Associate Director, Development Communications

The Associate Director of Development Communications contributes project management expertise and delivery of high-quality communication tools and collateral in support of major and principal giving priorities, and the Dare to Grow fundraising campaign.

Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. DAR is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University's teaching and research programs.

Duties and Responsibilities

As part of a team of Development and Alumni Relations team professionals supporting the university, the associate director of communications will have the following responsibilities:

• Cultivates strong partnership with colleagues responsible for Dare to Grow campaign events and serves as strategic communications advisor and project manager. Project manages, develops content and writes communications materials to support campaign efforts (e.g. campaign emails, proposals, whitepapers, donor profiles, impact stories), as well as major and principal giving priorities.

• Leads communications planning for select key initiatives and support other members of the Development Communications team in their communications projects.

• Cultivate a strong partnership with Vanderbilt's Communications and Marketing (MarComm) team.

• Work closely with colleagues to maximize effectiveness of development communications, building templates and tools where necessary to ensure efficiency and consistency.

• Maintain project management best practices for design and digital projects (one-pagers, invitations, website updates, etc.) in partnership with Development Communications colleagues. Partner with team members and MarComm to implement.

• Identify and share story ideas around the impact of philanthropy-working with colleagues across DAR and MarComm-for coverage in print and digital publications as well as on websites and social channels.

• Evaluate, develop and recommend improvements to processes to maximize effectiveness of project management and execution.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree, or the equivalent, is required. An advanced degree is preferred.

• Four years of relevant experience is required, preferably in higher education, or a record of demonstrated achievement in a field requiring the application of similar skills.

• Excellent organizational skills, oral and written communications skills, and the ability to articulate the needs, interests, and accomplishments of Vanderbilt University to a wide range of audiences are required.

• Communications professional with excellent track record of customer service and project management.

• Highly motivated team player with strong interpersonal skills for effective interactions working with internal and external individuals.

• Excellent proofreading skills with precise attention to detail.

• Ability to work independently, assuming responsibility, prioritizing and carrying out duties with a minimum of supervision.

• Candidates must also have the capacity to perform in an intellectually rigorous and complex environment, exhibit personal characteristics enabling effective interaction with important constituencies, and possess a genuine commitment to the advancement of higher education and to the principles governing Development and Alumni Relations.

• Value of the importance of equity as an organizational operating principle and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.