Advancement Communications Specialist

Gonzaga University Careers; Spokane (WA); Hybrid; USD 64,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Gonzaga University in Spokane is seeking an Advancement Communications Specialist to plan and execute integrated communications for alumni engagement, philanthropy, and stewardship. You will craft multi-channel content across print, digital, social media, and email, coordinating with MarCom and campus partners.

The role requires strong writing, strategic communications, and project management, with a focus on analytics and audience segmentation to improve engagement and fundraising outcomes.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of related experience in communications or alumni relations.
• Bachelor's Degree required.

Responsibilities

• Develops integrated communications to advance alumni engagement and giving across print, digital, social, and email.
• Produces content for alumni volunteers, awards submissions, and donor-related materials.
• Collaborates with MarCom to align content with brand voice and strategic goals.

Skills

Excellent writing

Editorial skills

Strategic communications

Digital marketing

Social media management

Content storytelling

Data analysis

Project management

Collaboration

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Title: Advancement Communications Specialist

VP Area: Alumni Relations

Department: Alumni Association

Work Schedule: Fixed daytime hours Monday-Friday

Telework Availability: On-Site with occasional telework available

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Employee Classification: Regular full-time (staff 30+ hours)

Hours per week: 40

Months per year: 12

Job Purpose

The Advancement Communications Specialist is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing integrated communications strategies that advance alumni engagement, philanthropy (development), stewardship, constituent experience and institutional priorities across University Advancement. The position develops and manages multi-channel communications campaigns, storytelling initiatives, constituent journeys and engagement strategies across print, digital, social, email, SMS, web and emerging platforms.
Working collaboratively with the Office of Marketing and Communications, and all departments within University Advancement (Alumni Relations, Annual Giving, Development, Planned Giving, Donor Relations etc.) the Specialist helps ensure coordinated communications planning, audience-centered messaging, brand consistency and measurable engagement outcomes.

Essential Functions

• 40% - Alumni Engagement Communications & Content Strategy
  • Develops and coordinates integrated communications that support alumni engagement, giving, stewardship and connect overall alumni experience to Advancement priorities.
  • Produces unique content in support of stewarding top alumni volunteers, including but not limited to letters, biographies, award submissions and honorary degree statements.
  • Regularly meets and works with colleagues in the Office of Marketing and Communications (MarCom) to align alumni content with strategic communications goals;
    • Coordinates communications content and calendars and follows brand voice, positioning and guidelines.
  • Partners with Alumni Relations staff, volunteers and regional leaders to coordinate communications supporting regional chapters, affinity communities, volunteer engagement and geographically based programming.
• 40% - Digital Communications
  • Develops strategies, plans and content for digital marketing campaigns across University Advancement's digital entities (social media, email, SMS and web) in support of Advancement goals (specifically, alumni engagement and annual giving participation).
  • Develops and implements a social media strategy that contributes to overall Advancement communication goals and strategies.
  • Nurtures, cultivates and engages GU alumni across various online communities;
    • Serves as Alumni Relations \"voice\" in responding to comments and engagement with the platforms.
  • Acquires new fans and followers and retains existing fans and followers.
  • Develops creative messages and innovative engagement campaigns for use in social media and digital platforms.
  • Develops and coordinates social media content, ads and other promotions in partnership with MarCom, contributing to a shared content calendar to ensure optimal coordination of messaging.
  • Measures, tracks and reports on the effectiveness of digital campaigns and develop actionable best practices for improving performance, including engagement metrics and conversions.
  • Collaborates with Advancement Operations and CRM stakeholders to support constituent segmentation, communications automation, audience management, engagement reporting and lifecycle communication strategies.
  • Serves as University Advancement’s lead social content manager, responsible for the creation and curation of social media content for Alumni Relations to be shared on all social channels.
  • Travels to GU events as needed to provide social media coverage (writing posts, taking/editing photos, and producing video), including out-of-town events as well as weekend and evening activities.
• 20% - Special Project Communications
  • Works with Advancement colleagues to identify communications priorities, coordinate schedules, reduce message overlap and improve constituent experience across engagement and fundraising efforts.
  • Writes and produces communications materials for annual giving appeals and efforts in support of fundraising goals and donor acknowledgements.
  • Acts as liaison between University Advancement and MarCom colleagues and advocates for content strategy, channel placement and timing of Alumni and Annual Giving content.
  • Supports executive communications initiatives including presidential engagement events, cultivation activities, leadership messages, strategic updates, speeches, presentations and communications associated with institutional priorities.

• Additional Duties as Assigned by the Department

Educational Requirement

• Bachelor's Degree

Years of Related Experience Requirement

• 5 years
• In lieu of the educational qualifications, candidates may qualify with equivalent professional experience at a ratio of one year of experience for each year of required education.

Certifications and/or Licensures

• None

Skills & Abilities

• Exceptional Written and Verbal Communication: Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with the ability to develop compelling content for diverse audiences, including executive leadership, alumni, and university stakeholders.
• Strategic Communications: Ability to develop and execute comprehensive communication strategies and campaigns that align with institutional goals, strengthen alumni engagement, and support fundraising initiatives.
• Digital Marketing and Social Media Management: Proficiency in managing digital communication channels, including social media, email marketing, and websites, with an understanding of audience engagement strategies and best practices.
• Content Development and Storytelling: Demonstrated ability to create engaging, creative, and audience-specific content across multiple platforms while maintaining consistent institutional branding and messaging.
• Data Analysis and Performance Measurement: Ability to monitor, analyze, and report on digital campaign performance, utilizing engagement metrics and analytics to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Collaboration and Relationship Management: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with university leadership, alumni, internal departments, and external stakeholders.
• Project Management and Organization: Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple communication projects, prioritize competing deadlines, and coordinate initiatives across departments while maintaining attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in higher education, alumni relations, fundraising, or marketing.
• Proficiency with Salesforce, Blackbaud, or similar CRM platforms, as well as Marketing Cloud or other integrated email marketing systems.
• Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or comparable graphic design tools.
• Familiarity with social media management platforms, such as Sprout Social or similar tools.
• Demonstrated knowledge of digital marketing strategies and platforms, including Google Ads and Meta Ads. Relevant digital marketing certifications are strongly preferred.

Physical & On-Campus Requirements

In-Office Presence - Ability to work on-site in typical office setting and participate in in-person meetings with colleagues: 5 days/week

Standing/Sitting - Ability to remain in a stationary position for a prolonged period: Often (50%-75% of time)

Walking - Ability to move about on foot to accomplish tasks: Often (50%-75% of time)

Lifting/Carrying - Ability to move or transport objects up to a specified weight (e.g., 50 pounds): Rarely (1%-49% of time)

Cognitive Requirements:

Attention to Detail - Ability to focus on detailed tasks for extended periods: Daily (>75% of time)

Problem-Solving - Ability to identify and resolve issues effectively: Daily (>75% of time)

The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to offer for this position: $71,280

Pay Range

Minimum Salary (Non-Exempt): 34.27

Midpoint Salary (Non-Exempt): 42.83

Maximum Salary (Non-Exempt): 51.4

Is this position eligible for relocation reimbursement?: No

Is this position eligible for a signing bonus?: No

At this time, the University has suspended all new H1B visa sponsorships.

Career Framework Classification: Career Framework is Gonzaga’s staff job framework, which identifies the market-based job and level to which each position at the university aligns. Current Gonzaga employees can view the entirety of the Career Framework in ZagPathways.