Senior Director, Advancement & Development Communications

Department: UNIVERSITY MARKETING & COMMUNICATION

Salary: $11,666 – $13,750 per month

Shift: First Shift

Notes: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-professional-staff-librarians-academic-staff-20230701_a11y.pdf) Please note that this position is above a grade 10.

The University of Washington is home to students, faculty and staff motivated by a boundless spirit and a belief in coming together to advance the public good. The University features three campuses educating roughly 60,000 students for successful lives and careers; a network of hospitals and clinics caring for thousands of patients each day; and teaching, research and outreach efforts around Washington and the world. The UW is annually ranked among the world’s leading research universities, with the scholarship and creative works produced here advancing human knowledge and enriching lives.

The mission of University Marketing & Communications (https://www.washington.edu/marketing/) is to lead branding, marketing and communications efforts that advance the reputation, resources and relationships of the University. As part of University Advancement (https://www.washington.edu/advancement/) , our work enhances the UW’s service to students, our state and society at large, including vital efforts to address inequities in access to opportunity and education. This starts with creating a culture of belonging (https://www.washington.edu/advancement/ua-dei-visions-values-and-actions/) within our organization that values the diverse experiences and expertise of our team members, allowing everyone to thrive and to contribute their unique talents as we strive to achieve our shared goals.

University of Washington Advancement Marketing and Communications has an outstanding opportunity for a Senior Director, Advancement & Development Communications. This is a full-time permanent position.

The Senior Director, Advancement & Development Communications leads and guides the University’s communications, marketing and engagement efforts in order to advance the development and philanthropic goals and priorities of the University of Washington (UW). Through their work, the individual in this position contributes to the lives and success of the students, communities, state and society served by the UW.

The University of Washington embraces an integrated Advancement model that unites development, alumni and stakeholder engagement, marketing and communications, and operations to grow the UW’s relationships, resources, and reputation. This role leads a team of expert marketing and communications professionals focused on increasing philanthropy by inspiring donors and deepening relationships through meaningful, captivating events, communications, stories, and experiences in collaboration with development leadership and colleagues.

Within University Advancement, University Marketing & Communications (UMAC) builds awareness, increases support, and collaborates across the entire enterprise (all three campuses – Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma as well as UW Medicine, Athletics, and the many centers and institutes) to connect the UW with the public. The Senior Director for Advancement & Development Communications works closely with central Advancement leadership and Advancement leaders in units across the entire UW to support University-wide priorities and key initiatives. This position will have an integral role in developing and executing strategic marketing communications plans and projects, including the University’s next comprehensive fundraising campaign. This role provides marketing and communications consultation and guidance to ensure consistent and effective engagement, cultivation and recognition/stewardship messaging for all donors and philanthropic influencers through a variety of communication channels in partnership with development stakeholders.

The Senior Director operates in a central/de-central model that requires relationship building and collaboration with colleagues throughout the University on all three campuses. The Senior Director develops compelling campaign information, tools/resources for key audiences – always in context with the University’s integrated brand marketing strategy and serves as a thought leader/partner informing best marketing and communications practices that support and result in effective fundraising efforts.

What You Will Do:

Strategy Development (35%)

