Assistant Director of Alumni Communications & Engagement

Aurora University; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurora University is seeking an Assistant Director of Alumni Communications & Engagement to collaborate on communications and essential projects for the Office of Philanthropy & Engagement (OPE) with University Marketing Communications. You will help raise visibility, engage alumni, and support annual giving initiatives.

The role focuses on writing, copy development, and managing campaigns across digital and print channels, while coordinating events and donor outreach.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• At least three years of successful experience in higher education or non-profits.
• Experience with writing copy, marketing basics, and communication platforms like Constant Contact.
• Ability to manage multiple projects/functions to produce quality results in a fast-paced environment.
• Project management experience and strong interpersonal skills.
• Experience working with data to inform decisions and collaborate effectively.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and commitment to diversity.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate on alumni communications and engagement campaigns via email, direct mail, phone, online giving, social media, and digital outreach.
• Serve as campus expert for Give Campus platform for annual giving, events, and outreach.
• Act as liaison between OPE and University Marketing Communications for messaging and branding.
• Develop tools, processes, and materials to support alumni engagement, peer-to-peer fundraising, and donor stewardship.
• Develop OPE communications and manage digital/print projects.
• Manage the content calendar for OPE communications and assist with donor engagement initiatives and events.

Skills

Copywriting

Marketing basics

Constant Contact

Project management

Data-driven decisions

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Organizational skills

Verbal & written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Experience in higher education or non-profits

Tools

Constant Contact

Give Campus

Basecamp

Job description

The Assistant Director of Alumni Communications & Engagement is responsible for collaborating on communications and other essential projects on behalf of the Office of Philanthropy & Engagement (OPE) with University Marketing Communications. This role executes strategies to raise the visibility of the University and to increase engagement and annual giving with key audiences.

Core Competencies:

1. Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers and the community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University.
2. Upholds the Mission Statement: Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As a teaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and examined lives. Our singular goal is to empower our students to achieve lasting personal and professional success.
3. Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
4. Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned, including voluntary participation in university committees, activities and events.

1. Collaborates with University partners on philanthropic and engagement communications via email, direct mail, phone, online giving, social media and targeted digital outreach to execute effective solicitation and engagement campaigns.
2. Serves as the campus expert for Give Campus, the platform used for annual giving, events, and outreach.
3. Serves as the liaison between OPE and University Marketing Communications, ensuring alignment and collaboration on messaging, branding, and promotional strategies for fundraising, alumni engagement, and donor stewardship initiatives.
4. Develops tools, processes, procedures, policies and materials to support the alumni engagement and annual giving program, peer-to-peer fundraising efforts, and campus partners to ensure a seamless and positive donor experience.
5. Develops OPE communications.
6. Researches, writes, and edits a variety of communications, publications, and reports.
7. Develops and manages digital and print communications projects.
8. Manages the content calendar for OPE communications.
9. Acts as content development resource for OPE.
10. Assists with implementing a comprehensive annual giving program to acquire, retain, and upgrade annual donors.
11. Assists with coordinating alumni engagement and annual giving initiatives including the AU Day of Generosity, local and regional events, and affinity-based campaigns.
12. Assists with event logistics, including onsite support for registration.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• At least three years of successful experience within higher education or non-profits.

• Experience with writing copy, with basics of marketing, and with communication platforms like Constant Contact.
• Ability to manage multiple projects/functions to produce quality results in a fast-paced environment.
• Project management experience.
• Experience working with data to inform decisions.
• Strong interpersonal skills necessary to build relationships with internal and external constituents.
• Ability to work collaboratively and as a team player.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering a diverse working and learning environment.
• Strong organizational and detail-orientation skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within higher education.
• Basic knowledge of fundraising principles, best practices, methods, and standards.
• An understanding of relational databases and report-writing systems.
• Experience with project management tools like Basecamp.
• Experience with Give Campus.
• Knowledge of annual giving and alumni engagement best practices.