Director of Strategic Communications and Proposals

The Director of Strategic Communications and Proposals is a leader on the strategic communications team in University Marketing at William & Mary. The Director provides a full range of communications services to meet major goals of University Advancement and the university as a whole.

The director leads strategic communications for key university priorities, particularly in areas that connect funding priorities, principal prospect/donor management, marketing efforts, engagement initiatives and strategic events with broader university goals. The director is responsible for developing strategic communications plans that advance fundraising initiatives, proposals and priorities that align with the university’s strategic plan, campaign goals and philanthropic interests of major prospects as well as special university-wide projects. The director’s portfolio of work prioritizes high-level, strategic projects in support of the university’s priorities, specifically donor proposals at the $1M+ level and complex proposals with multiple stakeholders. The director also supports key university initiatives and is responsible for project execution and project deliverables.

The director works with development officers and advancement staff across the university to devise strategic plans for engagement initiatives and donor events on campus, across the U.S. and in key global regions. The director also collaborates closely with leadership, faculty and advancement staff to develop concepts, conduct in-depth research and write strategic communications and proposals that support university initiatives.

The successful director of strategic communications and proposals will be an innovator — a values-driven professional who will foster a culture of belonging. This is a hybrid position based in Williamsburg, Virginia, that offers a flexible work environment.

Job Description:

Salary: Up to $80,000, commensurate with experience.

Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree with significant professional experience and specialized expertise in communications and public relations or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Exceptional writing and editing skills, with a high attention to detail and demonstrated ability to write strategic communications and fundraising proposals.
Strong communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively and effectively with team members and diverse groups of colleagues.
Knowledge of fundraising principles, preferably in a higher-education setting.
Understanding of best practices in campaign strategy and execution.
Ability to research, collect data and provide analysis on a wide range of topics.
Executes with a service-oriented approach, personal initiative and creative thinking.
Excellent project coordination, planning and leadership skills with the ability to lead strategic initiatives.
Strong innovative and analytical thinking with the demonstrated ability to prepare, implement and lead new initiatives.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple and competing projects and relationships concurrently.
Ability to create and format reports and presentations, including PowerPoint presentations.
Ability to identify short- and long-range goals of multiple departments and contribute to effective and measurable execution of outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s degree in a related field.
Professional experience in higher education or a nonprofit, particularly in a position within university advancement that required significant writing and coordination with campus leaders.
Previous experience working in a strategic role helping to design and implement organization-wide initiatives.
Experience working in highly matrixed organizations with multiple goals and numerous stakeholder profiles.
Knowledge of William & Mary, the institution’s strengths and the university’s priorities to make connections with the strategic planning process.
Understanding of graphic design principles and concepts, including the ability to create presentations.
Ability to visually conceptualize layouts.
General understanding of HTML, Web design and social media.
Familiarity with Adobe InCopy, InDesign, PowerPoint and Photoshop.
Familiarity with project management software and methodologies.

Conditions of Employment

This position will require additional hours beyond the typical work week to include evenings and weekends.
This position requires the ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
May be required to travel occasionally.

Position Duties:

70% – Strategic Communications and Proposal Writing:
Develop strategic communications plans that advance fundraising initiatives, draft detailed high-end proposals and priorities that align with the university’s strategic plan, fundraising campaigns and philanthropic interests of major prospects or special university-wide projects.
Collaborate with senior university administrators, faculty and advancement staff to develop fundraising collateral, conduct in-depth research of industry trends and write strategic communications that support  key initiatives.
Create mid- and high-level proposal templates for advancement staff and leaders across the university  to spark donor interest in fundraising priorities.
Conduct research and write briefs for senior level and presidential level meetings with donors and prospects.
Consult with the executive director and the associate vice president to provide high-level strategic communications and events with donors.

20% – Collaboration & Implementation:
Collaborate with leaders and advancement staff to develop and implement comprehensive prospect management strategies and proposals for major/principal donors.
Participate in principal and major gift prospect strategy development, serving as a thought partner on emerging campus opportunities of possible donor interest and creating proposals and other materials to advance donor conversations.
Conceptualize and align donor interests and priorities with university and campaign goals for proposals for transformational gifts.
Work with development officers and advancement staff across the university to devise strategic plans for engagement initiatives and events on campus and in key global regions that resonate with donors.

10% – Coordination and Other Communications Projects:
Coordinate with senior leaders to ensure that university and advancement priorities and initiatives are aligned.
Produce materials that support the university’s strategic plan, Vision 2026 and other high-level W&M priorities.
Develop communication toolkits for development officers and volunteer leaders.
Collaborate with colleagues in the convening of focus groups and qualitative sessions to further research ideas and will distill information to support initiatives.
Create PowerPoint presentations for executive leadership.
Leverage a strong knowledge of key strategies, deliverables and priorities to coordinate projects and initiatives to achieve institutional advancement goals.
Create customized proposals for senior staff concerning complex and transformational gifts.
Develop a variety of communications, reports, proposals, presentations, fundraising initiatives, and other projects as assigned.

Conditions of Employment:

This position will require additional hours beyond the typical work week to include evenings and weekends.
This position requires the ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
May be required to travel occasionally.

Remote Eligibility: Hybrid

Essential Designation: No

Posting Range – $70,000-$80,000, commensurate with experience