Advancement Communications Manager

Since 1920, Mount St. Joseph University has provided an education that is based on interdisciplinary liberal arts and professional curricula emphasizing mission, values, integrity, and social responsibility. Faculty and staff deliver high-quality academics, hands-on experiential learning, and personalized attention to support student success. Join our award-winning team, recognized as a 'Best College to Work for,' and be part of a vibrant culture that places a premium on collaboration and belonging.

Purpose

The Advancement Communications Manager leads the strategy, development, and execution of integrated communications that advance the University’s philanthropic priorities and revenue goals. This role serves as the primary architect of fundraising communications across digital, print, web, and social media platforms, ensuring cohesive, mission-aligned messaging that strengthens donor engagement, campaign readiness, and institutional reputation.

The position provides strategic leadership for Advancement-related web content, digital storytelling, social media engagement, and performance analytics, ensuring alignment with university brand standards, accessibility requirements, and overall marketing objectives. The Advancement Communications Manager partners closely with Marketing & Communications to elevate the University’s philanthropic presence across all communication channels.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Fundraising Communications Leadership

• In coordination with the Senior Director of Institutional Advancement, develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with Institutional Advancement fundraising priorities, campaign initiatives, and annual revenue goals.
• Provide strategic direction for messaging across Annual Fund, major gifts, stewardship, alumni engagement, and comprehensive campaign initiatives.
• Lead the development and execution of integrated, multi-channel fundraising campaigns that align digital, print, social, and web communications.
• Ensure campaign messaging is audience-centered, data-informed, and consistent with institutional brand standards and style guidelines.
• Develop annual communications goals and performance scorecards to measure campaign effectiveness, donor engagement, and return on investment.

Digital Engagement, Website Strategy, and Analytics

• Provide strategic oversight of Advancement-related website content, including giving pages, campaign microsites, donor impact stories, and alumni engagement content.
• Partner with Marketing & Communications and web services personnel to ensure Advancement web content aligns with institutional web policies, accessibility standards, compliance requirements, and brand guidelines.
• Monitor and analyze website usage, landing page conversions, email engagement, digital advertising performance, and social media analytics; proactively communicate insights and recommend optimization strategies.
• Develop and implement digital engagement plans that enhance donor acquisition, retention, and stewardship outcomes.
• Ensure timely updates, accuracy, and removal of outdated or inaccurate Advancement content across digital platforms.

Annual Fund and Campaign Execution

• Write and oversee the development of Annual Fund appeals, including direct mail, email, and multi-channel solicitations for initiatives such as Day of Giving, Giving Tuesday, fiscal year-end campaigns, and special initiatives.
• Collaborate with campus partners to create compelling fundraising materials that support institutional priorities and campaign themes.
• Oversee production timelines, vendor coordination, and budget alignment for Advancement communications projects.

Storytelling and Content Development

• Lead the development of donor-focused storytelling initiatives that elevate the impact of philanthropy across multimedia platforms.
• Create and curate compelling stories highlighting students, alumni, faculty, and donor impact for use across web, email, social media, print, and campaign materials.
• Ensure all written materials adhere to AP style and institutional brand standards.
• Partner with Marketing & Communications to leverage institutional storytelling initiatives in support of philanthropic objectives.

Social Media and Digital Campaign Integration

• Provide strategic direction for Advancement-related social media initiatives in coordination with Marketing & Communications.
• Support and/or manage targeted social media advertising campaigns related to fundraising initiatives, including audience segmentation, creative development, scheduling, budget monitoring, and performance tracking.
• Help ensure continuity, governance, and best practices across Advancement-related digital channels.

Compliance, Accessibility, and Crisis Support

• Ensure Advancement communications and web content comply with applicable federal, state, and institutional policies and accessibility standards.
• Coordinate with appropriate campus partners regarding compliance updates impacting Advancement communications.
• Support Advancement-related messaging needs during institutional crisis communications in collaboration with Marketing & Communications leadership.

Donor Systems and Data Management

• Maintain accurate donor and gift records in partnership with Advancement Operations to support campaign communications, segmentation, stewardship reporting, and donor engagement initiatives.
• Utilize donor database systems (e.g., Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge and other IA platforms) to inform strategy, targeting, and performance measurement.

Relationship Management and Representation

• Build and maintain relationships with alumni, donors, faculty, and campus partners to strengthen philanthropic storytelling and engagement.
• Represent Institutional Advancement at select community, alumni, and donor events.
• Serve as a key liaison between Institutional Advancement and Marketing & Communications for integrated campaign planning and execution.

Primary Contacts

• Institutional Advancement team, Marketing & Communications team, alumni and donors, faculty and campus leadership, external vendors and creative partners.

Supervision Exercised

May supervise student workers, co-op students, and/or project-based contributors.

Supervision Received

Works under general direction toward broadly defined objectives. Exercises independent judgment in planning and executing communications strategies. Refers policy-related matters to the Senior Director of Institutional Advancement as appropriate.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or related field required.

Experience

Minimum of two (2) years of experience in advancement communications, fundraising communications, marketing, digital media, or related field. Experience in higher education preferred.

Demonstrated experience in:

• Multi-channel campaign strategy and execution
• Digital marketing and email marketing platforms
• Website content strategy and analytics
• Social media engagement and paid digital campaigns
• Storytelling and persuasive writing
• Project management across multiple concurrent initiatives

Specialized Training & Technical Skills

• Experience with donor database systems (preferably Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge or similar CRM platforms).
• Working knowledge of content management systems and web content governance.
• Familiarity with website analytics platforms and digital performance reporting.
• Proficiency in design and content creation tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or comparable software.
• Strong understanding of digital accessibility and brand standards.
• Proficiency with project management platforms (e.g., Asana, Podio, or similar tools).

Benefits
Mount St. Joseph University offers a wide array of benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, health, and wellness needs of you and your family. Eligibility varies by position and FTE.

• Tuition Remission for you and your family.
• 403b Retirement
• Excellent benefits including medical, employer HSA contributions, dental, vision, life, parental leave.
• Generous PTO.
• 16 paid holidays.
• Competitive salaries.
• Opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative educational environment.
• Professional development opportunities.

To apply, please upload a cover letter, resume, and contact information with three professional references via Paycom.

A review of resumes will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

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Mount St. Joseph University is an Equal Opportunity Employer