Advancement Communications Manager

Cornell College; Iowa, Northern (LA, KY); Hybrid; USD 38,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

HSA & FSA

403(b) retirement

Job summary

Cornell College is seeking an Advancement Communications Manager to execute donor and alumni communications and stewardship across multiple platforms. You will develop systems to measure effectiveness and ensure operations run efficiently, while maintaining data integrity and coordinating with ACA staff.

The role demands strong organization, attention to detail, and proficiency with donor management tools. A flexible, tech-savvy mindset will support outreach, events, and fundraising initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 1–3 years coordinating projects, communications, operations, or related functions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to analyze data and use metrics to inform decisions.

Responsibilities

• Oversee creation and publication of digital advancement communications.
• Develop a tracking system for communication analytics and inform solicitations.
• Assist with proofreading advancement communications and social media strategy.
• Lead social media content planning and execution for alumni engagement.

Skills

Strong written communication

Organizational skills

Project coordination

Data analysis

Office suite proficiency

Google/Microsoft proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Raiser's Edge NXT

Canva

Microsoft Designer

CRM systems

Kanbanchi PM

Google Docs/Sheets

Job description

Job Category: Fundraising and Development

Requisition Number: ADVAN001417

• Full-Time

Locations

Showing 1 location

Description

Cornell College invites applications for the position of Advancement Communications Manager. The communications manager is a key executor within the Office of Alumni & College Advancement (ACA), responsible for the technical execution of donor and alumni communications and stewardship processes. This role ensures that all advancement communications, events, and fundraising operations run efficiently across multiple platforms. They will also develop systems to track and measure the effectiveness of communications efforts. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and technologically proficient, with expertise in donor engagement systems, data integrity, and operational efficiency.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee the creation and publication of digital advancement communications, including but not limited to email, newsletters, text messages, video messages, social media, etc.
• Develop and maintain a tracking system for communication analytics and share quarterly with ACA staff to inform solicitations and engagement efforts. Analyze data across segments and provide strategic recommendations.
• Assist in proofreading advancement communications
• Assist in the development of ACA social media strategy with the director and other team members.
• Lead, write, and develop social media (FB, IG, LinkedIn) content, planning, scheduling, and execution for Advancement initiatives, including alumni engagement, donor stewardship, annual giving, and planned giving efforts, which includes managing departmental social media calendars and campaign schedules, coordinating messaging and content delivery across multiple audiences and priorities.
• Create branded graphics and multimedia assets as needed to support communications efforts.
• Serve as the back-up for the ACA phone line to field calls from constituents, answer questions, and redirect requests as needed.
• Manage stationery supply and office supplies for the ACA.
• Serve as building manager, coordinating requests for Facilities, Custodial, and Campus Safety partners.
• Lead the resolution of technical issues with IT or outside vendors.
• Assist the AVP for Alumni and College Advancement as required
• Assist with daily receipting and gift acknowledgments for all incoming gifts to ensure the task is completed within 48 hours of gift receipt.
• Assist with processing death files of alumni who have passed, writing condolence cards, and notifying appropriate parties on campus as needed.
• Collect and manage student availability, develop work schedules, and serve as the primary liaison for communication and task delegation using the Kanbanchi project management system.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 1 - 3 years of experience coordinating projects, communications, operations, marketing, advancement, alumni relations, or related functions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Proficiency with Google and Microsoft software suites, particularly mail, docs, spreadsheets and virtual meeting platforms
• Ability to analyze data and use metrics to evaluate communication effectiveness and inform decision‑making.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling donor and alumni information.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.

Preferred Skills

• Experience working in higher education, advancement, development, fundraising, alumni relations, or a nonprofit organization.
• Experience managing and creating email marketing, digital communications, and social media platforms.
• Experience using CRM or donor management systems such as Raiser's Edge NXT.
• Basic knowledge of fundraising, donor stewardship, and constituent engagement best practices.
• Familiarity with Canva, Microsoft Designer, or similar content‑creation tools

Working Conditions
Work is performed primarily while seated in an office environment with some walking from building to building for various meetings. Cornell College complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail].

Cornell employees enjoy a fantastic benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, HSA & FSA accounts, a TIAA 403(b) retirement account, and tuition remission and exchange for employees and dependents. The college also offers life insurance, disability insurance, travel insurance, and accident insurance. And, all full‑time staff begin with a 4‑week vacation accrual along with 14.5 paid holidays per year. The hiring pay range for this position is $38,000 - $40,000.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from underrepresented groups. Cornell complies with Iowa's Smoke‑free Air Act. Cornell utilizes E‑Verify and requires the satisfactory completion of a background check.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.