Director Development Communications University of San Francisco

Job Description: • 2-minute read •
The Director of Communications defines and drives the university’s marketing and communication strategy for the Office of Development and is responsible for managing its execution in consultation with division and department leadership. The director is responsible for ensuring that all donor, alumni and prospect communications deliver a consistent, clear and compelling message about the value of the University of San Francisco.

By cultivating existing relationships, and supporting the establishment of new ones through marketing and communications, the director is responsible for elevating the USF development communication experience when compared to development communications experiences at other institutions. The director will further the goals of both the University and the Office of Development by segmenting and targeting messages and channels to our key constituencies: alumni donors, alumni non-donors, other donors and friends. The director will conceive of, plan, and lead the implementation and evaluation of a host of print and digital communications. Communications produced by the director’s team will educate, engage, solicit, inspire and thank alumni, donors and prospects. The director must be an expert collaborator and consensus builder and will be able to effectively communicate the goals of the development division to other business units and schools across the university to ensure the success of the mission of the University of San Francisco. The Director leads a team of at least 2 full-time staff.

Job Responsibilities
• Utilize marketing and communications principles and practices in the creation of targeted content, timing of messages and delivery of print and digital collateral to ensure the university is staying top of mind with its various stakeholders and in keeping with higher-education best practices.
• Drive a development marketing and communications strategy that tells the university’s story, including donor impact, supports division priorities and creates a consistent experience for constituents.
• Collaborate with the senior leaders of the development team to drive key communications, adapting to evolving needs (including campaign needs), while ensuring alignment with USF brand and positioning efforts.
• Serve as the Office of Development’s primary partner with the Office of Communications and Marketing to execute key marketing communications efforts while ensuring consistency, timely production of communication pieces and effective engagement internally and externally. Serve as the primary contact for the editor of USF Magazine on development-focused content and the liaison with media relations on development issues.
• Focusing on pipeline and prospect development, work across related areas – major gifts, annual giving, alumni engagement, gift planning, parent relations, to encourage engagement and increased giving.
• Develop key communications vehicles for USF leadership so that fundraising and campaign priorities are consistently messaged and supported. This may include talking points, presentations, position papers and other vehicles, as needed.
• Supervise the development communications team of two assistant directors.
• Set team goals, mentor, motivate and manage direct reports.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, public relations, or related fields.
• Five or more years of professional experience in communications, including experience developing effective marketing communications plans. Experience in higher education or non-profit development marketing and/ or communications preferred.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills.
• Demonstrated leadership and project management skills, including multi-tasking and the management of multiple projects for diverse purposes and audiences.
• Thorough knowledge of how to leverage market principles, communications vehicles and channels, including print and digital, and knowledge of effective messaging and writing styles.
• Demonstrated capacity to manage and motivate a team.
• High aptitude for collaboration and demonstrated success at working as part of a team.
• Passion for working in a diverse, multi-cultural environment.
• Willingness to learn new skills and applications and implement new ideas.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Advanced degree in related field, such as marketing, digital media, or related fields.
• Experience working in higher education environment.

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