Associate Director of Donor Engagement, Communications

As the primary storyteller on the Donor Engagement team, the Associate Director of Donor Engagement, Communications is responsible for developing and executing a multichannel direct marketing fundraising strategy that contributes to the goal of securing more than $2 million annually for the Annual Fund from a robust, sustainable pipeline of donors. Reporting to the Director of Donor Engagement, this position requires an understanding of the value of a Lewis & Clark education, excellent writing skills, strong attention to detail, and the organization skills to manage simultaneous projects from strategy through conception to successful implementation.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with the Director of Donor Engagement and the Donor Engagement team to develop messaging and donor communication strategies for our annual fundraising campaign.
• Develop and implement a multichannel donor solicitation and communication calendar including but not limited to print, email, web content, e-newsletters, texting, video, advertisements, and social media.
• Manage communications schedule and workflow for cohesive branding, messaging, and effectiveness.
• Conceive of and write fundraising appeals and donor communications tailored to specific audiences within the Lewis & Clark community including alumni, parents, friends, faculty/staff, students with special appeals and campaigns for specific target audiences including alumni and parent leadership donors, young alumni, loyal donors, athletics supporters, students, and more.
• Draft and send emails in our Slate CRM database.
• Create and manage giving day campaigns for annual athletics giving day, Day of Giving, Giving Tuesday, and more in our online giving day portal.
• Collaborate with the Communications team which provides support on messaging and provides graphic design and layout for certain fundraising appeals and donor communications.
• Work with Advancement Services to manage data criteria to pull donor lists to ensure accuracy and integrity of direct marketing communications and prepare lists for email and print communications.
• Serve as key relationship manager with strategic marketing partners and vendors such as mail houses, printers, graphic designers, photographers, videographers, web designers.
• Establish, track, and analyze results of all marketing efforts to measure success and make decisions to improve messaging/content/imagery etc. to maximize return on investment of future campaigns.
• Continually research best practices and new strategies in fundraising and direct marketing to remain current on trends and strategies and test new approaches and strengthen existing efforts.
• Draft and maintain documentation for direct marketing processes and policies, as applicable.
• Assist as needed at events, including occasional evening and weekend work.
• Promote a team atmosphere where creativity, fun, excitement and a high level of motivation and accomplishment are valued.
• Support and actively contribute to the goal of achieving greater diversity, inclusion and equity at the College and work effectively with all members of the campus community.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 3 years fundraising or marketing experience.
• At least 3 years of persuasive writing experience or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s degree or additional 4 years of relevant experience.
• Strong persuasive writing skills and excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to be an articulate spokesperson on behalf of the College.
• Proven record of project management and high level of organization: must be detail-oriented, able to set and balance multiple projects and priorities, and able to manage time effectively in a deadline-driven environment.
• Familiarity with relevant and contemporary tools/technologies for email marketing, website content management, social media, video, event management, online giving, etc. and have high level ofproficiency with Microsoft Office (especially Excel) and Google Suite.
• Aptitude for accuracy, data, and analysis.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends when needed.
• Significant knowledge of nonprofit organizations or equivalent, preferably in higher education.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with Slate or equivalent CRM database.
• Experience with multi-channel marketing.
• 4+ years fundraising or marketing experience.
• Prior higher education annual fund experience.
• Expertise with email marketing, content management, design tools (ie Canva), social media, video, event management, online giving, and texting software.
• Experience working with print vendors.
• Familiarity with project management software, tools, and best practices.

WORK SCHEDULE:

• 37.5 hours per week
• Mon-Fri
• Hybrid work schedule available