REPORTS TO: Director of Advancement Communications
ABOUT US:
The Advancement Team connects alumni and friends with Lawrence University’s mission by
- Investing in relationships,
- Matching donor and volunteer passions with university priorities, and
- Demonstrating the impact of philanthropy and volunteer engagement on our students and their Lawrence experience
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:
As the Assistant Director of Advancement Communications you will be responsible for the execution of a multi-channel marketing and communications plan that contributes to the University’s alumni and donor engagement goals. Your work will capture and share the Lawrence story in engaging and broad-reaching ways. This role will support fundraising priorities to support current and future students, steward donors, and engage our 20,000+ alumni – all while contributing to the university’s visibility and reputation as a leading liberal arts institution.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Support the Advancement division’s integrated marketing and communications efforts by contributing to alumni and donor engagement through compelling storytelling across multiple channels.
- Execute email campaigns designed to drive annual fund support, event registration, and alumni affinity and connectedness.
- Manage and grow our social media presence and engagement across the Lawrence University Alumni Facebook page, LinkedIn group, and Instagram page — including developing a strategic social media content calendar and designing visually compelling posts using Canva.
- Support digital storytelling strategies with print mail campaigns, coordinating print projects through external vendors.
Serve as a primary resource with AlumnIQ, our email marketing platform, as well as ThankView, our donor stewardship email and video platform.
- Serve as a campus consultant, training other platform users to increase platform and channel effectiveness.
- Stay updated on best practices.
- Collaborate in design, content, and managing distribution of emails.
- Ensure emails align with best practices for optimal performance and accessibility.
- Provide quality assurance of email marketing efforts to ensure best practices and engagement tracking for communications across the division.
Serve as a content contributor and coordinator for the alumni website. Assist in the creation and updating of microsites, special event sites, and other web products.
Assist with writing, content generation, and editing expertise for the Advancement division.
Support crowdfund initiatives with marketing and communications plans.
Maintain the Advancement division email and event calendar, ensuring open and collaborative communication and planning amongst the various stakeholders.
Maintain and respond to communications in the Alumni inbox with exemplary customer service and representing the University in a professional and compassionate manner.
Support Advancement and University events as requested or required.
Respond to special projects and other duties as assigned.
Some evening and weekend work is required.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
The Assistant Director will work most closely with the Advancement Team, particularly the Alumni and Community Engagement team. Additionally, the Assistant Director will work with faculty, students, and staff across campus and the University’s constituents—alumni, donors, parents, friends, and Fox Valley community members.
The Assistant Director must establish and maintain positive working relationships with other key campus offices, such as Athletics, University Communications and Student Life, as well as off campus vendors for print solicitations and email marketing efforts.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
- Bachelor’s degree in related area with an appreciation for private, liberal arts, residential colleges.
- Two or more years relevant experience.
- Exceptional writing, communication, and editing skills, as well as accuracy and attention to detail.
- The ideal candidate will bring both copywriting and graphic design skills with the ability to create polished, on-brand digital content for social media and email.
- Familiarity with at least one major email marketing system.
- Demonstrated experience formatting letters, designing webpages, and managing social media platforms – Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram at a minimum.
- Solution oriented with a demonstrated ability to problem-solve.
- Demonstrated success in a fast-moving, multi-stakeholder environment, balancing multiple projects and priorities.
- Collaborative team player with a proactive attitude.
- Creativity, willingness to learn, and a sense of humor.
- Possess exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills i.e., concise, articulate, and confident with the ability to represent the university in a professional manner.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of all aspects of job responsibilities.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:
Must have successful completion of criminal record check, driving record check (where applicable) and reference checks.
