Director, Advancement Communications & Donor Engagement

Loyola Marymount University; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Loyola Marymount University seeks a Director of Advancement Communications to provide strategic leadership for the university’s advancement communications program, guiding multi-channel campaigns that support fundraising, alumni engagement, and donor stewardship.

Reporting to the Vice President for Communications and Public Relations, the director will lead a team of professionals, partner with University Advancement, and ensure communications align with institutional priorities while leveraging

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred, in marketing, communications, or business management preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of nonprofit/education communications experience with increasing responsibility.
• Experience leading fundraising communications and campus campaigns.
• Experience managing staff and contractors.
• Strong ability to collaborate across divisions and influence stakeholders.
• Fluency with digital platforms, email, web, social, and analytics.
• Experience using AI-enabled tools with ethical governance.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive advancement communications strategies.
• Support fundraising campaigns, donor pipeline development, and board relations.
• Manage integrated visual identity, social media schedules, and production calendars.
• Partner with university operations and tech teams to leverage data and platforms for integrated strategies.
• Direct a team of communications and creative professionals; hire, supervise and train staff and contractors.
• Coach team members to maximize creativity, productivity, and effectiveness.
• Ensure quality and alignment with priorities; measure outcomes and report progress.
• Produce, edit, and approve print and digital communications and marketing collateral.
• Develop video productions, event promotions, fundraising communications, and campaigns across channels.
• Lead campaign messaging, audience segmentation, and donor journeys across print, digital, web, email, social, and events.
• Develop personalized communications across the donor/alumni lifecycle for principal gifts and stewardship.
• Use insights and analytics to optimize segmentation, messaging, and fundraising outcomes.
• Ensure governance, privacy, ethics, and human oversight in all activities.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Team management

Communications writing

Analytics & reporting

AI tools awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Loyola Marymount University seeks a Director of Advancement Communications to provide strategic leadership for the university’s advancement communications program, guiding multi-channel campaigns that support fundraising, alumni engagement, and donor stewardship.

Reporting to the Vice President for Communications and Public Relations, the director will lead a team of professionals, partner with University Advancement, and ensure communications align with institutional priorities while leveraging