Associate Vice President of Marketing & Communications

Description

The College Foundation of the University of Virginia, which exists to support the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, is conducting a search for an Associate Vice President of Marketing & Communications.

The Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications leads the development, coordination, and implementation of marketing and communication strategies that support achievement of fundraising goals and consistently communicate the priorities, aspirations and achievements of the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at the University of Virginia. The AVP has broad skills, provides visionary and operational leadership in communication strategy for fundraising initiatives, uses the most contemporary and effective approaches to reach prospective and current donors, and deploys innovative communications through a variety of channels including print, web, email, video, and social media.

The AVP works in close collaboration with other communications professionals in the offices of the Dean of Arts & Sciences, University Advancement Communications, and University Communications. As a member of the leadership team at the College Foundation, the AVP plays a key role in Foundation management and interacts with trustees, academic leaders, and administrators at the University of Virginia. The AVP leads a team of marketing professionals through three direct reports: the Art Director, the Director of Engagement and Annual Giving, and the Director of Videography and Multimedia. In addition, the team is supported by mission-critical assets of the Foundation, including data analysts, a project manager, and stewardship, event and fundraising professionals.

For the full position description and to apply for the for this position at the College Foundation of the University of Virginia go to http://alumni.as.virginia.edu/college-foundation-employment-opportunities

Job Duties

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Marketing & Communications

1. Set and achieve strategic communications goals in support of fundraising (annual, major, principal, and transformational gifts), and fundraising marketing (including all aspects of creative services, mass solicitations, and related stewardship).
2. Continually produce marketing and communication products that enhance the brand of the Arts & Sciences Development Office, its fundraising campaigns, and the College Foundation.
3. Promulgate marketing and communication best practices, including developing long-term strategies to increase market awareness and a positive, best-in-class perception of Arts & Sciences across market segments.
4. Design and oversee implementation of marketing campaigns for fundraising priorities of the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.
5. In collaboration with Arts & Sciences’ Director of Communications, the Dean of Arts & Sciences, colleagues in University Advancement and Communications, and the leadership team of the Foundation, create and propagate a brand message that resonates with target demographics in aligned channels (print and digital, on owned and external platforms).
6. Implement communications that display a comprehensive understanding of market research, data interpretation, strategic utilization of market segments, and the ability to accurately and persuasively represent the College to alumni, parents, and friends of the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.
7. Lead the creative development of materials for internal audiences (College Foundation, College Foundation boards, Arts & Sciences Dean’s Office, and University) and external audiences (external stakeholders and constituent groups), including, but not limited to: internal training resources, internal documents and reports, mass and custom external communications (direct mail, email, video, advertising, event communication, and social media).
8. Recommend and oversee new investments in rapidly evolving technologies, including the growth of new media technologies and interpretation of evolving audience demographics, particularly as it relates to acquiring new donors, renewing and upgrading current donors, and enhancing the brand perception of the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

    Personnel and Departmental Management

1. Supervise and mentor the Marketing and Communications team, including Engagement & Annual Giving and Creative Services, to create and foster an action-oriented, empowered, donor-centric, and resource-accountable environment;
2. Assume overall responsibility for resources provided to each team, including management of the expense budget;
3. Design annual plans and maintain multi-year (campaign) strategic plans for Marketing and Communications and internal teams;
4. Facilitate an environment that allows staff to perform effectively and efficiently in collaboration with other development office teams including gift officers, stewardship, events, prospect research, data analysis, gift processing, finance, budget, human resources, board governance, and leadership;
5. Ensure that Marketing and Communications staff build strong, mutually beneficial working relationships throughout University Advancement, University Communications, and the University’s other school-related foundations;
6. Provide guidance to employees as needed to help set workload priorities, assist with duties, and serve as a backup to staff and leadership;
7. Create clear channels for dealing with employee suggestions, concerns, and ideas;
8. Ensure all performance evaluation recommendations for reward and recognition, salary adjustments, and other personnel management documents are completed in a timely manner and are sufficient in both form and substance;
9. Maintain a strong Marketing and Communications team by recruiting, selecting, orienting, and training employees; maintaining a safe and secure work environment; and developing individual professional growth plans for each staff member;
10. Manage employee relations issues with the help of the Senior Director of Finance and Human Resources and the Vice President of Administration as needed;
11. Oversee the search for new staff according to the College Foundation policies and procedures, and consistent with annual budgetary planning.

Additional Info

Work Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree is required. Advanced degree in a related field preferred.
• No less than seven years of experience in educational or nonprofit fundraising, marketing, communication, or a related field is required.
• Significant experience as a manager of sophisticated direct response programs, preferably in an academic fundraising environment is expected. Experience in management, sales, or marketing will be considered in lieu of academic fundraising experience.
• Proven record of accomplishment that demonstrates initiative, creativity, and leadership.
• Advanced knowledge of current and emerging marketing trends and best practices, including new technologies such as expanded use of internet, web resources, and social networking.
• Excellent organizational, project management and time management skills.
• The highest standards in oral and written communication.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the proven ability to collaborate, build teams, and achieve results.
• Familiarity with CRM and marketing technologies. Familiarity with Advance (Ellucian), Salesforce Marketing Cloud, EverTrue, GiveCampus, and other University of Virginia enterprise systems is preferred.

To Apply

Applicants should apply online using the College Foundation portal, http://alumni.as.virginia.edu/foundation-employment-opportunities. Review of applications will begin immediately. The position will remain open until filled. The College Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The annual salary will be commensurate with experience. The College Foundation offers generous benefits, including full health insurance coverage for employees and a 403(b) retirement plan. In 2017, The Nonprofit Times recognized The College Foundation as one of the top 50 nonprofit employers in the country.

The College Foundation of the University of Virginia is a 501(c)(3), University-Related Foundation whose mission is to raise and invest private funds for the benefit of the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Governed by a 40-member volunteer Board of Trustees, and organizationally aligned with the Dean of Arts & Sciences, it employs a team of approximately three dozen advancement professionals who focus on development, donor relations, and marketing, and their related support functions.