Director of Advancement Communications

Responsibilities

• Lead Advancement’s editorial planning and execution, developing and implementing an annual communications strategy in collaboration with the Managing Director and evaluating and adjusting priorities as needed.
• Monitor data and performance metrics to assess communication effectiveness, translate performance insights into recommendations and adjust strategies accordingly.
• Stay informed on best practices in advancement marketing and communications to keep strategies innovative and effective.
• Write, edit and manage content for print and digital platforms, including alumni publications, donor and alumni newsletters, solicitations, stewardship materials, web content and social media.
• Lead social media content strategy for the Alumni Association’s social media channels, working with the Office of Marketing and Communications to align messaging, plan strategic content and track engagement metrics.
• Support communication efforts for fundraising campaigns, conducting research and writing compelling cases for support, proposals and campaign messaging across digital and print channels.
• Collaborate with division colleagues and campus communicators to align messaging with Advancement and university branding.
• Conduct, transcribe, and draft interviews with students, faculty, and alumni for print and social media use.
• Oversee Advancement’s comprehensive calendar, proactively identifying content gaps, storytelling opportunities and priorities to ensure consistency, strategic timing and alignment with campaign, fundraising, stewardship and alumni engagement objectives.
• Assist in coordinating alumni and donor-related content for UMSL Magazine and manage outreach for alumni featured in Class Notes.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 4 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, public relations or a related field.
• Four or more years of professional experience in communications.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills with the ability to craft compelling messaging for varied audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to lead editorial planning and manage multiple communications priorities from concept through completion.
• Experience with social media management and digital engagement strategies.
• Excellent interviewing, presentation, verbal communication and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Experience in development and alumni communications preferred.
• A higher education or nonprofit communications background, especially fundraising campaigns, is preferred.
• Strong understanding of alumni engagement and advancement principles.

Benefits

• This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses.