Job location: Colby College

Employment Type: Full-time
Posted data: 2021-10-13
Req: R0000533
Job DescriptionDepartment:Advancement CommunicationsPay Rate Type:SalaryEmployee Type:Job Summary:College Advancement
Full-Time, Exempt, Salaried, Administrative Staff Appointment

Colby is seeking an associate director of advancement marketing and communications to join Colby’s growing Advancement Communications and Engagement group. Reporting to the senior associate director of advancement communications, the associate director will collaborate across all areas of advancement to help conceptualize and implement a comprehensive, strategic advancement communications program in support of Colby's engagement and philanthropic efforts, including an ambitious $750M campaign. This position will manage an assistant director of advancement marketing and communications.

The associate director will have the ability to craft compelling, innovative content and proactively develop and implement proactive multi-channel marketing plans to drive results in a fast-paced and frequently changing environment. The successful candidate will have a facility with best practices and tools, particularly for direct marketing, as well as an eye to evolving technologies and disruptive trends.

This is an exciting and defining moment in Colby’s history, and the position offers a unique opportunity to be part of a transformational campaign and a growing team. We encourage inquiries from candidates who will contribute to the diversity of our College, including its cultural and ethnic diversity.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Directly supervise an assistant director of advancement marketing and communications
• Conceptualize and generate strategic, targeted content for a variety of audience cohorts about key College fundraising and engagement initiatives for mass and custom audiences (e.g., segmented annual fund mail and email appeals, digital and social content, campaign initiative messaging and opportunities, student outcomes, donor features, alumni profiles, event collateral, etc.)
• In partnership with colleagues, develop strategic advancement communications plans annually and for specific projects
• Independently and proactively manage a variety of digital and print projects, including developing and maintaining schedules, coordinating with colleagues and partners who contribute to the project, and working with outside vendors
• Utilize email marketing and event registration tools; assist colleagues with these tools
• Coordinate closely with internal and external designers to conceptualize digital and print collateral that is cohesive with Advancement branding and aligned with College branding guidelines
• Use WordPress to build out and maintain campaign related websites including darenorthward.colby.edu, truenorth.colby.edu, and colby.edu/alumni
• Use analytics to make data-driven decisions about content, platform, segments, and cadence
• As requested, represent the Communications and Engagement department in meetings with internal and external fundraising clients, including staff, alumni, and students, as well as in meetings with members of the media
• Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience; advanced coursework in marketing, communications, journalism, or related field a plus
• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in marketing, communications, journalism, or a related field required
• Supervisory experience preferred
• Experience writing for multiple platforms including print, email, web, and social media; experience with email and print appeals and campaigns required
• Highly developed computer skills including experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, plus Google Suite
• Experience with fundraising software such as GiveCampus and Raiser's Edge is a plus
• Digital marketing project management and tactical execution experience required, including the use of web content management systems, email marketing tools, and social media tools
• Excellent organizational and proven project management skills required; attention to detail and ability to handle multiple and varied tasks independently in a fast-paced, team oriented environment required
• Excellent grammar, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, and meticulous attention to detail
• Strong aptitude for collaborating and creating with others
• Must be able to work additional hours during busy periods, including evenings and weekends
• Ability to make an impact through work as a member of a team and diverse community
• Appreciation of Colby’s mission and the ability to effectively communicate it

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

Reporting to the senior associate director of advancement communications, the associate director will have direct contact with the senior director of advancement communications and engagement and the senior associate director of marketing analytics. This position will regularly collaborate with team members across the Division of College Advancement, particularly members of the Colby Fund annual giving team, as well as interact with key donors, alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and students. This position will supervise an assistant director of marketing and communications.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

General open office and campus environment. Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary. Computer usage involving repetitive hand/wrist motion is also necessary. Ability to move around campus and interact with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external constituencies regularly is crucial. Work outside of normal business hours is required.

TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should apply electronically by clicking the "Apply" button on the Colby Careers website. Please submit a letter of interest including salary requirements, resume, and the contact information of three professional references. Materials should be addressed to:

Associate Director of Advancement Marketing and Communications - Search Committee
Office of Human Resources
Colby College
5500 Mayflower Hill
Waterville, ME 04901-8855