Dev & Alumni Communications Mg

University of Northern Colorado; Colorado; On-site; USD 55,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

UNC Career Hub

Job summary

University of Northern Colorado seeks a Dev & Alumni Communications Manager to shape alumni and donor communications through strategic storytelling and multi-channel content. The role partners with Alumni Relations, Development, and central communications to elevate UNC’s brand and fundraising priorities.

The position offers a professional administrative track with opportunities to craft campaigns, manage publications, and drive engagement across audiences including alumni and supporters.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or related field.
• Minimum of three years of directly related professional experience.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Alumni communication strategy development and implementation.
• Develop development communication plans and content for campaigns and donor communications.
• Prepare content for annual fundraising campaigns (mail and email).
• Support prospect management and data practices with operations staff.
• Align alumni and development communications with central marketing plans and campaigns.
• Collaborate with campus partners to organize content and leverage materials.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or related field

Tools

CMS platforms

Social media tools

Email campaign tools

Job description

POSITION TITLE: Dev & Alumni Communications Mg
COMPENSATION RANGE: 55,000.00 - 61,800.00 USD per year
EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Professional Administrative

DEPARTMENT: Office of Alumni Relations
TARGET HIRE DATE: 10/15/2026

BENEFITS: UNC’s Career Hub

Candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of application; UNC cannot provide H-1B sponsorship at this time.

Position Summary:

The Communications Strategist, Alumni and Development plays a pivotal role in shaping how the University of Northern Colorado connects with alumni, parents, donors, and friends. Through strategic storytelling, multi-channel content marketing, and thoughtful project management, this position translates the university’s mission, impact, and philanthropic priorities into compelling communications that inspire engagement and support.

As a key member of the Division of University Advancement, the Communications Strategist partners across Alumni Relations, Development, central the Communications team to develop communications that strengthen relationships, elevate the UNC brand, and advance fundraising and engagement priorities. The position contributes directly to the success of university-wide philanthropic and engagement goals by identifying opportunities to tell meaningful stories, showcase impact, and create experiences that encourage alumni and supporters to remain connected to UNC.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Alumni and Community Relations, this role offers an opportunity for a strategic, creative communications professional to make a visible impact on the university’s relationships with its constituents and help shape the future of philanthropy and alumni engagement at UNC.

Job Duties:

30% Alumni Communication: In coordination with alumni relations staff, the position is responsible for implementing the university’s alumni communication strategy, including understanding alumni segmentation and messaging, development of alumni career profiles, creation of event and program marketing, project and publication management, and digital, social, and web-based content management for alumni and donor audiences.

30% Development: In coordination with development staff, the position is responsible for writing and preparing development communication plans and content including planned gift marketing campaigns, major gift announcements, campaign case statements, donor and fund profiles, stewardship publications.

25% Annual Giving: In coordination with annual giving staff, the position is responsible for writing and preparing communication plans and content for annual fundraising campaigns including mail and email appeals and support for annual giving programs and projects.

5% Advancement Operations: In coordination with advancement operations staff, support strong prospect management and data use practices. Requires active use of the institutional alumni and donor dataset, including submission of action notes, data requests, and central project management practices.

5% Divisional Communications: In coordination with marketing and communication staff, align all alumni and development communication with central marketing campaigns and plans. Requires active use of project management software and compliance with university communication practices and brand standards.

5% Campus Partnerships: Collaborate with campus partners to ensure alumni and donor communication is centrally organized and all content is appropriately and effectively leveraged.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or related field.

Minimum of three years of directly related professional experience.
An equivalentcombination of education and experience may be considered to satisfy theminimum requirements.

Ability:

• Expertise in persuasive writing and editing including but not limited to case statements, marketing campaigns, annual giving direct mail and e-appeals, annual reports, stewardship publications, fund-raising websites and social media, email campaigns, and fund proposals prepared for individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
• Strong storytelling skills that include writing about students, faculty, alumni, friends and donors across all platforms, from UNC Magazine and print materials to digital communications.
• Expertise in the effective use of digital and social media platforms, including web content management, broadcast email, social media, and digital campaign planning.
• Demonstrated knowledge of English grammar, business writing, punctuation, and spelling.
• Expert writing and editorial skills with the ability to effectively present ideas.
• Comprehensive knowledge of communications, publications, media and/or marketing to develop and execute print and web communication strategies to position the university for increased philanthropy and alumni involvement.
• Expert networking and interpersonal skills including strong consultative skills to work with internal and external constituents.

Benefits:
Benefits available include health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, as well as a selection of several defined contribution retirement plans for all full-time positions. Employees at UNC receive sick leave, and other leave options may be available based on position. Full-time employees are eligible to receive tuition waiver benefits, as well as dependents and spouses of UNC Employees who are employed at 0.5 FTE or above are eligible for undergraduate dependent tuition grants of up to 50%. These tuition grants will cover in-state tuition charges. Further requirements may exist. Other benefits may be available based on position.

About UNC
The University of Northern Colorado is a public doctoral/research institution located in Greeley, Colorado. UNC’s commitment to education began in 1889 and continues to be a transformational force for our students. Recognizedas a top university for social mobility, UNC is proud tobe a HispanicServing Institution and to serve more than 44% of our undergraduates who are the first in theirfamily to attend college. UNC is also committed to providing our faculty and staff with the support they need to succeed as professionals, educators, and in life. Please visit UNC’s Career Hub, to learn more about UNC’s strategic plan, school programs, and employee benefits. Go Bears!

EEO Statement
The University of Northern Colorado offers an educational and workingenvironment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the UNCcommunity. In accordance with federal and state law, UNC prohibits unlawfuldiscrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, national origin,religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, geneticinformation, and/or veteran status. UNC also prohibits discrimination based ongender identity, and gender expression. Retaliation against persons who opposea discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination, or testify for,assist in, or participate in an investigative proceeding relating todiscrimination is prohibited. Constitutionally protected expression will not beconsidered discrimination or harassment under this policy. It is theresponsibility of all departments, employees, and students to ensure UNC’scompliance with this policy.

ADA Accommodations
The University of Northern Colorado is committedto providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If yourequire reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewingor otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please directyour inquiries to 970-351-2718 or [e-mail].

Background Check
Satisfactory completion of a background check, educational check, and authorization to work in the United States is required after a conditional offer of employment has been made. The successful candidate must submit original transcripts within one (1) month of hire.
This position is contingent on funding from the Colorado State Legislature, approval by the Board of Trustees, and subject to the policies and regulations of the University of Northern Colorado.

Clery Act
In compliance with the Clery Act, the most recent University of Northern Colorado Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online. A paper copy can be requested at the UNC Police Department. This report contains crime statistics and policy statements related to safety, conduct processes and Title IX investigations.