Manager, Philanthropic Communications

Eastern Virginia Medical School • Norfolk, VA

6h • Onsite

About The Position

This role serves as the communications lead for Brock VHS Development & Alumni Relations team, translating complex academic, clinical and philanthropic initiatives into compelling visually polished materials across platforms. The position focuses on developing communication plans, designing donor facing assets, supporting stewardship efforts, maintaining philanthropic web and newsletter content, and ensuring Brock VHS philanthropy is consistently represented in the digital space. With the support of modern AI enabled tools, this position emphasizes communications strategy, presentation, and execution rather than traditional long-form writing alone.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, digital media, journalism, design or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience in communications, marketing, advancement communications, or digital engagement.
• Ability to translate complex subject matter into seventh grade level messaging.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint, and Adobe Creative Suite, Canva or like platform.
• Working knowledge of website content coordination, including preparing content for submission through centralized IT/web processes.
• Familiarity with digital communications channels, including social media and email/newsletter communications.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Comfort using AI-enabled tools to support communications development, editing, and production.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced training or coursework in digital communications, graphic design, marketing or related areas is preferred.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in communications, advancement communications, digital engagement, or related work.
• Prior experience in a complex, mission-driven organization such as higher education, academic medicine, or healthcare is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated strength in visual storytelling, design, and formatting of executive-level communications materials.
• Proficiency with design and layout tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or similar platforms.
• Familiarity with brand standards and ensuring communications are compliant with institutional messaging and visual identity guidelines.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment with senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• Experience coordinating website updates within a centralized web governance structure.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a consistent philanthropic voice and messaging framework in translating complex academic, clinical and philanthropic priorities into clear, compelling communications that resonate with donors, trustees and external stakeholders. Creates strategic communication plans that support fundraising initiatives, campaigns and engagement opportunities. In an AI enabled environment, the position emphasizes communications strategy, refinement and execution ensuring messaging is accurate, donor-centered, and aligned with institutional priorities.
• Responsible for producing high-quality donor-facing materials that advance philanthropic goals and strengthen stewardship. Works closely with development and stewardship teams to develop impact and stewardship reports, proposals, cases for support, donor briefings, and tailored campaign collaterals ensuring that final materials are persuasive, visually polished, and aligned with Brock VHS and ODU branding standards.
• Leads the development of executive-level presentations and professionally designed materials for donor, trustee, alumni, and leadership audiences. This includes creating and refining PowerPoint presentations, one-pagers, brochures, and other high-impact communication tools that clearly convey strategic priorities and philanthropic opportunities. The role applies strong visual judgement and design sensibility to ensure communications are well-structured, engaging, and reflective of institutional excellence.
• Manages day-to-day coordination of website content, ensuring information remains current, accurate, and aligned with development messaging. The position provides philanthropic web content in near-final form, including text, images, and layout direction for submission through ODU's centralized IT and web ticketing process. While the role does not involve code or direct site development, it is accountable for content readiness, quality control and timely updates related to donor engagement, philanthropic messaging, announcements, and fundraising priorities.
• Supports digital engagement efforts by coordinating social media content and departmental communications that elevate donor impact and institutional momentum. Contributes to the planning and production of the Community Focus newsletter, digital updates and targeted outreach that keep donors and stakeholders informed and connected. Collaborates with university communications partners to amplify major announcements, stewardship stories, and strategic initiatives across appropriate digital channels.
• Partners across Development, faculty leadership, ODU communications and marketing, and IT teams to ensure communication projects are delivered on time and at a consistently high standard. Manages multiple priorities simultaneously, manages organized archives of templates and key messaging, and provides quality control across donor-facing materials. Through strong coordination and attention to detail, the position ensures communications reflect professionalism, institutional alignment, and donor-centered excellence.

What This Job Offers

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