Associate Vice President for Advancement Communications

Vassar College

Associate Vice President for Advancement Communications

Department: Advancement Communications
Duration of Position: Full year / Full time
Work Schedule:
Employee Type: Administrator
Posting Date: 05/13/2022
Union Representation: Not Applicable
Posting Number: AS228P
Pay Rate:

About Vassar College
Located in the scenic Mid-Hudson Valley, Vassar College is a highly selective, residential, coeducational liberal arts college. Vassar is deeply committed to fostering a community that reflects the values of a liberal arts education and to promoting an environment of equality, diversity and inclusiveness. Vassar seeks to create a pluralistic community for all staff, faculty and students. Vassar College is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity employer, and applications from women, individuals with disabilities and members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged.Vassar College is a smoke-free, tobacco-free campus.Note: Vassar College has a universal vaccination policy requiring a COVID-19 vaccination, including a booster, for all employees except for those exempt for medical or religious reasons.

Position Summary and Responsibilities
Vassar is poised to launch an historic $500 million comprehensive campaign that will deepen our investment in financial aid and student life, expand research opportunities for our world-class faculty, and provide critical support for curricular innovation, racial justice and community engagement, environmental sustainability, admissions and career education. We welcome candidates who have experience within and beyond higher education who embrace Vassar's mission and its commitment to diversity and inclusion, and who wish to have a real impact on advancing the College at this pivotal time.
Position Summary The Associate Vice President for Advancement Communications leads Vassar's Advancement communications and creative strategy in support of the College's fundraising and engagement goals. This position is responsible for overseeing Advancement's creative direction, ensuring it is aligned with Vassar's overall brand strategy. The AVP oversees a team that handles digital and print design, copywriting, and web services. Additionally, The AVP maintains a collaborative partnership with the various stakeholders in the College's Office for Communications, including those responsible for web, print, design, social media, and images. The AVP reports to the Vice President for Advancement and is a member of Advancement' senior management team.
Responsibilities

• Formulate and successfully articulate strategic messaging to our alumni and parents, consistent with the College's brand, and segmented as needed.
• Lead cross-functional strategy sessions that include Annual Giving campaigns, Brewer's Fund campaigns, Reunions, and more. Develop creative briefs, collect feedback from stakeholders, design collateral, and develop comprehensive plans for executing Advancement's signature and annual communications and solicitation programs.
• Lead and report on Advancement's segmentation strategies and other industry KPIs related to measuring the effectiveness of all Advancement campaigns.
• Serve as Advancement's point person with all collateral related to Vassar's Capital Campaign.
• Organize and direct the creation of video and social media, including solicitations, crowdfunding, and stewardship in support of Advancement's goals and initiatives.
• Create specialized solicitation pieces for the President and Vice President as required.
• Manage and monitor the design and ordering of Advancement stationery.
• Work with freelance designers and print vendors in the creation of printed materials as approved by the Vice President for Advancement.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree with five or more years in a senior communications role or commensurate experience.
• A strategic communications professional who is committed to the mission of a liberal arts college and who is able to work in concert partnership with the College Communications Office.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of data analysis and clear presentation of data, trends, and implications.
• Skilled at working within a diverse community, employing a collaborative approach, and understanding the big picture of the role of advancement in higher education.
• Strong writing ability, and excellent oral and interpersonal communication.
• Well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage a multitude of projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Experience with fundraising within a complex educational or other not-for-profit environment preferred.
• Experience in producing high-quality and effective annual reports, marketing literature, newsletters, impact reports, fundraising solicitations, and other online and print publications to promote the work of the Advancement office.
• Skilled in translating strategic thinking and planning into actionable plans and output to achieve tangible results.

Special Instructions to Applicants
To complete your on-line application, you will be required to attach your resume, cover letter, and contact information for 3 professional references. All attachments must be in PDF format. Review of applications will begin immediately. If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources, 845-437-5820.

For full consideration applicants should apply by:

All applicants must apply online at: https://employment.vassar.edu/postings/2625.

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