Advancement Communications Specialist

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute integrated communication plans that support broad-based giving goals, donor stewardship, alumni engagement, and fundraising priorities across email, text, direct mail, web, social media, and print.
• Partner with stakeholders to produce compelling donor-facing content including appeal letters, impact stories, campaign emails, stewardship reports, event materials, newsletter articles, and acknowledgement correspondence.
• Create and manage an annual advancement communications calendar, ensuring timely delivery of messaging across all channels and audiences.
• Build and maintain segmented donor audiences to deliver targeted, relevant messaging aligned with donor behavior, giving history, and institutional priorities.
• Develop and refine donor-facing digital journeys — including email drip sequences, giving day experiences, and onboarding communications for new donors — to increase year-over-year engagement and retention.
• Apply a test-and-learn approach to content, evaluating open rates, click-through rates, and conversion metrics to continuously improve communication effectiveness.
• Identify and cultivate compelling impact stories from students, alumni, faculty, and program outcomes to humanize Bethel’s case for support and inspire donor connection.
• Serve as the primary liaison between University Advancement and Bethel’s Marketing Division, ensuring all donor-facing content aligns with institutional brand guidelines, voice, and visual identity.
• Coordinate closely with Marketing on design and production of print and digital materials, including campaign collateral, impact reports, event invitations, and donor recognition pieces.
• Attend regular cross-divisional meetings and actively contribute to shared communication workflows, project timelines, and approval processes.
• Advise Advancement colleagues on brand-aligned messaging standards for external communications, presentations, and stakeholder correspondence.
• Coordinate with vendors, freelancers, and campus partners to support production needs related to advancement communications projects.
• Lead the development and production of meaningful stewardship communications, including personalized thank-you letters, giving reports, impact updates, and recognition pieces for donors at all levels.
• Support signature advancement events through promotional content, program materials, and post-event follow-up communications.
• Collaborate with gift officers to create personalized donor correspondence and tailored materials that support cultivation and solicitation conversations for transformational gifts.
• Partner with Advancement Operations team members in list management, segmentation, and CRM documentation for communications tracking and reporting.
• Monitor and report on the performance of communication initiatives — including email campaigns, giving day results, and stewardship touchpoints — using data to make informed recommendations.
• Develop dashboards or summaries that highlight donor engagement trends, acquisition and retention metrics, and campaign conversion rates.
• Stay current on industry best practices in advancement communications, digital fundraising, and email marketing, applying relevant innovations to Bethel’s approach

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in communications, marketing, journalism, English, public relations, or a related field - or equivalent professional experience.
• 2–3 years of professional experience in communications, marketing, content creation, or a related field.
• Experience managing multi-channel communication campaigns with attention to deadlines, brand consistency, and quality.
• Experience working with CRM systems, email marketing platforms, or content management systems.
• Exceptional eye for quality writing and storytelling, with the ability to adapt voice and tone for diverse audiences and channels.
• Ability to translate complex or technical information into compelling, accessible donor narratives.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to balance multiple high-priority projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Understanding of digital engagement tactics, online giving pathways, and email and SMS communication journeys.
• Analytical mindset with comfort interpreting engagement data to improve campaign performance.
• Visual communication sensibility; ability to partner effectively with designers to produce polished, on-brand materials.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate across teams, divisions, and with external vendors.
• Self-directed and proactive, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and professionalism.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and collaboration tools; willingness to learn Salesforce and Bethel-specific platforms.
• Travel: 5-10% out-of-town travel may be required

Benefits

• Bethel is committed to offering meaningful benefits to our employees including health insurance, retirement plans, and a generous time off package. Learn more about these offerings here.