Director of Advancement Communications

TITLE

Director of Advancement Communications

JOB SUMMARY 

The Director of Advancement Communications within the Division of University Advancement and Alumni Engagement provides professional, high-caliber services to support and manage the overall marketing and communications needs of the unit. Working closely with colleagues across UA, this position crafts, manages, and implements marketing and communications materials across print, digital, and multimedia platforms to promote philanthropy, alumni engagement, and institutional priorities. The Director works closely with the Marketing and Communications Division to ensure alignment with university standards. The director will manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, high-volume environment such as major gift proposals, TWU Foundation annual report, annual giving solicitations, event collateral including invitations, stewardship initiatives, alumni newsletters, social media and web content. The director is a member of the UA senior leadership team and supervises and assistant director position. Work is performed under minimal supervision, and performance evaluation is based upon completion of assignments and results obtained. The performance evaluation is conducted through the performance evaluation system and in accordance with the University Policies & Procedures.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to:      Assistant Vice President, Advancement Services

Supervises:     Assistant Director of Advancement Design and Communications

ESSENTIAL DUTIES - May include, but not limited to the following:

• Leads the development, implementation, and management of all advancement related materials (print, digital, email, and multimedia) in alignment with institutional brand standards by assigning tasks and working along with the assistant director.

• Serve as liaison between advancement and central marketing communications unit.

• Ensures regular updates to existing digital content and the creation of new content that demonstrates the impact of giving at TWU.

• Collaborates across the university with other departments to encourage consistent

advancement messaging. 

• Develops printed and digital materials for fundraising initiatives, including case statements, websites, annual giving appeals, proposals, fact sheets, etc.

• Oversees all planned giving marketing; works closely with outside vendor on planned giving website and printed and digital materials.

• Oversees all alumni engagement printed and digital materials including newsletters, invitations, event materials, website, etc., in collaboration with the Alumni Engagement Team.

• Oversees leadership remarks for advancement-related events in collaboration with appropriate campus partners including the Chancellor's Chief of Staff.

• Assists the donor relations teams with all stewardship materials including reports, videos, mementos, giving societies collateral, events, thank you letters, gift receipts, etc.

• Develops tracking metrics for communications effectiveness

• Oversees the generating of content to be distributed through university channels in collaboration with central Marketing and Communications.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Performs other duties as requested.

EDUCATION 

A bachelor's degree in a related field is required. Master's degree strongly preferred.

EXPERIENCE

Five+ years of successful progressively responsible communications and project management experience including design, writing, and art direction, preferable in the advancement field.

Experience working with printing firms.

REQUIREMENT

Regular and reliable attendance at the University during regular scheduled days and work hours is an essential function of this position.  

All employees share the responsibility of maintaining information security and privacy requirements within the university by adhering to Federal and State regulations, and TWU Policies & Procedures.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES - The following are essential:

• Knowledge of communication and marketing standards, systems, and best practices,

• preferably in the advancement field and higher education.

• Demonstrated organization and planning skills with experience in project management.

• Demonstrated writing and editing skills.

• Demonstrated skills in design and art direction.

• Knowledge of the printing process, including quoting, press checks, and production timelines.

• Ability to be a creative thinker who can create content/media to engage others.

• Demonstrated ability in developing and leading complex projects and assessing the results.

• Demonstrated leadership ability, including team motivation in a fast-paced environment through mentoring, goal-setting, and strategic planning.

• Comprehensive knowledge of best practices in university advancement communications.

• Ability to analyze data, monitor budgets, and develop successful plans is necessary.

• Excellent technology skills, specifically with MS Office suite of products, Adobe Creative Suite, web content management systems and email marketing tools.

• Ability to use a personal computer and other office equipment, including related university software and email.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described in the Essential Duties and below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties. The employee may be required to travel.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, including sexual harassment. Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment. 

SAFETY

TWU promotes a safe working environment. Employees are responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently, and supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment. Employees must report any unsafe work conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incidents, to their supervisor and Risk Management. Supervisors and employees should ensure that injury/accident reports are submitted to the Office of Human Resources and Risk Management within 24 hours of the incident.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Texas Woman's University, an AA/EEO employer, provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected category, class or characteristic.

All offers of employment will be contingent on the candidate's ability to provide documents which establish proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Positions at Texas Woman's University deemed security-sensitive require background checks and verification of all academic credentials.

If you are a male between the age of 18 and 25, federal law requires that you must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions under Selective Service law. Under HB 558, enacted by the 76th Texas State Legislature, if you are currently of the age and gender requiring registration with Selective Service, but knowingly and willfully fail to do so, you are ineligible for employment with an agency in any branch of Texas state government.  For additional information regarding registration or status, you can contact the Selective Service System at or