Professional/Administrative

Advancement Communications Director

Full Time

Office of University Communications and Events

Office of University Communications

The Advancement Communications Director is focused on the development and production of advancement communication content across platforms, including print, digital, and web. The Director is responsible for developing and implementing campaign-specific and general advancement communications strategies in support of Colgate’s Third-Century. The position reports to the Senior Director, Communications and Strategic Initiatives, while working closely with members of the Colgate advancement team.

Content Creation and Production

Demonstrated ability to develop and implement cross-platform communications for the advancement office, including website content, brochures, reports, magazine stories, invitations, video scripts and storyboards, solicitations, newsletters, etc.

Demonstrates expertise research, interview, write, and edit high-quality, error-free copy in line with Colgate’s editorial style. Curate and adapt content for designated communications channels.

Assists with editorial suggestions for university publications based on Third-Century priorities.
Coordinates with the communication team for creative design and execution of materials.

Communications Planning and Strategy

Demonstrates a high level of collaboration serving as the primary liaison with Advancement staff to identify communications needs, develop and implement annual communications plans, and ensure achievement of goals and objectives for philanthropic support.

Demonstrates the ability to oversee effective project development from initial client concept meeting through launch or delivery.

Demonstrates knowledge and applies consistency with branding and messaging across all platforms of advancement communications.

Demonstrates ability to develop metrics, with reporting plan, for advancement communications initiatives, suggesting changes and redirection of strategies as needed.

Communications Technology

Demonstrated ability to use relevant content creation systems and technologies across multiple platforms and media, including – but not limited to – social media and e-mail.

In collaboration with the web manager, assist with creation and maintenance of Third-Century website.

Demonstrates ability to stay current on trends, innovations, and best practices in advancement communications.

Demonstrates high level of expertise in the use of specific applications such as Google Drive, Microsoft Office, Basecamp, and social media applications.

Vendor Management

Demonstrated ability to negotiate favorable terms with key vendors and ensure these vendors perform to expectations.

Managerial Skills

Demonstrated knowledge of Colgate managerial processes and requirements, to include:

Demonstrated ability to fairly and accurately assess employee performance in accordance with university practices.
Demonstrated understanding of federal and state regulations, as they apply to the university policies and guidelines related to human resource s sufficient to effectively select new employees, recommend pay actions, determine employment status and initiate or approve employee changes in status.

Demonstrated ability to select, develop and retain high performing work teams, to include:

Demonstrated ability to develop employee skills, performance, and behaviors.

Demonstrated ability to effectively coach and communicate with employees on issues of pay, performance and development.

Personal Accountability for Results

Takes responsibility for decisions, performance, and outcomes; behaves in a responsible manner with a positive attitude; shows self-awareness and openness to feedback.

Effective Communication

Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills; shares information and seeks input from others; adapts communication to diverse audiences; protects private and confidential information.

Problem Solving and Decision Making

Analyzes and prioritizes situations to identify and solve problems; generates solutions to improve efficiency and quality; involves others in solving problems and making decisions; factors organizational goals into decisions; makes clear, transparent, and timely decisions.

Change Management

Responds positively to changing university initiatives and readily adapts behavior to maintain effective performance; understands the long-term direction of the university and can relate this to departmental area; adapts to new methodologies; identifies and acts on areas where change is appropriate.

Leadership and Teamwork

Applies skills and knowledge to provide a climate to achieve departmental and organizational success; balances individual and department goals; helps others perform at their best; builds productive relationships to enhance individual and organizational effectiveness; treats others with respect; resolves conflicts among team members.

Creativity and Innovation

Generates, explores, encourages, and implements innovative ways of creating strategic value for the university, division, department, and individual level; critically assesses the effectiveness of new initiatives.

Diversity and Inclusion

Demonstrates respect for people and their differences; understands the benefits of a diverse workforce; earns the trust and respect of others; includes and welcomes others; works to understand the perspective of others; promotes opportunities to experience diversity within our community.

Sustainability

Understands the impact of decision making and personal behavior in achieving the university’s commitment to a sustainable and carbon-neutral campus; supports and advances the university’s sustainability initiatives; influences others to use sustainable practices.

A minimum of 3-5 years experience in advancement, fundraising, alumni relations, communications, project management, marketing, recruitment, public relations, or journalism.

Excellent writing, editing, publication, and project management skills.

Knowledge of digital communications best practices strongly preferred.

Knowledge or experience in higher education advancement or alumni relations preferred.

Experience with Drupal and BBNC preferred but not required.

Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, communications, journalism, public relations, or related field required.

Please submit a writing sample in the document section titled “writing sample.”

2022S129Posting

No

Weekdays.

09/19/2022

Yes

Colgate has a diverse student, faculty, staff, and alumni population representing a variety of races, gender identities, social economic status, sexual orientations, languages, national origins, etc. Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Plan presents a framework for continuing the creation of an inclusive campus and engaging the Colgate community in this effort in the years ahead.

Please describe how you would connect and work with a diverse community. The statement can be any length (e.g. paragraph or page). You can upload the statement under the Diversity Statement document heading. For information on how to write a diversity statement, see our Guidance on Crafting Diversity Statements.

It is the policy of Colgate University not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of their race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, marital status, disability, protected Veterans status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, being or having been victims of domestic violence or stalking, familial status, or any other categories covered by law. Colgate is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Candidates from historically underrepresented groups, women, persons with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

CAMPUS CRIME REPORTING AND STATISTICS
The Campus Safety Department will provide upon request a copy of Colgate’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report includes statistics as reported to the United States Department of Education for the previous three years concerning reported: 1. crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Colgate University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus and 2. fires that occurred in student housing facilities. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security and fire safety, such as policies concerning sexual assault, life safety systems, and other related matters. To obtain a copy, contact the Campus Safety Compliance Manager via e-mail at cusafety@colgate.edu. You may also access the report from the Campus Safety web page at: www.colgate.edu/offices/support/campussafety.