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Assistant Vice President, Advancement Communications and Marketing - University Advancement

Employer
Carnegie Mellon University
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Salary
Competitive Salary
Date posted
Feb 20, 2025

Job Details



Carnegie Mellon is enjoying its most productive fundraising years in its history, surpassing the initial fundraising goal for its $2 billion Make Possible campaign more than 18 months ahead of schedule.

University Advancement (UA) supports the entire CMU community in building relationships with key constituencies and securing the financial resources the university needs to continue its ascent. As the division grows, we are seeking a new Assistant Vice President, Advancement Communication and Marketing to join the team. This is an exciting opportunity if you thrive in an interesting and fast-paced work environment.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Advancement Resources and Engagement Programs, you will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight of a comprehensive advancement communication plan to include digital, print and media marketing, and communication streams for Carnegie Mellon’s audiences (alumni, parents, supporters, friends, faculty, staff, students). This position will direct, manage, and oversee the further development of a strategic and innovative engagement and communications approach for the UA constituencies with a primary focus on campaign and fundraising efforts.

As part of a comprehensive communications and marketing effort, this role will also direct and lead the annual giving and donor relations program in University Advancement. The AVP for Communications and Marketing will also be responsible for coordinating, collaborating, and providing expertise to all stakeholders, including campaign initiatives, fundraising teams, annual giving, and alumni relations on communications marketing strategies and deliverables, such as print collateral, press releases, speech content, event programming, email campaigns, and web presence to ensure that engaging, persuasive and timely information is shared with all constituencies in one unified voice.

Core responsibilities include:
  • Analyzing existing programs in communications, annual giving, and donor relations; recommending innovative future approaches and directions for the entire program area, including introducing new communication initiatives, content, and channels to inform, cultivate and recognize alumni, volunteers, and donors.

  • Developing annual and long-range planning and providing strategic direction for advancement-centric communications based on organizational goals, including multi-channel communication streams, system improvements, collateral development, training programs, professional development, and enhanced communication with internal/external constituencies.

  • Overseeing and directing the development and implementation of all strategic communication and marketing plans.

  • Providing oversight and leadership to the development of all donor relations communications, including impact reporting, acknowledgements, and capital project recognition.

  • Incorporating emerging technologies into digital and print communication and marketing strategies.

  • Providing oversight of the constituent management and digital marketing systems to ensure the most effective use of the technologies.

  • Establishing, tracking, and ensuring that relevant metrics inform and guide communications, marketing, and engagement efforts across all constituencies.

  • Establishing, integrating, and maintaining “Best Practices” guide to central and college-based alumni and donor communications collateral.

  • Providing counsel and advice to senior administration, which significantly influences decision making and outcomes; provide triage support and recommendations for conflicting initiatives.

  • Providing support to the President’s Office and other University departments for speeches, talking points and other briefings as they pertain to advancement initiatives.

  • Working collaboratively and strategically with the Office of Alumni and Constituent Engagement on alumni and donor communications and event collateral.

  • Developing and managing relationships with other departments and advancement units to understand the full range of communications and create strategically solid communication programming to meet those needs.

  • Supervising advancement marketing and communications staff and providing support and expertise to other communications personnel across the university to ensure advancement messaging is promoted in other university collateral.

  • Managing relationships with external vendors on hosted platforms including developing new technology and design, as well as troubleshooting issues.

  • Managing budget resources for the communications office.

  • Serving on various campus and community committees, task forces and councils.

  • Performing related duties as assigned.

Flexibility, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon. Collaboration and cultural sensitivity are valued competencies at CMU. Therefore, we are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

You should demonstrate:
  • Excellent written and interpersonal skills, and the ability to establish and strengthen relationships over time.

  • The ability to develop and nurture positive relationships with different members of the university community to ensure that “one voice” advancement messaging is strategically placed in various university collateral.

  • Good judgment and the vision to execute a creative strategy that aligns with the mission and goals of the institution.

  • Aptitude for collaborative work across a variety of offices and units, especially where direct oversight is not managed.

  • Leadership and decision-making skills and the ability to manage people and projects.

  • The ability to multi-task while managing multiple projects and assignments.

Qualifications:
  • Education: bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

  • At least 10 years of experience in advancement communications and an understanding of higher education fundraising, institutional processes that includes managing and reporting fundraising activities.

  • Knowledge of advancement business processes, including gift processing, receipting, and reporting, event management, prospect management and tracking, and communications efforts.

