Assist Dir of Advancement Comms & Content

Published: 6/14/2022

Job Description

Position Overview:

The Assistant Director of Advancement Communications and Content plays a key role in bringing Merrimack College’s advancement communications, alumni engagement, donor relations and comprehensive campaign strategies to life through compelling content and high-quality execution.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Advancement Communications, Marketing and Campaign Director, the Assistant Director develops content that engages alumni, donors, parents, prospects and other key audiences; demonstrates the impact of philanthropy; highlights student and alumni success; and advances the goals of Merrimack’s comprehensive fundraising campaign, Together We Rise.

Working from communications, marketing and campaign strategies established by the Associate Vice President, the Assistant Director produces stories, digital and social content, email communications, publications, donor communications and other Advancement materials. The position requires an excellent writer and storyteller who can identify strong content opportunities, manage multiple projects and deadlines, and collaborate effectively across the Office of Development and Alumni Relations and the College.

Primary Responsibilities

Content Development and Storytelling

Develop compelling content supporting Merrimack’s fundraising, alumni engagement, donor relations, stewardship and campaign priorities.
Write and edit stories featuring students, alumni, donors, faculty, research, career outcomes, athletics, mission and community impact.
Identify stories that showcase meaningful student and alumni outcomes and connect those outcomes to donor investment and College priorities.
Interview students, alumni, donors, faculty, staff and College leaders to develop authentic and engaging stories.
Translate institutional priorities, programs, data and outcomes into clear, audience-focused communications.
Adapt content for use across email, web, social media, publications and other Advancement channels.

Campaign, Donor and Alumni Communications

Support communications and marketing for Merrimack College’s comprehensive fundraising campaign, Together We Rise.
Develop campaign stories, donor communications, digital content, presentations and other materials based on established campaign strategy and messaging.
Support communications surrounding campaign priorities, leadership gifts, milestones, announcements and celebrations.
Develop donor-centered communications that demonstrate philanthropic impact and inspire continued engagement and investment.
Create content that strengthens alumni connection to Merrimack and encourages deeper engagement, volunteer involvement and philanthropy.
Ensure campaign, donor and alumni communications are accurate, audience-focused and consistent with Merrimack’s voice and brand.

Digital, Social and Publications

Develop digital and social content that demonstrates philanthropic impact, showcases student and alumni success and outcomes, celebrates donors and alumni, and advances fundraising and campaign priorities.
Write and produce Advancement email and web content for alumni, donors, parents, prospects and other constituent audiences.
Create and manage content for the Office of Development and Alumni Relations social media platforms.
Repurpose long-form stories and other Advancement content across digital channels.
Support the planning, writing and manage the production of Advancement publications, including the quarterly Merrimack Magazine.
Coordinate interviews, photography, video and other creative assets needed to support Advancement content.
Monitor content performance and help identify opportunities to strengthen audience engagement.

Event Communications and Project Management

Develop communications and materials supporting campaign events, donor gatherings, alumni programs and other Advancement events.
Produce invitations, programs, presentations, scripts, signage, web content and pre- and post-event communications.
Support storytelling and messaging that reinforce fundraising, campaign and alumni engagement priorities.
Help implement the Advancement editorial and communications calendar.
Manage multiple content projects, approvals and deadlines to ensure high-quality and timely execution.
Maintain organized libraries of stories, testimonials, photography, data, campaign proof points and donor-impact content.

Collaboration

Work closely with the Associate Vice President for Advancement Communications, Marketing and Campaign Director to execute Advancement communications, marketing and campaign strategies.
Collaborate with colleagues across Development, Alumni Relations, Advancement Services and other College departments to identify and develop compelling stories and content.
Partner with communications, marketing, digital and creative teams across the College to ensure coordination and consistency with institutional brand standards.
Work with photographers, videographers, designers, freelancers and other external partners as needed.
Contribute to a collaborative, creative and highly responsive Advancement culture.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, English or a related field.
Minimum of 3–5 years of professional experience in communications, content development, marketing, journalism, public relations, advancement communications or a related area.
Exceptional writing, editing and storytelling skills across a variety of audiences, formats and channels.
Strong interviewing and research skills and the ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging content.