Director of Campaign Communications
Reporting to the Vice President of Development, the Director of Campaign Communications will be responsible for developing and implementing philanthropic messaging strategies for the comprehensive campaign and other development initiatives, consistent with the university’s strategic plan and in alignment with its brand narrative. The Director will advise University Advancement (UA) leadership on best practices of messaging and content delivery for impactful communications that drive donor support in the campaign and advance the University’s strategic priorities. This position will develop a variety of segmented and customized communications, including prospect/donor proposals, gifting opportunities and customized stewardship plans, among others, for the University’s key constituencies and stakeholders.
Responsibilities
COMMUNICATIONS: CONCEPTION AND DEVELOPMENT
Conceive, write, edit and coordinate all campaign communications focusing on the themes determined in collaboration with UA leadership, including:
- Overarching campaign prospectus
- Materials customized to the needs of academic disciplines and participating administrative units (e.g. Athletics, Student Life, etc.)
- Materials customized to various donor segments (e.g. annual donors, major gift prospects, principle gift prospects, planned gift prospects)
- Materials customized to the individual interests of high net worth prospects
- Principle gift proposals
- Campaign and initiative case statements
- Customize communications by synthesizing and applying available research on distinct donor segments including loyal donors, philanthropic entrepreneurs and philanthropic investors as well as research on philanthropic propensities that may be unique to age, gender, ethnic identity, faith choices and/or geography.
- Working with internal and external resources to direct aspects of campaign communication from concept to fulfillment for all materials.
- Collaborate with Strategic Marketing and Communications and when applicable, external vendors to produce strategic, high-quality and persuasive messaging and content for written collateral, web, electronic mail and social media platforms for the comprehensive campaign.
- Produce concepts and copy for impactful communications to the Chapman Family to engage them in campaigns and other meaningful participation and engagement opportunities.
COLLABORATION AND COORDINATION WITH CAMPUS PARTNERS
- Provide strategic guidance to UA and University colleagues on the best practices of messaging and content delivery for impactful communications that drive donor support for the comprehensive campaign.
- Collaborate with key academic and administrative leaders, student and alumni leaders, advancement professionals and others to incorporate the various voices and outlooks that comprise the Chapman identity for the comprehensive campaign.
- Establish the aesthetic direction and consistency for printed collateral and the web environment for campaign image and brand.
- As needed or requested, advise internal stakeholders including front line fundraisers, volunteers and academic leadership on ways to customize their messages to engage alumni, parents, and friends within the University’s brand identity parameters.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and professional experience
- Minimum seven years’ experience in managing design and print vendors as well as leading high priority communication projects or related initiatives; graphic design skills a plus.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience creating successful campaign collateral and brand messages
- Knowledge of fundraising concepts related to proposals and campaign collateral and web content
- Superior command of grammar, spelling and punctuation
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Ability to work in a collaborative environment
- Strong organizational and prioritization skills to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
- Ability to forecast expenses and manage a budget
- Technical skills to use Microsoft Office and position relevant design-related software, and to learn and use enterprise systems
- Demonstrated ability to influence and tactfully manage relationships with diverse internal and external constituencies
- Strong analytical skills to evaluate data, assess alternatives, and make appropriate decisions and/or recommendations
- Ability to learn university policies, procedures, practices and culture and apply them for effective and persuasive messaging
- Ability to maintain high level confidentiality and to employ tact and good judgment
- Working knowledge of current messaging tools, styles and best practices for diverse audience appeals
Apply here: https://chapman.peopleadmin.com/postings/28881