Associate Director of Alumni Communications - University of New Haven
West Haven, CT 06516
About the Job
Who we are:
The University of New Haven, founded on the Yale campus in 1920, is a private, coeducational university situated on the coast of southern New England. It’s a diverse and vibrant community of more than 8,800 students with campuses around the country and around the world. Within its five colleges, students immerse themselves in a transformative, career-focused education across the liberal arts and sciences, fine arts, business, engineering, public safety and public service. More than 100 academic programs are offered, all grounded in a long-standing commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary, project-based learning.
Reporting to the Associate Director of Alumni Networks & Affinity Programs, the Associate Director of Advancement Communications will work as part of a dynamic and collaborative Advancement team. The Associate Director is responsible for creating and managing a comprehensive array of advancement communications related to alumni programming, volunteer initiatives, and donor engagement strategies. This highly motivated, results-driven professional will assist in promoting and managing a high-level constituent engagement program with a focus on increasing the depth and diversity of relationships in support of the University.
They will actively collaborate with others in the division and across the university to ensure that all communications to constituents adhere to university branding and messaging guidelines and are managed as part of a strategic communications plan.
You are:
- A highly motivated, results-driven professional
- Committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and the ability to engage volunteers who hold diverse backgrounds
- Able to craft messages for various audiences
- Able to take initiative, work independently and collaboratively
You will:
- Responsible for collaborating with Advancement and University Marketing colleagues to create an annual strategy for alumni and donor communications that is consistent and thoughtful and executing a comprehensive array of communications related to programming, volunteer opportunities, stewardship, donor retention, and alumni benefits.
- Develop, implement, and maintain a dynamic, clearly defined digital communications strategy aligned with other University departments, including but not limited to email communication, website content creation and management, and e-newsletters.
- Manage and enhance social media platforms used to engage alumni for all Advancement needs, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Manage and expand the social media ambassadors’ program and social media feature series. Create and embed metrics to measure the success of each platform.
- Proactively collaborate, brainstorm, and strategize with multiple teams/clients to create and design a wide range of marketing and communications materials, including but not limited to invitations, online form development, signage, and direct mail.
- Assist in the planning and implementing of all Alumni and Advancement events both on and off-campus, including the design and production of event invitations, promotions, emails, and post-event follow-up. Develop integrated communications plans for each event and programmatic activity to align with the overall divisional calendar and strategy.
- Collaborate with Advancement colleagues to enhance the use of data to advance the division’s overall strategy.
- Manage and enhance the Alumni Benefits Program. Oversee the current benefits to fulfill contractual obligations, maintain relationships with vendor contacts; execute effective marketing strategies to promote alumni benefits via the web, social media, and print.
- Establish and build relationships with a wide range of constituents locally, regionally, and nationally; maintain regular communication through individual contact and strategic communications.
- Develop strategic partnerships and collaborative relationships to support the alumni communications needs of the University beyond the Advancement division.
- Serve as a key staff member on the Alumni Board Marketing Committee.
You need:
- Bachelor's degree and a minimum of three years of professional experience; preference is given to those with higher education, development, non-profit, or alumni relations experience. A strong background in marketing, online marketing, advertising, and public relations may be considered.
- Demonstrated experience with design software, including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, etc.
- Proven website and social media optimization skills, including a background in HTML and Photoshop and experience tracking and utilizing analytics.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and attention to detail skills, with demonstrated ability to assess complex situations and collaboratively facilitate solutions.
- Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and the ability to engage volunteers who hold diverse backgrounds.
- Demonstrated strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to craft messages for various audiences.
- Candidate must have strong computer skills. Working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite of programs and Raiser’s Edge and Blackbaud NetCommunity.
- Candidates must also be able to travel and work evenings and weekends when needed.
What’s In It for You:
- Health & Welfare Programs: Employees and their eligible family members, including spouses and dependent are eligible for Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Programs.
- Wellness & Fitness: On-campus Recreation and Fitness Center for employees and families; Employee Assistant Program
- Commitment to Educational Excellence: Tuition assistance for employees and eligible dependents; Tuition exchange opportunities
- Employee Discounts on products, services and educational opportunities
- Work/Life Benefits: Generous paid time off programs; progressive paid holiday schedule (including holiday break between Christmas and New Year’s); 4 weeks of parental paid leave; flexible work schedules including summer hours where applicable