Position Overview

As part of the University Development communications team, this position is responsible for setting communications strategies and creating content for assigned projects that help the division achieve its overall acquisition, retention, stewardship, and cultivation goals. This position will use a mature understanding of donor needs and exceptional writing and communication skills to create content for a variety of audiences across diverse mediums. This position will ensure messaging is integrated into overall university strategies and interact throughout the university on behalf of all donor constituencies.

Primary Duties

1. Carry a full project load that includes creating and directing content for digital marketing pieces, direct appeals, donor relations materials, video, web content, social media, publications, and other communication channels.
2. Lead the strategy and analysis of each communications project to increase the efficacy; use data to provide reports and analysis of outcomes.
3. Advise and assist division partners, including major gifts, annual giving, and stewardship, with communication concepts and strategies to achieve area and overall University Development goals.
4. Stay current with industry trends and new technology to continuously improve communications efforts.
5. Coordinate photo and video shoots with other university partners to support communications needs.
6. Act as the primary University Development communications liaison to academic and service units across campus; identify content for University Development communications needs and assist with unit fundraising efforts.
7. Engage in constituent relations with major donors, assisting with donor relations, stewardship, and cultivation in the communications process.
8. Represent University Development campus wide on committees and projects.
9. Regularly interface with vendors to review and approve estimates, provide approval on services/products, and select new vendors as needed.
10. Coordinate mail list direction in collaboration with University Development services and clients.
11. Support capital campaigns and University Development events including story and message development, digital media strategy, and other specific projects as assigned.
12. Provide leadership, supervision, and mentorship to student staff as needed.
13. Perform other duties as required/assigned by leadership.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, nonprofit management, fundraising, or related liberal arts fields; or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of professional marketing communications experience, including communication project management.
• Proven experience in storytelling, persuasive writing, and editing in a variety of formats for a variety of materials, communication vehicles, and audiences.
• Record of success in conceptualizing and implementing communications goals and strategies.
• Familiarity with website content management systems and practices.
• Experience with data reporting and analysis to evaluate project success.
• Experience in email marketing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills that support qualifications for this position.
• Project management skills and ability to meet deadlines while prioritizing competing project timelines.
• High level of organization and ability to manage multiple projects at once.
• Self-motivated with ability to make independent decisions.
• Proficiency in the English language and grammar.
• Proficiency with technology including but not limited to office-productivity software (Microsoft suite), web content management systems, email distribution systems, image databases, constituent databases.
• Experience evaluating and supervising vendors for communications work

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Master’s degree.
• Professional experience in marketing communications for higher education or nonprofit institutions.
• Experience in fundraising communications.
• Experience in collaborating in a marketing communications team environment.
• Experience managing and supervising teams.

Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Some travel may be required with nights and weekends as needed.

Physical Demands: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Salary: $60,000-$70,000, commensurate with experience

Department/Division: University Development

Campus: Grand Rapids Pew Campus

How To Apply: Apply online at jobs.gvsu.edu and select "Apply now". Please include a cover letter and resume. The online application will allow you to attach these documents electronically. On the application, you will be required to provide names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses for three professional references. Applicants selected for interviews will be required to submit official transcripts prior to the interview. If you need assistance, please call Human Resources at 616-331-2215.

Application Deadline: Application review begins November 16, 2023. The posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University.