Advancement Communications Specialist

Calvin University; United States; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Calvin University is seeking an Advancement Communications Specialist to craft and manage compelling stories across social media, email, print, and web channels. The role collaborates with Marketing and Communications, conducts audience research, and measures impact using analytics to inform strategy.

The position involves some graphic design using Canva, supports alumni and advancement programming, and may require occasional evenings or weekends.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university.
• 1-3 years of related or transferable experience in writing, communications, digital media, or marketing.
• Flexible schedule to accommodate occasional weekend, evening work, and travel.
• Preference given to those with Salesforce and Marketing Cloud experience.
• Photography experience and skills are a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and craft messaging across multiple channels with Calvin University Marketing and Communications.
• Coordinate and maintain long-range planning of future Advancement communication publications and content.
• Research, create, schedule, publish, and evaluate engaging digital and social content using analytics.
• Develop, write, and produce emails, invitations, brochures, programs, social posts, websites, and calendars.
• Identify usability challenges across websites and emails; recommend improvements to navigation and accessibility.
• Monitor engagement metrics to inform continuous improvement of strategies.
• Recommend, design, source, and order merchandise and promotional items aligned with the mission.

Skills

Digital communications

Social media

Content management systems

Data analytics

Writing and editing

Project management

UX principles

Brand standards

Canva

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Salesforce

Marketing Cloud

Email platforms

CMS (content management systems)

Job description

Job Title: Advancement Communications Specialist Department: Alumni & Family, and Donor Engagement Division: Advancement Supervisor: Executive Director of Alumni, Family and Donor Engagement Status: Exempt, Full-time FTE: 1.0

Job Summary: Join the Advancement Division as a Communication Specialist and help bring meaningful stories, connections, and opportunities to life through strategic, effective, and digitally relevant communications. This position is responsible for researching, coordinating, creating, publishing, and evaluating content across social media platforms, multiple email channels, print pieces, and other cross-channel communications. The role incorporates some applied graphic design elements, including the use of Canva. The position stewards usability and end-user experience across various communication platforms. As needed, the position provides secondary support for alumni and advancement programming and events. The Advancement Division consists of Alumni and Family Engagement, Development, The January Series, and the Calvin Academy for Lifelong Learning (CALL).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (other duties as assigned):

• Working in coordination with Calvin University Marketing and Communications, serve as primary coordinator for Advancement Division efforts to craft, write, and implement effective messaging through multiple communication channels.
• Coordinate and maintain long-range planning of future Advancement communication publications and content.
• Research, create, schedule, publish, and evaluate engaging digital and social media content using current best practices, platform analytics, and audience insights.
• Responsible for the development, writing, and production of selected communications pieces including emails, invitations, brochures, programs, social media posts, websites, calendar pages, and recognition materials.
• Identify end-user experience and usability challenges across websites, email journeys, and communication instructions; recommend and implement improvements to navigation, clarity, and accessibility.
• Monitor engagement metrics and trends to inform continuous improvement of communication strategies.
• Recommend, design, source, and order merchandise and promotional items that are trendy, stylish, mission-aligned, and impactful.

Supervisory Responsibilities: As needed, coordinates the schedule and oversees the responsibilities of staff, student workers, and volunteers for specific events.

Competency/Skill Requirements:

• Proven familiarity with digital communications, social media platforms, content management systems, data analysis, web standards, and accessibility guidelines.
• Strong ability to research audiences and trends, translate insights into compelling content, and assess effectiveness through analytics.
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills with careful attention to accuracy and tone.
• Strong organizational, project management, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, exercise good judgment in setting priorities, and manage multiple deadlines.
• Ability to apply basic graphic design skills while following established brand standards; experience using Canva or similar design tools.
• Demonstrated understanding of basic user experience (UX) principles and usability best practices.
• Must have discretion in handling confidential information with sensitivity, diplomacy, and professionalism.
• Committed to providing world-class hospitality with a positive, cooperative, servant’s heart.
• Creative, motivated, and enthusiastic, with a collaborative and solution-oriented mindset.

Education, Experience, and other Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university.
• 1-3 years of related or transferable experience in writing, communications, digital media, or marketing.
• Flexible schedule to accommodate occasional weekend, evening work, and overnight travel.
• Preference given to those with Salesforce and Marketing Cloud experience.
• Photography experience and skills are a plus but not required.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work in this position is performed within routine office conditions, usually without exposure to hazardous or unpleasant conditions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical Demands Include: Lifting and carrying of 5-20 lbs. or more Visual Demands Include: Ability for proofreading and checking documents for accuracy The use of a keyboard for entering and retrieving data.

FAITH and EDUCATIONAL COMMITMENT

• 1. Commitment to the educational mission of Calvin as a Christian liberal arts University affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church.
• 2. A commitment to the Christian faith and to the integration of faith, learning, and student development.

DIVERSITY COMMITMENT

Demonstrated awareness and commitment to effectively establishing relationships and positive communication across multiple dimensions of diversity including, but not limited to, race, gender, physical limitations, class, or religious perspectives.

Founded in 1876, Calvin University is a top-ranked, liberal arts institution that equips its more than 3,600 students from 48 U.S. states, 55 countries, and five Canadian provinces to think deeply, to act justly, and to live wholeheartedly as Christ’s agents of renewal in the world. Calvin offers 100+ majors and programs, including a growing portfolio of graduate-level offerings. Calvin students engage in intensive internships, community-based service learning, and significant research that results in publishing and presenting alongside world-class faculty. The university’s 400-acre campus is in the vibrant city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Discover more at www.calvin.edu.