Executive Director, Marketing & Communications ARD

Northwestern University; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 165,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Northwestern University in Evanston seeks an Executive Director of Marketing and Communications to lead an integrated strategy for Alumni Relations and Development worldwide. You will guide marketing, content development, and media relations while aligning with Northwestern’s brand and fundraising goals across multiple channels.

Reporting to ARD leadership, you will supervise content, design, and project management teams, collaborate with frontline fundraisers, and drive campaigns for donor

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 15+ years in strategic marketing and/or communications.
• Proven success in higher education or nonprofit marketing.
• Experience leading large marketing/content programs.
• Experience supervising staff (5+ years).

Responsibilities

• Lead integrated marketing and communications strategy for ARD globally.
• Oversee content development, editorial direction, and brand messaging.
• Manage content teams of 10 staff; supervise freelancers as needed.
• Coordinate media relations and issues management.
• Partner with leadership on fundraising campaigns and donor engagement.

Skills

Strategic marketing

Content strategy

Media relations

Team leadership

Project management

Brand strategy

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree

Job description

Department: Alumni Relations & Development

Salary/Grade: EXS/13

The target budgeted salary for this position is $165,000 to $180,000 annually. Offers will be based on candidate experience and education, as well as equity within Northwestern University.

Job Summary

The Executive Director, Marketing and Communications is responsible for driving an integrated marketing and communications strategy that informs, inspires, and engages the audiences of Northwestern Alumni Relations and Development (ARD) around the world. The Executive Director leads marketing and communications strategy as well as content strategy, development (editorial and design), deployment and analytics across multiple channels in support of ARD’s goals and strategies. This position serves as the marketing and communications liaison for the frontline fundraising teams, working with them to develop marketing and communication strategies and programs that contribute to the division’s goals. The Executive Director also supervises the content development, design, and project management teams within Marketing and Communications, and oversees media relations for ARD. In addition, the Executive Director serves on the ARD Senior Team and serves the back-up to ARD’s Senior Associate Vice President, Marketing and Communications on priority projects for senior leadership, issues management, and the overall management of the Marketing and Communications function.

Lead Marketing and Communications for Alumni Engagement, Donor Engagement, Volunteer Engagement, Annual Giving, and Events

• Work with the Senior Associate Vice President, Marketing and Communications to develop strategies and campaigns to engage and motivate alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, donors and volunteers, and inspire meaningful philanthropic support from the global Northwestern community.
• Serve as the marketing and communications liaison with multiple teams within Alumni Relations and Development
• Collaborate with colleagues within ARD to determine the communication strategies for motivating outright and planned gifts at the major and principal gift levels from alumni and other constituents.
• Partner with the Senior Associate Vice President, Marketing and Communications to develop and implement brand and communications strategies for the University’s comprehensive fundraising campaign and other formal fundraising campaigns.
• Stay updated on trends and best practices in client areas.

Oversee Integrated Content Strategy and Development for ARD

• Use a data-driven approach to identify audience segments, and develop communications objectives and strategies, to optimize the development and distribution of content, with the goal of advancing alumni engagement and inspiring philanthropic giving.
• Serve as editor-in-chief and collaborate across functions and departments to direct the development of captivating content reflecting the Northwestern University brand and strategic priorities.
• Develop a comprehensive messaging strategy for Northwestern’s alumni engagement and fundraising enterprise.
• Provide editorial guidance and drive the overarching vision for content across paid, earned, shared and owned channels, including digital, print, internal, external, and issues management and media relations.
• Champion innovative, integrated content opportunities that drive awareness and engagement among audiences, enhancing brand experiences across existing and evolving channels.
• Ensure the timely and effective writing and editing of a high volume of communications delivered through multiple channels (print, digital, multi-media and events).
• Oversee the development of fundraising and alumni engagement collateral, including brochures, fundraising campaign materials, gift officer materials, event materials, and presentations.
• Introduce new, innovative approaches to marketing and communications content to inform, cultivate, inspire and recognize volunteers and donors.
• Evaluate the effectiveness and success of the editorial content on an ongoing basis.
• Coordinate the development of speaker remarks for events.
• Oversee print and digital newsletters and publications, including ARD content for Northwestern Magazine.
• Develop new communication vehicles, from concept through execution.
• Along with the Senior Associate Vice President, represent ARD on the University’s Brand Workgroup, led by Global Marketing and Communications

Lead the Content Development, Design and Project Management Teams

• Manage a team of 10 staff.
• Prioritize projects and initiatives, and ensure the creation of high quality, timely work.
• Provide strategic direction, leadership, coaching and training to staff.
• Evaluate the goals and progress of the team.
• Ensure collaboration and cross-functional approach to optimize professional development across the teams
• Coordinate the utilization of freelancers to augment capacity as appropriate.

Oversee Media Relations and Issues/Reputational Management

• Work with the Senior Associate Vice President to determine the strategy for announcing gifts and ARD initiatives.
• Serve as the ARD liaison with the Media Relations team in Global Marketing and Communications, and collaborate with them to develop press releases and publicity plans for alumni relations and fundraising.
• Prepare senior leaders for media interviews.
• Help the Senior Associate Vice President in advising ARD senior leaders on issues that could affect the reputation of ARD or the University.
• Create messaging strategies and talking points for media interviews.
• Develop talking points and issue briefs that help frontline staff respond to inquiries from alumni, donors, and volunteers.
• Manage the ARD Issues Management Resource, an intranet site that equips frontline staff with current background materials, talking points on sensitive issues, and information on other University topics to support informed engagement with alumni, donors, and volunteers.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic marketing and/or communications
• Proven success in higher education marketing and/or nonprofit marketing
• Advanced experience in developing strategic and comprehensive marketing and communications plans and related content, and executing against those plans to achieve goals and objectives on schedule
• Broad experience in content strategy, digital marketing and communications, and media relations
• At least five years of experience supervising professional staff in the marketing and/or communications areas

Minimum Competencies

• Deep understanding of fundraising practices and strategies, preferably in an academic setting
• Strong strategic thinking and planning orientation with an ability to analyze trends, effectively organize resources, establish priorities and produce results, and translate them into potential points of difference
• Outstanding writing, editing and communication skills
• Excellent project management skills with adaptability to manage internal hurdles, changes in course, etc. to keep projects on track
• Ability to be a visionary and change agent
• Superior analytical and problem-solving ability
• Collaborative mindset, working with colleagues in a manner that builds trust and inspire confidence in both the senior director and in the team that he or she leads
• Proven ability to lead and manage individuals and teams to drive performance
• Knowledge of current and emerging trends in marketing, including digital marketing, event marketing and social media

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in marketing or communications
• Higher education experience

Preferred Competencies

• Understanding of the Northwestern alumni and donor population

Benefits

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life And Wellness

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more .

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.