Director of Advancement Communications

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive Advancement communications and engagement strategy aligned with the College's strategic priorities, fundraising objectives, and constituent engagement goals.
• Partner across the College to strengthen relationships with alumni, donors, families, and friends through integrated, data-informed communications that advance institutional priorities.
• Lead integrated communications efforts across print, digital, social, video, and event-based platforms to strengthen alumni engagement, philanthropic support, and participation.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to Advancement leadership on communications, engagement opportunities, constituent sentiment, and messaging strategy.
• lead integrated communications efforts across print, digital, social, video, and event-based platforms to strengthen alumni engagement, philanthropic support, and participation.
• Identify opportunities to deepen constituent engagement through audience segmentation, targeted messaging, storytelling, and the effective use of data and analytics.
• Assess communications and engagement performance, monitor emerging trends, and adjust strategies to enhance effectiveness and achieve measurable outcomes.
• Ensure Advancement communications align with institutional messaging, brand standards, and the College's mission and values.
• Serve as Advancement's editor-at-large, providing strategic editorial leadership and ensuring the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of communications across the division.
• Shape and advance compelling narratives that connect alumni, donors, families, and friends to Amherst's mission, values, priorities, and impact.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree.
• Seven to ten years of progressively responsible experience in communications, marketing, engagement, or related fields, preferably within higher education or other mission-driven organizations.
• Equivalent work experience in lieu of minimum education and related experience.
• Demonstrated success developing and implementing integrated communications and engagement strategies that advance institutional priorities and effectively reach diverse audiences.
• Exceptional writing, editing, presentation, and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex ideas into clear, compelling, audience-centered communications.
• Strong understanding of communications best practices across print, digital, social, and emerging media, including the ability to assess effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Proven experience leading complex projects, managing multiple priorities, and collaborating effectively with diverse stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead communications teams, manage budgets and resources, and improve operational efficiency while maintaining high standards of quality and impact.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with the judgment, diplomacy, and relationship-building skills necessary to navigate complex organizational and communications challenges.
• Successful completion of required reference and background checks.