Assistant Director of Advancement Communications

Lawrence University Department of Theatre Arts; Appleton; On-site; CAD 77,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Lawrence University in Appleton, WI seeks an Assistant Director of Advancement Communications to lead multi-channel marketing for alumni and donor engagement. You will craft compelling stories, manage email campaigns, social content, and print projects, and collaborate across campus to support fundraising priorities and university visibility.

This role requires a Bachelor’s degree, 2+ years of experience, strong writing/editing, and proficiency with email platforms and Canva for digital content.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area; private liberal arts setting preferred.
• 2+ years relevant experience in communications or advancement.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling abilities.
• Ability to craft on-brand digital content for social media and email.
• Experience with email marketing platforms.
• Experience formatting letters and managing web content.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Execute multi-channel marketing and communications plans to engage alumni and donors.
• Lead email campaigns to drive annual fund support, event registration, and affinity engagement.
• Grow and manage social media presence across platforms and develop a strategic calendar.
• Coordinate print projects and work with external vendors for campaigns.
• Provide content, editing, and coordination for alumni website and microsites.
• Support crowdfunding initiatives with marketing plans.
• Maintain and respond to the Alumni inbox with professional service.
• Support university events and special projects as required.

Skills

Writing

Editing

Copywriting

Graphic design

Social media management

Email marketing systems

Communication

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree in related area

Tools

Canva

AlumnIQ

ThankView

Job description

Assistant Director of Advancement Communications

Position Title Assistant Director of Advancement Communications

Location

Location Appleton

Department

Department Alumni & Constituency Engagement

Position Type

Position Type Staff

Position Description & Qualifications

REPORTS TO: Director of Advancement Communications

ABOUT US:

The Advancement Team connects alumni and friends with Lawrence University's mission by

• Investing in relationships,
• Matching donor and volunteer passions with university priorities, and
• Demonstrating the impact of philanthropy and volunteer engagement on our students and their Lawrence experience

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE :

As the Assistant Director of Advancement Communications you will be responsible for the execution of a multi-channel marketing and communications plan that contributes to the University's alumni and donor engagement goals. Your work will capture and share the Lawrence story in engaging and broad-reaching ways. This role will support fundraising priorities to support current and future students, steward donors, and engage our 20,000+ alumni – all while contributing to the university’s visibility and reputation as a leading liberal arts institution.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES :

Support the Advancement division’s integrated marketing and communications efforts by contributing to alumni and donor engagement through compelling storytelling across multiple channels.

• Execute email campaigns designed to drive annual fund support, event registration, and alumni affinity and connectedness.
• Manage and grow our social media presence and engagement across the Lawrence University Alumni Facebook page, LinkedIn group, and Instagram page — including developing a strategic social media content calendar and designing visually compelling posts using Canva.
• Support digital storytelling strategies with print mail campaigns, coordinating print projects through external vendors.

Serve as a primary resource with AlumnIQ, our email marketing platform, as well as ThankView, our donor stewardship email and video platform.

• Serve as a campus consultant, training other platform users to increase platform and channel effectiveness.
• Stay updated on best practices.
• Collaborate in design, content, and managing distribution of emails.
• Ensure emails align with best practices for optimal performance and accessibility.
• Provide quality assurance of email marketing efforts to ensure best practices and engagement tracking for communications across the division.

Serve as a content contributor and coordinator for the alumni website. Assist in the creation and updating of microsites, special event sites, and other web products.

Assist with writing, content generation, and editing expertise for the Advancement division.

Support crowdfund initiatives with marketing and communications plans.

Maintain the Advancement division email and event calendar, ensuring open and collaborative communication and planning amongst the various stakeholders.

Maintain and respond to communications in the Alumni inbox with exemplary customer service and representing the University in a professional and compassionate manner.

Support Advancement and University events as requested or required.

Respond to special projects and other duties as assigned.

Some evening and weekend work is required.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS :

The Assistant Director will work most closely with the Advancement Team, particularly the Alumni and Community Engagement team. Additionally, the Assistant Director will work with faculty, students, and staff across campus and the University's constituents—alumni, donors, parents, friends, and Fox Valley community members.

The Assistant Director must establish and maintain positive working relationships with other key campus offices, such as Athletics, University Communications and Student Life, as well as off campus vendors for print solicitations and email marketing efforts.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS :

• Bachelor's degree in related area with an appreciation for private, liberal arts, residential colleges.
• Two or more years relevant experience.
• Exceptional writing, communication, and editing skills, as well as accuracy and attention to detail.
• The ideal candidate will bring both copywriting and graphic design skills with the ability to create polished, on-brand digital content for social media and email.
• Familiarity with at least one major email marketing system.
• Demonstrated experience formatting letters, designing webpages, and managing social media platforms – Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram at a minimum.
• Solution oriented with a demonstrated ability to problem-solve.
• Demonstrated success in a fast-moving, multi-stakeholder environment, balancing multiple projects and priorities.
• Collaborative team player with a proactive attitude.
• Creativity, willingness to learn, and a sense of humor.
• Possess exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills i.e., concise, articulate, and confident with the ability to represent the university in a professional manner.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of all aspects of job responsibilities.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS :

Must have successful completion of criminal record check, driving record check (where applicable) and reference checks.

Lawrence University

711 East Boldt Way

Appleton, WI 54911