Communications Associate

McGill University; Canada; Hybrid; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team at a leading university as a Communications Associate. You will oversee the Acknowledgements Program, enhancing donor engagement through personalized communications. This role requires strong written communication skills and attention to detail, making a significant impact on the university's philanthropic efforts.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Life Insurance

Defined Contribution Pension Plan

Group RRSP and TFSA

Competitive Vacation Policy

Tuition Waiver

Remote Work Options

Qualifications

• 3 years related experience required.
• Experience in donor relations and stewardship in fundraising.
• Ability to manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a comprehensive Acknowledgements Program for donor engagement.
• Draft acknowledgment letters for various gift amounts.
• Research and write personal correspondence for donors.

Skills

Written Communication

Detail Orientation

Teamwork

Confidentiality

Education

DEC in Literature & Communication

Undergraduate Degree in Journalism, Communications, Digital Communications, English, History, or Liberal Arts

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Please refer to the How to Apply for a Job (for External Candidates) job aid for instructions on how to apply.

If you are an active McGill employee (ie: currently in an active contract or position at McGill University), do not apply through this Career Site. Login to your McGill Workday account and apply to this posting using the Find Jobs report (type Find Jobs in the search bar).

University Advancement (UA) promotes McGill to its global community and to the public, engaging alumni, volunteers and friends of the University, and building on McGill’s record of fundraising success in support of University priorities.

By joining UA, you can be part of a dynamic, exciting and growing team of professionals that is making an extraordinary impact on the world by advancing the philanthropic and engagement ambitions of McGill University.

To find out more about UA, please visit us at www.mcgill.ca/advancement/ua-careers .

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Donor Communications Manager, the Communications Associate will oversee a comprehensive Acknowledgements Program in support of the Office of the Principal and Vice-Chancellor, the Office of the VP Advancement, and other University Advancement (UA) Units. The incumbent will provide guidance on processes and best practices with respect to gift acknowledgements for partners across the University and within UA.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Oversee a comprehensive Acknowledgements Program to deepen donor engagement and strengthen relationships between the University’s donors and prospects and McGill. This includes, but is not limited to, researching information pertaining to the donor and their gift and creating acknowledgement letters of $100K-$249,999 gifts from the VP of University Advancement and acknowledgment letters from the Principal for gifts of $250K-$999,999, drafting ad-hoc acknowledgements ($1K-$99,999) on behalf of the VP University Advancement and creating letters for university-wide gifts of $25K - $99K.

• Provide information and expertise on gift acknowledgement standards and best practices for all colleagues located centrally in Advancement and throughout all decentralized units. Ensure the Acknowledgement Program policies and procedures are updated based on best practices within the industry and in accordance with then unit’s business needs.

• Liaise with prospect managers to provide support in drafting acknowledgement letters and to ensure that strategically considered, high-quality acknowledgment letters are delivered in a timely fashion.

• Research and write personal customized correspondence on behalf of the Principal and Vice-Chancellor and Vice-Principal, University Advancement, this may include, but is not limited to, drafting congratulatory notes, letters of condolences and other general correspondences addressed to donors and prospects.

• Provide guidance to a work-study student in the execution of mailing and ad-hoc projects, including drafting initial letters, data maintenance, mailing, and preparation of other materials.

• Undertake special projects and perform related duties.

Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities:

• DEC in Literature & Communication.

• Undergraduate Degree Journalism, Communications, Digital Communications, English, History, or Liberal Arts a preferred asset.

• Demonstrated understanding and experience of the function of donor relations and stewardship in fundraising.

• Work experience in advancement communications, marketing communications or journalism.

• Excellent written communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment and to manage multiple projects within tightly prescribed timetables.

• High detail orientation. Demonstrated ability to monitor and double-check work and information for accuracy and quality.

• Demonstrated ability to work in a PC environment using MS Office.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and work with sensitive information; evidence of initiative, independent judgment, tact, diplomacy, creativity, curiosity, and tenacity.

• Ability to work as part of a team and the ability to manage relationships with a diverse group of colleagues with differing mandates and objectives.

• Ability to work collegially in a decentralized organization.

• English and French, spoken and written.

Additional Information:

Testing may be administered.

As one of Montreal's Top Employers, here is what we offer:

• Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance) (if eligible)

• Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%) (if eligible)

• Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)

• Competitive vacation policy

• Two (2) personal days

• Two (2) floating holidays

• Nine (9) "Summer Fridays" - paid days off between the St-Jean Baptiste holiday and Labour Day

• Paid time off over the December holiday period

• Tuition waver for regular employees and their dependents

• Up to two (2) days of remote work per week where the position permits

Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.

Knowledge of English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level 4 on a scale of 0-4. For a definition of our language proficiency levels, please click here.

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Minimum Education and Experience:

DEC III 3 Years Related Experience /

Hourly Salary:

(MUNACA Level G) $31.19 - $38.65

Hours per Week:

33.75 (Full time)

Supervisor:

Donor Communications Manager

Position End Date (If applicable):

Deadline to Apply:

2025-05-23

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [e-mail].