Executive Director of Advancement Marketing and Communications

Lexington, VA (On-site)

Salary Not AvailableDirector/Executive7+ years expFull time

Posted 2 months ago

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Job Summary

Own the strategic marketing and communications agenda for University Advancement, shaping donor storytelling and multi-channel campaigns to advance fundraising goals and engagement.

  • Integrated strategy and messaging: align branding, platforms, and stories with institutional priorities.
  • Team and partner leadership: mentor staff and manage external agencies while coordinating with Communications and Public Affairs.
  • Measurement and storytelling: develop KPIs, track impact, and translate data into donor-focused narratives.

Job Description

  • Leads integrated advancement marketing and communications strategies aligned with institutional priorities that advance fundraising goals and deepen engagement.
  • Serves as primary strategist and liaison between University Advancement and Communications and Public Affairs to ensure consistent advancement messaging, brand alignment, and coordination across platforms.
  • Leads storytelling efforts that elevate donor impact, alumni achievement, and institutional priorities.
  • Develops annual advancement marketing plans that deliver cohesive themes and messages across all channels including maintenance of a division-wide marketing and communications calendar.
  • Establishes and tracks key performance indicators to measure impact and effectiveness to support data informed decisions.
  • Oversees University Advancement web content and social media strategy, coordinating closely with University Communications and Public Affairs.
  • Uses CRM systems and analytics to segment audiences, personalize outreach, measure engagement, and continuously improve communication strategies.
  • Supports University Advancement events through strategic messaging, promotion, and targeted communications while ensuring event materials reinforce campaign priorities, engagement goals, and institutional identity.
  • Convenes and leads University Advancement marketing and communications working group to coordinate work across the division, drive strategy, monitor results, and ensure coordination with Communications and Public Affairs.
  • Leads, mentors, and develops University Advancement marketing and communications staff; manages relationships with external agencies, consultants, and vendors as needed.
  • Bachelor’s degree in marketing, journalism, communications, or related field with advanced degree preferred.
  • Minimum of seven years demonstrated professional experience in marketing and communications, with preference for direct experience in advancement and higher education.
  • Extensive knowledge of integrated marketing strategy, brand management, digital marketing, audience segmentation, and data analytics.
  • Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling ability.
  • Proficiency with marketing tools, CMS/CRM platforms, and design software.
  • Demonstrated leadership and experience managing a professional team of skilled marketing and communications staff and external partners.
  • Knowledge of best practices in university advancement higher education fundraising, engagement, communication, and stewardship.
  • Exceptional collaborative skills and commitment to the mission and values of Washington and Lee University.
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Washington and Lee University

Founded in 1749, Washington and Lee is one of the preeminent liberal arts colleges in the country.Mission:Washington and Lee University provides a liberal arts education that develops students' capacity to think freely, critically, and humanely and to conduct themselves with honor, integrity, and civility. Graduates will be prepared for life-long learning, personal achievement, responsible leadership, service to others, and engaged citizenship in a global and diverse society.Content Policy:Washington and Lee (W&L) encourages contributions to any and all of its social media sites and asks that all contributors observe the civility that the University attempts to foster. We reserve the right to review all comments and will remove any that are inappropriate. A posting may be considered inappropriate if it constitutes bullying, discrimination, harassment, threat of violence, unsolicited advertising (SPAM), obscenity, similar inappropriate or unlawful conduct, or is irrelevant to the page or topic.Any community-contributed content is the opinion of the author and does not represent the views of W&L.W&L abides by the Terms of Service of all social media platforms. We encourage users to use the "Report" links if they find content that is abusive.

Founded in 2007
Lexington, Virginia, USA
1.5K employees

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