Virginia Jobs
Associate Director, Campaign Communications and Content Strategy
Virginia Jobs, Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States, 22802
Working Title:
Associate Director, Campaign Communications and Content Strategy
State Role Title: N/A
Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)
Position Status:
Full-Time
College/Division:
Communications and Marketing
Department:
100445 - Advancement Marketing
Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience
Specify Range or Amount:
Is this a JMU only position? No
Is this a grant-funded position? No
Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No
Beginning Review Date: 08/21/2024
About JMU:
MissionWe are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.
VisionTo be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.
Who We AreLocated in the heart of Virginia's beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.
JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.
General Information:
The Office of Advancement Marketing at James Madison University (JMU) is accepting applications for an Associate Director to play a leadership role in developing strategic content to support fundraising and engagement initiatives with JMU. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of developing persuasive philanthropic and promotional materials; compelling, meaningful storytelling in support of fundraising and stewardship; excellent editorial skills; and experience collaborating and managing projects.This position works closely with communications and marketing, fundraising, and other advancement staff as well as with campus partners in support of fundraising and campaign priorities and strategies. This position reports to the Senior Director of Advancement Marketing.
Duties and Responsibilities:
#1: Builds advancement content strategy and ecosystem comprising storytelling and campaign messaging for Advancement Marketing team and partners to leverage in support of UA programs and goals in engagement, fundraising, impact and stewardship. Advises and collaborates with AM team and other UA content developers on cross-channel and cross-UMB collaborations to optimize content reach and audience conversion.
#2: Researches, develops and project manages campaign messaging, narrative, cases, white papers and talking points for JMU giving priorities for major gift cultivation and solicitation. Assists the senior director in maintaining relationships with priority champions across campus, advancement leaders, development liaisons and calling officers in the development of campaign and fundraising collateral. Gathers and leverages audience and donor intelligence to help develop strong value propositions, compelling messaging and effective reach strategies in support of philanthropy that can be transformative for people and programs at JMU. Assists periodically with gift proposals.
#3: Develops editorial story content in support of fundraising, advancement constituent engagement, impact and stewardship. Researches, writes, edits, guides and /or inspires compelling editorial story content for web, magazine, email and other channels in support of advancement and university goals. Edits and proofreads content created by other staff; ensures that story content aligns with the university's brand profile and editorial style; oversees AM editorial quality assurance. Consults with Senior Associate Director on digital storytelling to assist in building an overall advancement content constellation.
#4: Responsible for AM editorial management and oversightManages editorial staff, students and/or freelancers and guides, inspires and/or delegates editorial storytelling. Ensures that editorial expectations are clearly communicated; that student work is productive for Advancement Marketing; that students have portfolio development opportunities when possible; and that freelancers have effective instruction and guidance.
#5: Implements an audience- and donor-centric approach to content. Conducts research and consults with UA partners in search of creative and strategic solutions for audience identification and analysis to increase content focus, authenticity and effectiveness.
#6: Collaborates with Advancement Marketing team on overall marketing and creative strategy, audience development, core operations, special projects, and event programming, story and script development for Giving Day, Stewardship Luncheon, OAR Alumni Awards, Bluestone Reunions, Madison Trust, WFM Summit / Rally and other events. Utilizes JMU business management and IT systems and tools (Cascade, Marketing Cloud, Affinaquest, iModules, Basecamp, Teams and more) to collaborate and carry out responsibilities.
Qualifications:
Required
Bachelor's degree in writing, communications, public relations, English or related field3 years professional experience in higher education communications, advancement, nonprofit work or combination3 years professional writing experience and exceptional written communication skills across multiple genres with outstanding attention to accuracy and detailExperience developing strategic communications in support of philanthropyGreat instinct for identifying and developing compelling, authentic and meaningful communications and storiesDemonstrated commitment to audience-centric communications with experience clarifying audiences, aligning voice and developing compelling messaging that resonatesExperience conducting and applying extensive researchExperience collaborating with teams and managing projects, especially related to content creationDemonstrated ability to work effectively with JMU partners at all levels and engage with the greater JMU community of alumni, parents, donors and friendsSelf-confident and genial personality with a positive attitude and tenacity to meet deadlines and get things doneAbility to work independently plus willingness to collaborate, innovate and pitch in for all-hands-on-deck initiativesTransferable experience with enterprise clients and ability to learn JMU systems, tools and processesOccasional weekend and evening work and the possibility of travel
Preferred :
Extensive knowledge of JMUMaster's degreeDigital marketing experienceSupervisory experienceAdditional Posting Information:
Please provide a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to effectively craft a case for giving OR that demonstrates your ability to write a sophisticated feature story.
JMU's Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.
Conditions of Employment:
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
EEO Statement:
James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.
