Advancement Communications Manager

The College is seeking applicants for a full-time Advancement Communications Manager located in Milwaukee, WI. Alverno College health, dental, vision, disability, and retirement plan enrollment is available to full time employees and eligible dependents. Tuition benefits are available for employees and qualified dependents. Primary Function: The Advancement Communications Manager crafts innovative and effective communication strategies that portray a clear, strong and unified image of the College and assist in meeting increased fundraising and participation goals. Provides strategic direction and project management leadership in developing and implementing communications to alumnae, donors and prospective donors of Alverno College. The Manager leads the effort to effectively steward alumnae, parents, and friends for their support of Alverno and will develop a robust and integrated plan that provides effective support to field fundraisers and drives donor-focused stewardship throughout the division and at all giving levels.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Write content and provide design direction for various Advancement and Alumnae Relations communications materials, including direct mail, email blasts, phoneathon, web and social media content, and video.

2. Develop and implement targeted cultivation, fundraising and stewardship strategies for the annual fund, including faculty-staff campaign, general and high-end annual fund.

3. Create annual communication plan and calendar for Alumnae Engagement and Advancement.

4. In collaboration with college leadership team, develop and facilitate an overarching communications strategy for Advancement, including messaging based on college priorities and initiatives.

5. Develop strategy for the annual giving challenge and works with gift officers, Marketing and Alumnae Engagement to implement online and on-campus fundraising initiatives.

6. Create online and print collateral to support Alumnae Engagement events and Alum Weekend, such as event invitations, emails, web and social media content, scripts and signage.

7. Develop content strategy for department newsletters (including alumnae, Vanguard and planned giving, campaign, etc.)

8. Develop and oversee online content for giving pages and planned giving website.

9. Develop case statements, presentation materials and message points for gift officers, including major campaigns such as capital or endowment.

10. Oversee production of videos honoring award winners for annual Celebration of Giving and Alumnae Awards events, etc.

11. Write and edit letters, speeches and PowerPoints for board members, students and other college leaders. Ensure speeches are practiced and provide feedback to speakers for improvement.

12. Serve as liaison to Marketing team, ensuring Advancement materials support Alverno’s overall branding and messaging strategy.

13. Work with Publications Editor to develop content for Alverno Magazine (print and online) and annual President’s Report.

14. Review response data and analytics to assess effectiveness of communications plan and inform changes that use resources to full potential.

15. Comply with safety procedures. Maintain clean and orderly work areas.

16. Perform other tasks as necessary to support the mission of the College.

1. Bachelor’s degree is required, preference for degree in Marketing, Communication, English or Business.

2. A minimum of 5-7 years of professional experience with communications, experience should be focused in fund raising, cultivating sponsorships and driving brand.

3. Must possess high-level creative, organizational, problem-solving, time-management and client partner skills, including the ability to manage through ambiguity and explain creative direction and execution to a non-technical audience.

4. Must be energized by working as part of a team and interacting effectively with a variety of college partners.

5. Demonstrated success utilizing social marketing and e-marketing communication. Must possess strong knowledge how to cultivate and utilize social medial platforms.

6. Must be self-directed with strong problem-solving skills, including the ability to develop innovative approaches and ideas and meet challenges with resourcefulness.

7. Working knowledge of HTML and content management system (CMS) experience is highly recommended.

8. Requires attention to detail, strong organizational competence and the ability to coordinate multiple deadlines simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. Must be able to work with frequent interruptions and professionally respond to variations in schedules and plans.

9. Requires the ability to freely move throughout the facility and grounds. Must have the ability to frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds.Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and color vision.