Assistant Director for Fundraising Communications

The Assistant Director for Fundraising Communications oversees and administers fundraising direct marketing activities for the Marketing, Communications & Stewardship (MCS) team.  This position supports the Central Annual Fund programs (reunion, young alumni, parents, senior gift, student education, texting, and stewardship) and 9 partner school Annual Funds. This position also supports Gift Planning and other fundraising communications initiatives, which includes multi-channel quarterly solicitations and other program specific projects that reach alumni, parents and friends to help the fundraising programs reach annual donor and dollar goals.

This position reports to the Director of Fundraising Communications and provides ongoing communication with internal and external partners by convening weekly, bi-weekly or monthly meetings to update pertinent parties on the status of current projects and potential new opportunities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Manage complete process for each direct marketing fundraising communications project from concept through production for all Central Annual Fund programs and nine partner schools.  75%

• Identify, collect, and analyze all project opportunities as the point of contact for all internal programs (parents, young alumni, reunion, leadership gift planning and students) and nine school partners.
• Present new project opportunities to Fundraising Communication team to determine if/how the projects fit into the overall communication operating plan.
• Establish goals, milestones and deadlines for each project utilizing project management tools in Box, Asana, MS Teams and others.
• Develop and maintain a shared project communication schedule and work in close partnership with MCS, Annual Fund staff, Gift Planning staff and Annual Fund Directors to ensure deadlines are met.
• Initiate and facilitate project kickoff meetings to outline project goals, deadlines, and milestones and maintain ongoing communication with project partners. Notify staff of any problems or delays and work to create an acceptable resolution in a timely manner to maintain accuracy, and keep the project moving forward.
• Collaborate with the business intelligence team to ensure that all data drops are clearly specified and print/email ready.
• Coordinate and follow up with all partners on drafting, editing, design, proofing and final approval for each project.
• Identify and interface with external organizations, i.e. printers, designers, and mail houses, as appropriate to ensure cooperative efforts are enhanced and available resources are utilized to maximize efficiency and guarantee accuracy in the final products.
• Work with external vendors to ensure adequate samples for distribution and archive all final proofs and data files for historical reference.
• Manage all technique codes and giving URLs for tracking solicitations, events, and volunteers.

Leadership 15%

• Convene and lead Annual Fund project check-ins with MCS and communications partners
• Create meeting agendas, report regularly to senior leadership within the MCS team on projects.
• Manage the day to day operations of the Centralized Communications Program.
• Identify areas to improve efficiencies and streamline project processes through thoughtful analysis and testing.

Serve as an active member of the Duke Annual Fund, Gift Planning and the MCS Team (10%)

• Work with other Communications staff members in support of operating plans, quarterly reports, and mid-year analyses.
• Attend staff and team meetings.
• Attend and participate in fundraising events as needed (i.e. Homecoming, Graduation, Parents weekend, Annual Fund Advisory Board, and Reunions Weekend).
• Manage the day to day operations of the Centralized Communications Program.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications at this Level Job Code 1268

Education/Training

Work requires the ability to perform creative writing and related activities such as conducting interviews and research, and copy editing normally acquired through attainment of a bachelor's degree in Journalism, English or a related discipline.

Experience

Work requires two years of directly related writing experience.

OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

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Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.