Assist Dir of Advancement Comms & Content

Responsibilities

• Content Development and Storytelling - Develop compelling content supporting Merrimack’s fundraising, alumni engagement, donor relations, stewardship and campaign priorities. - Write and edit stories featuring students, alumni, donors, faculty, research, career outcomes, athletics, mission and community impact. - Identify stories that showcase meaningful student and alumni outcomes and connect those outcomes to donor investment and College priorities. - Interview students, alumni, donors, faculty, staff and College leaders to develop authentic and engaging stories. - Translate institutional priorities, programs, data and outcomes into clear, audience-focused communications. - Adapt content for use across email, web, social media, publications and other Advancement channels.
• Campaign, Donor and Alumni Communications - Support communications and marketing for Merrimack College’s comprehensive fundraising campaign, Together We Rise. - Develop campaign stories, donor communications, digital content, presentations and other materials based on established campaign strategy and messaging. - Support communications surrounding campaign priorities, leadership gifts, milestones, announcements and celebrations. - Develop donor-centered communications that demonstrate philanthropic impact and inspire continued engagement and investment. - Create content that strengthens alumni connection to Merrimack and encourages deeper engagement, volunteer involvement and philanthropy. - Ensure campaign, donor and alumni communications are accurate, audience-focused and consistent with Merrimack’s voice and brand.
• Digital, Social and Publications - Develop digital and social content that demonstrates philanthropic impact, showcases student and alumni success and outcomes, celebrates donors and alumni, and advances fundraising and campaign priorities. - Write and produce Advancement email and web content for alumni, donors, parents, prospects and other constituent audiences. - Create and manage content for the Office of Development and Alumni Relations social media platforms. - Repurpose long-form stories and other Advancement content across digital channels. - Support the planning, writing and manage the production of Advancement publications, including the quarterly Merrimack Magazine. - Coordinate interviews, photography, video and other creative assets needed to support Advancement content. - Monitor content performance and help identify opportunities to strengthen audience engagement.
• Event Communications and Project Management - Develop communications and materials supporting campaign events, donor gatherings, alumni programs and other Advancement events. - Produce invitations, programs, presentations, scripts, signage, web content and pre- and post-event communications. - Support storytelling and messaging that reinforce fundraising, campaign and alumni engagement priorities. - Help implement the Advancement editorial and communications calendar. - Manage multiple content projects, approvals and deadlines to ensure high-quality and timely execution. - Maintain organized libraries of stories, testimonials, photography, data, campaign proof points and donor-impact content.
• Collaboration - Work closely with the Associate Vice President for Advancement Communications, Marketing and Campaign Director to execute Advancement communications, marketing and campaign strategies. - Collaborate with colleagues across Development, Alumni Relations, Advancement Services and other College departments to identify and develop compelling stories and content. - Partner with communications, marketing, digital and creative teams across the College to ensure coordination and consistency with institutional brand standards. - Work with photographers, videographers, designers, freelancers and other external partners as needed. - Contribute to a collaborative, creative and highly responsive Advancement culture.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, English or a related field.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of professional experience in communications, content development, marketing, journalism, public relations, advancement communications or a related area.
• Exceptional writing, editing and storytelling skills across a variety of audiences, formats and channels.
• Strong interviewing and research skills and the ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging content.
• Experience developing digital, email, web and social media content.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail, accuracy and quality.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and levels of an organization.
• Sound judgment and discretion when working with donors, alumni, students and sensitive information.

Preferred

• Experience in higher education, advancement, nonprofit communications or a mission-driven organization preferred.
• Familiarity with content management systems, email marketing platforms, social media tools and basic analytics preferred.
• Experience working with photography, video, publications or creative production partners is a plus.