We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.
Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.
Reasonable Accommodation:
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.
Associate Director, Campaign Communications and Content Strategy
State Role Title: N/A
Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)
Position Status:
Full-Time
College/Division:
Communications and Marketing
Department:
100445 - Advancement Marketing
Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience
Specify Range or Amount:
Is this a JMU only position? No
Is this a grant-funded position? No
Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No
Beginning Review Date: 08/21/2024
About JMU:
MissionWe are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.
VisionTo be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.
Who We AreLocated in the heart of Virginia's beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.
JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.
General Information:
The Office of Advancement Marketing at James Madison University (JMU) is accepting applications for an Associate Director to play a leadership role in developing strategic content to support fundraising and engagement initiatives with JMU. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of developing persuasive philanthropic and promotional materials; compelling, meaningful storytelling in support of fundraising and stewardship; excellent editorial skills; and experience collaborating and managing projects.This position works closely with communications and marketing, fundraising, and other advancement staff as well as with campus partners in support of fundraising and campaign priorities and strategies. This position reports to the Senior Director of Advancement Marketing.
Duties and Responsibilities:
#1: Builds advancement content strategy and ecosystem comprising storytelling and campaign messaging for Advancement Marketing team and partners to leverage in support of UA programs and goals in engagement, fundraising, impact and stewardship. Advises and collaborates with AM team and other UA content developers on cross-channel and cross-UMB collaborations to optimize content reach and audience conversion.
#2: Researches, develops and project manages campaign messaging, narrative, cases, white papers and talking points for JMU giving priorities for major gift cultivation and solicitation. Assists the senior director in maintaining relationships with priority champions across campus, advancement leaders, development liaisons and calling officers in the development of campaign and fundraising collateral. Gathers and leverages audience and donor intelligence to help develop strong value propositions, compelling messaging and effective reach strategies in support of philanthropy that can be transformative for people and programs at JMU. Assists periodically with gift proposals.
#3: Develops editorial story content in support of fundraising, advancement constituent engagement, impact and stewardship. Researches, writes, edits, guides and /or inspires compelling editorial story content for web, magazine, email and other channels in support of advancement and university goals. Edits and proofreads content created by other staff; ensures that story content aligns with the university's brand profile and editorial style; oversees AM editorial quality assurance. Consults with Senior Associate Director on digital storytelling to assist in building an overall advancement content constellation.
#4: Responsible for AM editorial management and oversightManages editorial staff, students and/or freelancers and guides, inspires and/or delegates editorial storytelling. Ensures that editorial expectations are clearly communicated; that student work is productive for Advancement Marketing; that students have portfolio development opportunities when possible; and that freelancers have effective instruction and guidance.
#5: Implements an audience- and donor-centric approach to content. Conducts research and consults with UA partners in search of creative and strategic solutions for audience identification and analysis to increase content focus, authenticity and effectiveness.
#6: Collaborates with Advancement Marketing team on overall marketing and creative strategy, audience development, core operations, special projects, and event programming, story and script development for Giving Day, Stewardship Luncheon, OAR Alumni Awards, Bluestone Reunions, Madison Trust, WFM Summit / Rally and other events. Utilizes JMU business management and IT systems and tools (Cascade, Marketing Cloud, Affinaquest, iModules, Basecamp, Teams and more) to collaborate and carry out responsibilities.
Qualifications:
Required
Bachelor's degree in writing, communications, public relations, English or related field3 years professional experience in higher education communications, advancement, nonprofit work or combination3 years professional writing experience and exceptional written communication skills across multiple genres with outstanding attention to accuracy and detailExperience developing strategic communications in support of philanthropyGreat instinct for identifying and developing compelling, authentic and meaningful communications and storiesDemonstrated commitment to audience-centric communications with experience clarifying audiences, aligning voice and developing compelling messaging that resonatesExperience conducting and applying extensive researchExperience collaborating with teams and managing projects, especially related to content creationDemonstrated ability to work effectively with JMU partners at all levels and engage with the greater JMU community of alumni, parents, donors and friendsSelf-confident and genial personality with a positive attitude and tenacity to meet deadlines and get things doneAbility to work independently plus willingness to collaborate, innovate and pitch in for all-hands-on-deck initiativesTransferable experience with enterprise clients and ability to learn JMU systems, tools and processesOccasional weekend and evening work and the possibility of travel
Preferred :
Extensive knowledge of JMUMaster's degreeDigital marketing experienceSupervisory experienceAdditional Posting Information:
Please provide a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to effectively craft a case for giving OR that demonstrates your ability to write a sophisticated feature story.
JMU's Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.
Conditions of Employment:
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
EEO Statement:
James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.
We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.
Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.
Reasonable Accommodation:
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.