• Provide strategic guidance and consultation to the Office of the SVP for Advancement, the Office of the VP for Development, Advancement’s central development teams well as fundraising units across the UW-enterprise in the development of advancement and campaign communications plans and in context with the University’s integrated marketing plan; also identify and incorporate an overall strategy across Advancement to ensure consistent and coordinated branding and messaging within engagement and fundraising communications, with a strong emphasis on digital strategies.
• Provide leadership to develop and implement an advancement and campaign communications strategy across the University to ensure comprehensive programs and projects inspire donors and potential donors and elevate the University’s reputation in collaboration with Advancement partners and as part of an integrated brand marketing strategy. This work will contribute to, support and deliver on the institutional marketing plan in support of our highest development priorities.
• Collaborate with Alumni and Stakeholder Engagement (ASE), Annual Philanthropy and other development programs on the strategic development and communications planning and implementation of broad-based engagement efforts targeting first-time donors and alumni to ensure consistent and coordinated branding and messaging within engagement and fundraising communications.
• Create and implement strategies and plans to strengthen internal communications for Advancement and campaign success. Core opportunities include developing a culture of philanthropy among our faculty, staff, students and young alumni. This work will require close partnership with colleagues across Advancement, including the Vice President of Development, the Sr. Associate VP for Advancement Strategy and Campaigns, the Annual Philanthropy team, Alumni and Stakeholder Engagement and internal communications.
• Provide strategic marketing and communications consultation to central and campus advancement units to support integrated, consistent, meaningful and effective stewardship of University donors in alignment with fundraising goals, pipeline strategies, the comprehensive campaign and engagement strategies.
• Work in partnership with Individual Giving Programs (such as Principal, Regional, International and Planned Giving), Annual Philanthropy, Donor Relations, Corporate/Foundation Relations and services as well as campuses, schools, colleges, athletics and UW Medicine to ensure coordinated marketing and communications activities that positively reinforce philanthropic efforts and ensure donor’s continued interest in and affection for the University.
• In partnership with the Marketing Research, Analytics and Insights team, use analytics and research to drive the development and measure the success of advancement marketing and communications efforts. Prepare regular reports and executive summaries on the impact of this for University leadership and internal partners.
• Participate in and design/oversee appropriate working groups or councils to leverage marketing talent and vehicles in a collaborative and cost-efficient way.

Program Development and Management (30%)

• Develop a long-range (multi-year) as well as annual (fiscal year) marketing plan, calendar and budget for advancement/campaign communications. Work should include incorporating strategies, identifying market segments, testing and producing associated deliverables designed to ensure and sustain awareness of the impact of giving to all levels of donors and constituents. Oversee the campaign and annual advancement marketing plan, including periodic review/evaluation of advancement and campaign communications projects executed by UW Marketing & Communications colleagues across the UMAC enterprise.
• Stay current with advancement-focused/fundraising market research and trends, evaluate current efforts and implement ongoing improvement of campaign communications to guide the work of University Marketing & Communications’ operational teams; also provide insight and recommendations to Marketing & Communications Executive Council members and UW leadership using fact-based decision-making.

Leadership and Team Management (30%)

• Provide leadership to the Advancement & Development Communications team in collaboration with the Associate Vice President, Brand Marketing Strategy.
• Supervise a team of five individuals who have responsibility for key marketing deliverables to ensure campaign success including supporting the University’s advancement and development executive communications; donor stewardship communications; making the case for support for key fundraising priorities and initiatives, developing and writing campaign communications; overseeing externally-facing development communications; supporting the donor engagement and recognition events and providing key elements of dynamic digital content to engage donors and inspire philanthropy. Responsible for staff development and career enrichment for the Advancement & Development Communications team.
• Hire and oversee contract vendors as appropriate. Oversee and approve specifications for bids and cost estimates as provided by the production managers.
• Provide consultation and support to marketing and communication teams across the University in their efforts to develop and maintain communications plans for Advancement in their specific units.

Other duties as assigned. (5%)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s degree in English journalism, marketing, advertising, communications or related field AND eight years of experience in management in developing and implementing successful fundraising marketing and communications strategies or related field.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Who You Are:

• Has a proven track record of marketing and communications leadership, including management of multiple full-time employees and experience in fundraising campaigns that have resulted in significant positive results.
• Has experience in successfully managing comprehensive campaign communications within higher education and ideally with a public research university.
• Understands how to guide and actively shape consistent, compelling philanthropic messaging and positioning.
• Has writing and editing skills including the ability to create complex content and stories to generate private support.
• Understands current online marketing concepts, strategies, and best practices with particular emphasis on leveraging digital platforms that result in successful direct marketing and communications efforts. Experience with Marketo or a similar market automation tool is highly desired.
• Has extensive experience in directing and using marketing research to formulate effective target audience strategies with proven and positive results.
• Has demonstrated computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint for correspondence, special reports, spreadsheets, databases, forms, etc.

What You Can Expect:

• You will work with an open-minded and inclusive team that values diversity.
• Cubicle/open workspace environment which may result in additional or higher levels of noise and visual distractions.
• Ability to work evening and weekend hours, as necessary, on short or limited notice.
• Willing to travel when necessary. Frequent local travel expected.

Application Process: The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your “My Jobs” page to take when you are ready.

Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.