Associate Director, Strategic Donor and Development Communications

Job Description:

The Associate Director, Strategic Donor and Development Communications is responsible for creating and managing development communications activities to support awareness of fundraising priorities and the cultivation and stewardship of major donors in support of the current BrownTogether campaign as well as beyond. The Associate Director oversees the creation of fundraising collateral (ex: one-pagers) and proposals for major donor prospects in partnership with fundraisers, academic directors and University leaders, and develops and maintains a repository of approved messaging/talking points and proposal templates that can be easily accessed and adapted for donor conversations, presentations and solicitations. The role consults on, writes and edits donor stewardship materials (impact reports and related media) and collaborates with University Communications on the creation of major gift announcements and other projects. 

Reporting to the Director, Content Strategy and Planning, the Associate Director serves as a principal advisor on fundraising,  development and stewardship communications including brand identity, messaging, distribution, and strategy matters. The Associate Director is a liaison to communication managers and directors in schools, centers, institutes, initiatives and programs across the University on fundraising priorities to ensure consistency in messaging and to help identify content and impact story ideas. The position also requires some focus on additional content development, which includes producing donor-related/fundraising impact stories and website content, as well as handling general editing requests as needed. In addition, the Associate Director will assist the Director with leadership of the content team and key projects that support the communications team and other division communicators. This role will develop strategies and content in alignment with Brown’s policies and protocols relating to visual identity, image use, copyright, web hosting, accessibility, and vendor hiring.

Brown University is committed to advancing diversity, inclusion, and equity. Candidates from historically underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply. Brown University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required 

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a related field such as professional writing experience, including significant experience in an academic setting or equivalent combination of education and business experience. Demonstrated competencies in written communications, journalism, technical writing, proposal and/or grant writing, etc

Required Qualifications

• Familiarity with the Google Suite and Constant Contact or other related products and services

• Familiarity with team collaboration and project management tools like Slack and ClickUp

• Familiarity with laws and statutes governing privacy, copyright, fair use and other areas of intellectual property as it pertains to distributing content

• Familiarity with best practices in communications design, channels and delivery

•  Familiarity with web content management systems

• Knowledge of digital communications strategy and best practices

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities, to solve problems and meet challenging, aggressive and changing priorities/deadlines

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in an advancement setting and with philanthropy and fundraising communication

Job Competencies

• Demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), including experience/ability to identify and emphasize diverse perspectives in programming, communications, and strategy.

• Minimum demonstrated proficiency or expertise developing content, messaging, and talking points that are persuasive and precise

• Proven craftsmanship in writing with demonstrated ability to think creatively, imaginatively and independently.  Ability to appropriately structure complex documents is essential with particular emphasis on effective storytelling skills as well as report, case for support, and proposal writing.  Preference given to candidates with development or fundraising experience.

• Must have the ability and self-confidence to take responsibility for producing remarks and talking points that represent the University to audiences both inside and outside the Brown community. Must demonstrate ability to present information in formal and informal settings and impart understanding of complex ideas to others.

• Ability to work independently and proactively, yet function in a collaborative team environment, exhibiting self-reliance, dependability, trustworthiness, good listening skills, and an ability to form effective working partnerships with colleagues. 

• Proficiency with basic image manipulation and graphic design experience with Adobe Photoshop

• Engage in regular professional development to remain knowledgeable about best practices in social and digital communications

• Demonstrated experience managing Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms for higher education, business, political or other clients.

• Superior interpersonal and relationship-building skills with proven ability to successfully interact and collaborate with varied constituencies in a professional manner, exhibiting excellent written and oral communication skills and demonstrating tact and diplomacy working with a wide variety of personalities.  

• High degree of professionalism, ethical sensitivity, confidentiality and discretion; proven ability to apply good judgment and responsible decision-making. 

​Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter and resume with their application. All offers of employment are contingent upon a completed criminal background check and education verification satisfactory to Brown. 

Recruiting Start Date:

2023-12-04

Job Posting Title:

Associate Director, Strategic Donor and Development Communications

Department:

Advancement

Grade:

Grade 11

Worker Type:

Employee

Worker Sub-Type:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

37.5

Position Work Location:

Hybrid Eligible

Submission Guidelines:

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any staff position at Brown University you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions you may contact employment@brown.edu .

EEO Statement:

Brown University is an E-Verify Employer.

As an EEO/AA employer , Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, and caste, which is protected by our University policies.