  • Knowledge of personal computer applications including desktop applications as well as complex communications and marketing tools, advancement databases and reporting systems.

  • Knowledge of budgeting, strategic planning, and cost analysis.

  • A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Requirements:
  • Successful background check

NOMINATION AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES:

Carnegie Mellon University has retained Aspen Leadership Group for assistance in this exciting search.

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited.

Applications should include a cover letter/letter of interest, CV, or resume.

To apply for this position, visit: Assistant Vice President for Advancement Communications and Marketing, Carnegie Mellon University

To nominate a candidate, please contact Steven Wallace

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits available to eligible employees.

Those employees who are benefits eligible have the opportunity to experience the full spectrum of advantages from comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance to an enticing retirement savings program offering a generous employer contribution. You can also unlock your potential with tuition benefits and take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays . Finally, rest easy knowing you are covered by life and accidental death and disability insurance.

Other perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access , and so much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits that may be awaiting you, explore our Benefits page .

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond just credentials, we consider the role and responsibilities, your invaluable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We acknowledge and appreciate your unique skills and the diverse perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Job Function

University Administration and Management

Position Type

Staff – Regular

Full Time/Part time

Full time

Pay Basis

Salary

More Information:
  • Please visit Why Carnegie Mellon to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.

  • Click here to view a listing of employee benefits

  • Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran .

  • Statement of Assurance

Company

Carnegie Mellon University

 

Carnegie Mellon University challenges the curious and passionate to imagine and deliver work that matters.

A private, global research university, Carnegie Mellon stands among the world's most renowned educational institutions, and sets its own course.

Carnegie Mellon was founded in 1900 by Andrew Carnegie under the premise that a school established to foster and develop the technical skills of its students would soon produce students and graduates whose work would astound Pittsburgh and the world. Over 120 years later, our institution continues to produce talented alumni and draws faculty and staff eager to be a part of the university's creative, passionate and close-knit community. We place emphasis on practical problem solving, interdisciplinary learning, an entrepreneurial spirit, and collaboration.

Over the past 10 years, more than 400 startups linked to CMU have raised more than $7 billion in follow-on funding. Those investment numbers are especially high because of the sheer size of Pittsburgh’s growing autonomous vehicles cluster – including Uber, Aurora, Waymo and Motional – all of which are here because of their strong ties to CMU.

With cutting-edge brain science, path-breaking performances, innovative startups, driverless cars, big data, big ambitions, Nobel and Turing prizes, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of robots, CMU doesn't imagine the future, we create it. 

Pittsburgh is home to over 86,000 students from 10 colleges and universities. Pittsburgh was ranked as one of the top U.S. cities for millennials.

Some 177,000 people work in Pittsburgh's tech-related industries, and their ranks continue to grow as the city tops lists for jobs. Networking opportunities, small business accelerators, and an innovative community make the city appealing to entrepreneurs, especially recent graduates.

Pittsburgh is emerging as a tech and culture hub that The Washington Post praises for its "world-class art museums and colorful neighborhoods."

Robotics and software engineering lead the way. The city is home to GoogleUber and Apple offices and a budding ecosystem of tech startups including DuolingoModcloth and 4Moms, all of which have CMU roots.

Many seek Pittsburgh for being a hot spot for entrepreneurship and a model for future cities. Others come for the city's burgeoning food scene.

You’ll find CMU locations nationwide — and worldwide. Silicon Valley. Qatar. Africa. Washington, D.C. To name a few.

If your heart is in your work, come work with us.

Carnegie Mellon University isn't just one of the world’s most renowned educational institutions — it’s also a hotspot for some of the most talented doers, dreamers and difference-makers on the planet. When you join our staff, you’ll become an important part of our mission to create a healthier, safer and more just life for all. No matter what your role or location, you’ll connect and collaborate with dedicated, passionate colleagues — and you’ll have the satisfaction of delivering work that truly matters.

Carnegie Mellon University offers a wide range of competitive employee benefits to help you live well. Benefit eligibility varies based on the hours per week employees are scheduled to work and the employee's geographic location

We seek to cultivate diverse populations and perspectives and promote equity and inclusion. Our devotion to these ideals springs from a core belief in the power of education to be a transformative and enriching force for every person, irrespective of their background, identity or life circumstances. 

Inclusion and belonging are intricately interwoven into the very essence of our university, helping to shape our values, policies and practices. Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are not only central to our ethos but also indispensable to our pursuit of academic excellence and innovation.

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