Executive Director of Campaign Content (Hybrid) Job at University of Connecticut

The University of Connecticut is a top-ranked national university and health-system with its flagship campus in idyllic Storrs. Designated a Carnegie Research 1 institution, UConn is the state land- and sea-grant university charged with education, research, and service to the state and nation. The University serves 32,000 students across seven campuses, 8600 first-in-family students, and boasts 25 national championships. UConn Health is a top-ranked health provider located in Farmington and delivers award-winning medical education, research, and hospital and clinical services to 1.3 million patients a year.

With record-applications, back-to-back Men's Basketball National Championships, and a strategic location equidistant from Boston and New York City, UConn is poised to continue its meteoric rise as New England's top public University guided by a new strategic plan.

To meet the strategic objectives of the University, UConn Foundation is embarking on a historic campaign to support the University's trajectory. With students at the forefront, the campaign will also elevate faculty, groundbreaking research, sustainability, and a thriving community on campus that fuels the state. We seek the top talent in the country to join Husky Nation and invite inquiries and applications. We are committed to a caring and inclusive work culture, professional and leadership development, and flexibility for high achievers with a passion for higher education.

The UConn Foundation is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. We celebrate diverse perspectives and are committed to a welcoming environment that will value your unique experiences and identity. We recognize that a true commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion requires ongoing education and action, and we strive for continued growth each and every day.

We're looking for dedicated professionals to drive success and excellence and exemplify our values of integrity, empathy, kindness, accountability, collaboration, transparency, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

POSITION SUMMARY

The UConn Foundation is looking for a dynamic and strategic Executive Director of Campaign Content to spearhead the content strategy for our ambitious $1.5 billion campaign. In this role, you will develop and implement a comprehensive, integrated campaign communications program that engages UConn Nation through the lens of a campaign and fosters a growing culture of philanthropy. You will oversee the creative vision and execution of all campaign content and deliverables, with a heightened focus on managing the unified language, voice, tone, and overall content for campaign communications including event talking points, appeals and invitations, proposals, web content, campaign collateral, and stewardship messaging in print and digital delivery.

This position demands a unique combination of outstanding marketing, writing, design, and project management abilities to craft engaging materials that connect with diverse constituent bases. The successful incumbent will be able to lead across divisions including UConn Health, Academics, Athletics, and campuses and will work closely with the Writers' Collaborative and design/digital teams to maintain consistent messaging and produce innovative strategic campaign content across all channels. The ability to map projects and guide colleagues across the Foundation and University is crucial.

In this position, you will:

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive campaign content marketing strategy aligned with the UConn Foundation's goals, ensuring that all messaging supports the campaign pillars and engages key stakeholders.
• Clearly map and prioritize project needs and manage the creation of content.
• Develop and maintain the Foundation's Brand Standards both visually and verbally across all communication channels. This includes guidelines for design elements, word choice, writing style and emotional tone that reflect UConn's campaign values and resonate with the UConn community.
• Creatively integrate campaign branded materials and messaging into the context of the University's strategic plan and brand imprint.
• Actively participate in a new strategic creative brief intake and approval process; approve creative brief strategy and deliverables prior to creative content development.
• Effectively collaborate and brainstorm with Foundation senior leadership team, development staff and other key matrix partners to gather input of marketing requirements and provide clear direction and recommendations to creative team.
• Review and approve the work of creative marketing team prior to delivery and serve as the copy editor for marketing materials related to campaign content encompassing all outreach channels.
• Prioritize creative campaign projects based on the organization's needs and assist with aligning resources appropriately.
• Audit opportunities to ensure the voice of the campaign permeates externally focused events and communications.
• Assess the effectiveness of campaign marketing materials delivered with a focus on ROI of work delivered by the department; suggest and implement process and creative improvements with the department.
• Always model and articulate the Foundation's organizational core values.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Leadership

Model visible leadership across the entire organization by engaging in organization-wide activities such as department meetings, all-staff meetings, and staff events. Lead by example and represent the Foundation with responsiveness, professionalism, and cordiality.

To be successful in this role, you should:

• Be a champion for inclusion and diversity both internally and externally.
• Demonstrate strong Leadership, mentorship and team-building skills.
• Demonstrate excellent organization and time-management skills.
• Possess a high degree of logical and creative ability.
• Be self-directed and self-motivated.
• Demonstrate outstanding written and verbal communications skills, including the ability to effectively communicate University priorities and to positively represent the University and Foundation.
• Demonstrate expertise in project management, meeting deadlines with quality work, and delegation.
• Be able to work to the demands of the position which may exceed a 40-hour work week.

Education and Experience

We provide a broad set of requirements to be inclusive of people of all backgrounds and experiences. If you think you have the skills for the position, we want to hear from you. Even if this is not the right role, we may know of opportunities elsewhere or have future opportunities that better match your skill set.

• Bachelor's degree. Master's preferred.
• 7+ years in communications, corporate marketing, public relations or creative agency experience; previous campaign experience desired.
• Competence in Microsoft Office suite and donor management systems.
• Experience managing outside third-party vendors/consultants for assigned projects.
• Writing and material samples will be required.

Salary:

The expected salary for this position is $120,000+. It will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also placing an emphasis on internal equity.

Benefits:

Benefits start from day one. We offer medical, dental, and vision plans and will make an annual contribution to your health savings account if enrolled in one of the high-deductible health plans offered by the Foundation.

In addition, there are a few other perks to being a UConn Foundation employee:

• We offer a generous contribution to your 403(b) retirement plan to help you plan for retirement.
• We place an emphasis on work/life balance. In addition to a hybrid schedule, you will receive thirteen paid holidays, five weeks of paid time off per calendar year, and additional sick time.
• We invest in your professional development. Aside from opportunities to participate in various trainings, committees, and conferences throughout the year, you will also be eligible for tuition reimbursement after one year of employment.

Please inform a Human Resources Representative if you need any assistance completing any forms or participating in any part of the application process due to a disability.