Associate Director, Advancement Communications

Bentley University; Waltham (MA); On-site; USD 68,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

Bentley University seeks an Associate Director, Advancement Communications to lead strategic, creative communications that engage alumni and donors. You will manage digital campaigns, email marketing, website updates, and multichannel content across events, giving campaigns, and donor relations, while ensuring brand alignment and data-driven decisions.

The role requires strong writing, project management, and collaboration skills, with experience in HTML tools, Drupal or similar CMS, and Adobe

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications/marketing or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in advancement communications, marketing, or related areas.
• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects with deadlines and dependencies.
• Experience with multichannel campaigns, digital engagement, and analytics.
• Proficiency with HTML and email design tools and CMS/web platforms.
• Ability to collaborate across teams and manage vendor relationships.
• Knowledge of Drupal or similar CMS and Adobe Creative Suite.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage advancement communications projects across print, digital, and web.
• Develop and execute multichannel communications plans to engage alumni and donors.
• Oversee content creation, proofreading, and brand alignment for campaigns.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications on design, multimedia, and analytics.
• Lead email marketing, website updates, and data-informed strategy efforts.
• Train and supervise student workers; coordinate with vendors and freelancers.

Skills

HTML email design

Project management

Copywriting

Editing

Digital analytics

Multichannel communications

Branding

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications/Marketing

Tools

Drupal

Wrike

Adobe Creative Suite

InDesign

Photoshop

Canva

HTML editors

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Associate Director, Advancement Communications helps in leadingand executing strategy for communications that enhance alumni anddonor engagement at Bentley University. Reporting to the Directorof Advancement Communications within University Advancement, thisrole collaborates with partners across the division and campus todevelop and deliver unique content and communications plans forevents, giving campaigns, affinity groups, donor relations andmore. The Associate Director is a strategic, creative, highlymotivated and deadline-oriented team member, with strongorganizational and project management skills, excellent writingskills and a keen eye for design. The Associate Director iscommitted to creating a culture of philanthropy and keeping alumniand donors connected to their alma mater.

Essential Duties

• Maintain a keen understanding of institutional strategic andfundraising priorities and ensure they are considered whiledeveloping all advancement communications, including those thatfocus on engagement.
• Partners with teams across University Advancement to create,produce and execute communications strategy and tailored campaignsto motivate engagement and giving among various audiences forevents, volunteerism, lifelong learning and philanthropy. Ensurescontent is compelling, fresh, on trend, and audience/channelappropriate.
• Responsible for independently leading and managing projects thatinclude print, digital, and web, serving both as primary projectmanager as well as content creator and executor. The role willlargely focus on digital communications including email marketingand website development and updating, but will work with multiplepartners to execute and publish high-quality, cohesive multichannelcontent. Proofs and ensures accuracy, accessibility and brandalignment.
• Manages advancement communications projects, includingcollaborations with Marketing and Communications on design ormultimedia needs. Works with the Director of AdvancementCommunications to maintain the overall Advancement Communicationsproduction schedule, making sure deadlines are met, and overseeingscheduling for strategic release and to avoid email fatigue andaudience overlap.
• Trains on and masters University Advancement platforms andtechnology, including but not limited to Slate email marketing andforms, Drupal, RGE Studio and similar html builders, and analyticstools. Stays informed on enhancements and new releases and shareswith the team.
• Collaborates with Advancement Services team on project dataneeds, submitting data requests in a timely manner and workingclosely with colleagues to ensure data is accurate and beingutilized effectively.
• Stays up to date on marketing trends and best practices,monitors performance of communications, and makesrecommendations.
• Contributes to content creation, proofing, and management ofadvancement content for Bentley Magazine as needed.
• Assist in managing freelance and external vendors, includingdesigners, photographers, printers and mail houses.
• Edit and proofread outgoing communications as needed, ensuringthat content is reviewed and approved as required prior topublication or distribution.
• Hire, train, and supervise student worker(s), providingdirection and leadership and delegating effectively on a variety ofcommunications tasks, including design, writing, data analysis, andmore.
• Identify storytelling opportunities for alumni and donorengagement and write stories or spotlights.
• Provides support for Advancement Communications team members asneeded for social media, flagship events, fundraising campaigns,etc.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least 7 years of experience inadvancement communications, marketing, or marketingcommunications.
• Strong project manager with a customer-focused approach who canwork independently, take initiative and meet deadlines andgoals.
• Demonstrated knowledge of marketing strategy for multichannel,segmented communications campaigns, including a strongunderstanding of digital engagement, analytics and data-informedstrategy development.
• Detail oriented, with excellent writing and proofreadingskills.
• Exceptional oral, written and interpersonal communicationskills.
• Proficiency and comfort working with HTML and email designtools.
• Experience creating and maintaining websites using Drupal orsimilar CMS.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop) andCanva.
• Proficiency with complex project management tools (e.g. Wrike)to optimize workflows and efficiency.
• Ability to handle confidential information with a high level ofdiscretion and sound judgement.
• Ability to produce high-quality work on deadline while managingmultiple projects, priorities and deadlines.
• Collaborative and collegial approach to working with teams;ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant experience and knowledge of the university fundraisingprofession and methods of higher education institutionaladvancement, alumni engagement and fundraising.
• Keen eye for design and ability to develop, package and producecontent for a variety of channels and mediums.
• Occasional travel or event attendance, sometimes outside ofregular business hours, to photograph events or manage freelancevendors.

Work Environment

• Typical office setting with extensive sitting and computerwork.
• Ability to travel around and outside of campus for work relatedmeetings and other work, travel may occur outside of normalbusiness hours including evenings and weekends.

Pay Transparency

At Bentley we offer a “total rewards” package designed toattract, motivate, retain, and reward our employees. This includescompetitive compensation, robust benefits, career development andopportunities, generous paid time off, workplace flexibility and apositive, engaging employee experience. In alignment with theMassachusetts Pay Transparency Act and our commitment to equity andtransparency, we’re sharing the salary grade range for this role.The grade range is based on market data and the scope ofresponsibilities. Final pay will depend on your experience,education, and other relevant qualifications.

Salary Grade Range:

$67,960 - $113,126 per year

If you have questions about the salary grade range or needadditional information, please contact us [e-mail]

Bentley University requires references checks and may conductother pre-employment screening.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Bentley University strives to create a campus community thatwelcomes the exchange of ideas, and fosters a culture that valuesdifferences and views them as a strength in our community.

Bentley University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, buildingstrength through diversity. The University is committed to buildinga community of talented students, faculty and staff who reflect thediversity of global business. We strongly encourage applicationsfrom persons from underrepresented groups, individuals withdisabilities, covered veterans and those with diverse experiencesand backgrounds.