor engagement.
Develops comprehensive event collateral—including detailed runs of show, executive briefing pre-reads, and discussion prompts—then synthesizes post-event data into impact reports that demonstrate philanthropic value.
Ensures consistency with messaging, theme, brand, design and content by helping develop and update the College’s editorial guidelines and standards.
Works effectively as a member of the Advancement team by helping staff think strategically and purposefully about messaging and branding as a reflection of the College.
Develops collaborative relationships within the department and across campus.
Maintains and extends professional competencies and effectiveness through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts, attending professional development courses and attending training and/or courses.
Contributes to the overall success of the College by performing these duties in a manner consistent with the mission, goals and stated values of Harvey Mudd College.
Performs all other essential duties as assigned