Advancement Marketing Director

Cornerstone University; Grand Rapids (MI); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, MI, seeks an Advancement Marketing Director to develop and execute integrated fundraising and marketing strategies. The role focuses on donor acquisition, retention, and engagement, including the annual campaign, donor communications, and multi-channel fundraising initiatives.

The director will combine data-driven fundraising with compelling storytelling, aligning advancement efforts with the university's Christ-centered mission and biblical worldview.

Qualifications

• Personal relationship with Jesus Christ and active Christian commitment.
• Affirmation of Cornerstone University doctrinal statement and confessions.
• Ability to lead and mentor within a Christian university environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement annual giving strategies to increase participation and revenue.
• Plan multi-channel fundraising campaigns (mail, email, social, digital) and donor communications.
• Oversee advancement marketing, storytelling, and donor-centered messaging across channels.
• Collaborate with university marketing to align advancement goals with institutional priorities.
• Utilize CRM data to analyze donor behavior and campaign performance.

Skills

Christian faith

Biblical worldview

Leadership

Job description

Position Title: Advancement Marketing Director

Classification: Full-time, exempt

Reports To: Vice President for Advancement

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Position Summary

The Advancement Marketing Director is responsible for developing and executing integrated fundraising and marketing strategies in enthusiastic support of university priorities and initiatives. The objectives include increasing donor acquisition, retention, engagement, and philanthropic support including focused effort on the university annual campaign. This position serves as a key partner within the Advancement team and proactive collaborator and liaison with university marketing and WCSG, leading annual giving campaigns, donor communications, digital fundraising initiatives, and advancement marketing efforts that strengthen relationships with alumni, donors, parents, friends, and community stakeholders.

The director combines data-driven fundraising practices with compelling storytelling and multi-channel marketing strategies to advance the institution's philanthropic goals and enhance donor experiences. The core of Cornerstone University is defined and driven by its Christ-centered mission and Biblical confession.

Key Responsibilities

Annual Giving Strategy & Campaign Management

• Develop and implement comprehensive annual giving strategies to increase participation and philanthropic revenue.
• Plan and execute multi-channel fundraising campaigns, including direct mail, email, social media, text messaging, digital advertising, crowdfunding, and giving day initiatives.
• Manage donor acquisition, retention, reactivation, and upgrade strategies.
• Collaborate with advancement leadership to establish annual fundraising goals and campaign priorities.
• Monitor campaign performance and adjust strategies to maximize results.

Advancement Marketing & Communications

• Create and manage integrated marketing plans to support fundraising priorities and advancement initiatives.
• Develop compelling donor-centered messaging, stories, and calls to action.
• Oversee the production of fundraising appeals, newsletters, donor impact reports, web content, videos, and social media materials.
• Ensure consistent branding and messaging across all advancement communications.
• Partner with university marketing and communications teams to align advancement efforts with institutional priorities.
• Manage digital fundraising programs and online giving experiences.
• Optimize donor journeys through email marketing automation, personalized communications, and segmentation strategies.
• Support giving days, crowdfunding campaigns, and peer-to-peer fundraising initiatives.
• Identify emerging digital fundraising trends and implement innovative engagement opportunities.

Data Analysis & Performance Management

• Utilize CRM and fundraising platforms to analyze donor behavior and campaign effectiveness.
• Develop reports and dashboards to measure fundraising and marketing performance.
• Track key metrics including participation rates, response rates, donor retention, acquisition costs, engagement, and return on investment.
• Leverage data insights to inform strategy and improve donor engagement outcomes.
• Work closely with major gifts, alumni engagement, donor relations, stewardship, and communications teams.
• Coordinate campaign calendars, project timelines, and production schedules.
• Manage relationships with vendors, agencies, and external partners as needed.
• Ensure all projects are completed on time, within budget, and aligned with strategic objectives.
• All Cornerstone University and WCSG employees will regularly interact with students and listeners in a variety of settings. As such all employees are expected to serve as Christian leaders and mentors by effectively living a gospel-centered lifestyle, ministering and discipling through a biblical worldview.
• Other duties may be assigned.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• A personal relationship with Jesus Christ and an active Christian commitment.
• A theology that supports the values and mission of Cornerstone University core commitments evidenced by an ability to affirm and sign the university’s doctrinal statement, “The Cornerstone Confession.”
• Four other foundational pillars, along with the university’s mission and confession, form Cornerstone’s Core Commitments.
  • The Cornerstone Christian World View
  • The Cornerstone Academic Vision
  • The Cornerstone Beautiful Christian Community
  • The Marriage and Human Sexuality Position Statement

These core commitments convey who we are, what we believe and how we live and work together in community. Employees are expected to faithfully attend an evangelical and biblical church whose core beliefs and practices are consistent with Cornerstone’s confession and core commitments.