Associate Director, Philanthropic Communications & Special Events

Job Details

Job Location: Oglethorpe University - Atlanta, GA

Position Type: Full-Time Staff

Education Level: Bachelor's

Job Category: Education

Reporting to the Director of Philanthropic Communications, the Associate Director of Philanthropic Communications and Special Events helps create and execute the strategy for meaningful philanthropic engagement of Oglethorpe alumni and friends through marketing and special events.

The Associate Director is responsible for supporting the creation of comprehensive communication plans using various media and communication tools across multiple channels and imagining, creating, and producing a variety of written communications materials that inspire donor support. The Associate Director is also responsible for supporting the Office of Advancement in the creation, implementation, and supervision of strategic, relationship-focused special events. The Associate Director collaborates with Senior Directors and Gift Officers to execute tailored special events and coordinates logistics including briefings, talking points, communications, and senior leadership engagement. In addition, the Philanthropic Communications team coordinates with the offices of University Special Events and Marketing and Communications to ensure brand consistency and coordination of efforts.

Working closely with internal and external stakeholders, this position is responsible for centralized philanthropic communications and event strategy that contributes to and supports revenue goals and donor engagement. This includes roughly 20 events a year hosted by the Office of Advancement and others as identified in collaboration with other departments at the university.

The associate director will work cross-functionally with other staff to ensure that Philanthropic Communications and Special Events provide a strong platform for a sustainable philanthropic future as well as ensure programs strategically align with constituent engagement plans.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Support the Director of Philanthropic Communications in creating, managing, and implementing a comprehensive communications strategy for the Office of Advancement.

Serve as a liaison for relevant internal and external constituents on philanthropic communications:

Manage directives for external vendors in marketing, graphic design, etc.

Collaborate closely with colleagues in Admission and University Communications to maintain a clear, cohesive, and up to date online/web presence

Collaborate with colleagues in University Communications to ensure timely digital marketing and social media campaigns as related to deadlines, events, and other initiatives throughout the year.

Works with the Director, Philanthropic Communications and Advancement Operations to develop, update, and maintain the Office of Advancement and Alumni Web pages. Serves as an Advancement liaison to the Office of Marketing and Communications.

Supports Annual Fund and Alumni Engagement in implementing multichannel digital campaigns to increase awareness and donor response for annual fund appeals to support retention, reactivation, and acquisition. This may include web, email, social media, online giving, crowdfunding, text messaging, and/or giving days.

Working with Senior Directors, Advancement leadership, and Gift Officers, to drive a cohesive events strategy designed to engage prospects and deepen engagement with existing donors.

In conjunction with the University Events department, manages all aspects of roughly 20+ onsite and virtual events per year.

Assist in developing and implementing alumni events (including Alumni Weekend) as well as additional programs/events throughout the year to improve engagement and support of alumni.

Oversee event coordination, (including invitation and guest lists), relationship with venues/vendors/caterers or other service providers, and event budgets (including preparation, reconciliation, and processing invoices for payment).

Work directly with Gift Officers and Donor Relations and Stewardship to support coordinated, effective stewardship and fundraising event asks for donors and prospects in their portfolios.

Participate in the production of philanthropic collateral, including:

Assist in the writing and production of fundraising and engagement communication materials, including annual giving and alumni relations messages and appeals as well as annual giving- and alumni-related content for newsletters, e-news, reports, and other projects aimed at educating, informing, and engaging current and prospective donors.

Research, write, and edit fundraising communications materials, employing storytelling and development-standard practices, including solicitations, stewardship reports, gift proposals, event collateral, donor presentations, and other various print and digital communications.

Serve as first-line proofer for fundraising materials for fact, grammar, punctuation, tightness, and storytelling clarity, and provide editorial suggestions on copy produced by colleagues.

Collaborate with colleagues in University Communications and relevant vendors to produce needed print materials including annual magazines, seasonal greetings, stewardship reports, etc. and to produce video content.

The successful candidate will have a demonstrated record of accomplishment as a self-starter and creative thinker, who is also a detail-oriented communications and engagement specialist with a strong ability to collaborate and implement strategies.

Excellence in writing and oral presentation is essential, along with effective communication talents for a range of constituencies. The associate director must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends and be able to work on a fast-paced multi-tasking team. Successful candidates should present a record of accomplishment of at least 3-5 years in communications and/or special events.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in communications, business, nonprofit management, philanthropy, or marketing.

• A minimum of 3-5 years in communications, special events, fundraising, digital marketing, or other relevant experience.
• Outstanding verbal and written skills to communicate with a diverse audience of constituents and campus partners; must be responsive and service focused.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information in a professional manner.
• Excellent oral and interpersonal skills, including diplomacy required to function effectively among high level campus administrators, volunteers, and other constituencies to bring large scale projects to completion. Ability to work in a team environment.
• Strong initiative, creativity, and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated experience in creating and managing fundraising events and/or corporate events
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Appreciation of, a sensitivity to, and respect for a diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of many social, economic, cultural, ideological, racial, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information in a professional manner.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully balance, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks in an active, fast-paced environment, while providing superior constituent service.
• Strong initiative, creativity, and attention to detail.