Assistant Director, Advancement Communications – University Advancement

ROME GROUP; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 50,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation & holidays

Health insurance

Transit benefits

Tuition assistance

Wellness programs

Job summary

Washington University in St. Louis is seeking an Assistant Director of Advancement Communications to lead a dynamic set of donor communications. This role writes high‑volume solicitation materials and helps plan an annual campaign of print and electronic pieces to advance annual giving goals.

You will collaborate with the director and teams to craft creative concepts, manage multiple projects on tight timelines, and coordinate cross‑functional communications for donor engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 2 years relevant experience.
• Exceptional creativity in higher education/non-profit contexts.

Responsibilities

• Research and write solicitation materials for a high volume of campaigns.
• Collaborate to develop concepts for direct mail and electronic solicitations.
• Manage schedules and approvals to meet deadlines.
• Build solicitation and stewardship emails for large audiences.
• Coordinate photoshoots for print and digital pieces.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Deadline management

Detail-oriented

Researching

Writing

Team collaboration

Organizing

Project management

Communication

Interpersonal interactions

Working independently

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Photoshop

Salesforce Marketing Cloud

Microsoft Word

Job description

Assistant Director, Advancement Communications – University Advancement

The Assistant Director, Advancement Communications has significant responsibility for developing and managing marketing and digital communications for Washington University’s annual giving efforts. This includes two primary areas of responsibility: a) researching and writing print and electronic solicitation materials; b) collaborating closely with Annual Giving Programs as a member of the team to plan and implement a strategic annual campaign of mail and electronic publications. These activities will result in advancing Washington University’s strategic plans to acquire and retain donors and raise tens of millions of dollars per year.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Research and write materials for a high volume of solicitations and other efforts annually. Materials include e-newsletters, letters, postcards, and broadcast emails to a variety of constituents. In collaboration with Annual Giving Programs staff and other staff, ensure solicitation materials across University Advancement meet department and university quality standards in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with the director of advancement communications, art director, and Annual Giving Programs to develop creative concepts for direct mail and electronic solicitations. Collaborate closely with Annual Giving Programs as a member of a team to plan and implement a strategic annual campaign of print and electronic publications. Provide recommendations for new strategies to effectively market fundraising efforts.
• Manage schedules and approval process for multiple projects to meet strict deadlines.
• Build solicitation and stewardship emails for large audiences, coordinating elements and timing with the art director, data analyst, and Annual Giving and Digital Strategy teams.
• In collaboration with the art director, assist with creating photos or coordinating photoshoots for print pieces, emails, and newsletters.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the director of advancement communications and assistant vice chancellor of advancement communications.

Working Conditions:

• Normal office environment.
• Travel may be required.

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at desk or table
• Typically standing or walking

Equipment

• Office equipment

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree

Work Experience:

Relevant Experience (2 Years)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Exceptional creativity demonstrated by effective communications developed for higher education, not-for-profit, or similar audiences.
• Strong research and writing skills demonstrated in feature, brochure, marketing, and/or direct mail copy.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality deliverables for multiple projects, to manage competing priorities, and to meet demanding deadlines.
• Publications Editing, Writing, Production, Or A Related Field (3 Years)

This position is located in St. Louis, MO and the targeted hiring range for this position is $49,700 – $58,000.

Skills

Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Business Priorities, Communication, Deadline Management, Detail-Oriented, Development Writing, Donor Reporting, Interpersonal Interactions, Marketing, Microsoft Word, Organizing, Project Management, Researching, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Software Program, Task Organization, Team Collaboration, Working Independently

Grade

G10

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one’s qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please [e-mail] call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.
• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.