Associate Director, Constituent Relations

This position functions as a content development and engagement role within the Office of Advancement with an overarching goal to support alumni engagement and increase donor participation while building college-wide community relations in consultation with the Advancement Marketing Manager. Office of Communications and Marketing. Three key areas of focus include: 1) content development & production for print (SCOPE Monthly & Scope Magazine), web, and Board-level materials and presentations as well as writing for Sr. Leadership and the President of the College. 2) social media management for alumni-specific channels with responsibility for building a strong social media annual plan and presence while reporting analytics monthly. General alumni engagement support and event attendance. 3) volunteer management and stewardship via class volunteers (specifically class presidents and correspondents) and board support.

The Associate Director will bring expertise in developing content for print, web, and social media. They will be highly skilled in writing and editing to include search engine optimization (SEO) and other content/digital writing tools. Familiarity with content marketing is required for effective digital engagement of the alumni audience. A key component of this position is a willingness to stay current with evolving technologies and strategies, especially business and analytic tools. Strong interpersonal and research/analytic skills are needed to articulate connections among faculty, student, and alumni achievements, Advancement goals, Skidmore’s Strategic Plan and its brand, Creative Thought Matters. The individual will manage multiple project deadlines, necessitating keen organizational skills. An understanding of teamwork and organizational dynamics is required as this individual will be guiding projects across multiple departments. Sharing the personal narratives of alumni requires diplomacy and discernment. As part of a team, this individual would be required to assist with key office programs and events for various constituents which may require nights and weekends and limited travel.

Responsibility Highlights

• Draft annual social media plan to cover: web, Instagram and Facebook accounts to drive success and ensure an increase in membership and report analytics monthly. Manage and produce content for Alumni Facebook page and @SkidmoreAlumni Instagram accounts keeping in mind current priorities of the College and the Office of Advancement. Demonstrate proficiency and seek knowledge and training as it relates to the ever-changing social media landscape, providing counsel and recommendations as needed to ensure data and trends remain current and relevant and provide thought leadership around social media strategy serving alumni, parents, families, and community.

• Research and write relevant and timely scripts and talking points, email and letter correspondence for institutional leaders including, but not limited to the President of the College, the Collyer Vice President for Advancement, members of the Executive Leadership Team, staff, and volunteers for the dozens of engagement and fundraising events held each year.
  
• Collaborate to strengthen Skidmore College community engagement with the Saratoga Springs and Capital District areas by providing support to leadership as it relates to campus and community constituents. Offer creative strategy, writing, and communications expertise to produce content. Serve the College at in-person events as needed.

• Work in partnership with the Office of Communications and Marketing liaison on key publications, writing assignments, interviews, etc. to efficiently and strategically identify content, key features, and effectively advocate for the Office of Advancement.

• Recruit, train, and manage corps of approximately 70 class correspondents and 70 class presidents; Celebrate and recognize these volunteers, enforce term limits and evaluate performance, including adhering to a schedule of regular class communication.

Relationships

• Office of Advancement, Office of the President, Office of Communications and Marketing, and the Office of Academic Affairs are key areas of collaboration and service.
• Key partnership with multiple members of the Office of Communications & Marketing, most notably the Managing Editor of Scope Magazine, the Digital Marketing Manager and the Advancement Marketing Manager.
• Liaison to Class Volunteers (Class Correspondents and Class Presidents)
• Partner with Major Gift Officers and those working within the Skidmore Fund to profile identified donors, prospects and suspects.

Resource Management

• Responsible for making recommendations to senior leadership for the deployment of budget dollars for social media engagement
• Printing and design costs associated with key office publications
• Collaborator on Community Relations budgeting and financial planning

Education : Bachelor’s Degree (in English, Journalism, Communications), Master’s preferred

Experience : Five or more years working in a communications and writing role. Three or more years working with social media platforms.

Essential competencies for this position are:

• Demonstrated proficiency related to social media content and management: Draft annual social media plan to cover: web, Instagram and Facebook accounts to drive success and ensure an increase in membership and report analytics monthly. Must be skilled in data manipulation. Manage and produce content for Alumni Facebook page and @SkidmoreAlumni Instagram accounts keeping in mind current priorities of the College and the Office of Advancement. Must demonstrate proficiency and seek knowledge and training as it relates to the ever-changing social media landscape, providing counsel and recommendations as needed to ensure data and trends remain current and relevant and provide thought leadership around social media strategy for alumni, parents, families, and community members.
• Strong interpersonal, analytic, and storytelling capabilities. Research and write relevant and timely scripts and talking points, email and letter correspondence for institutional leaders including, but not limited to the President of the College, the Collyer Vice President for Advancement, members of the Executive Leadership Team, staff, and volunteers for the dozens of engagement and fundraising events held each year.
• Team player with the ability to work independently and as part of a committed team. Serve as an active member of the Advancement team in support of events and be available (nights and weekends as applicable) to collaborate on, support, and staff strategically important initiatives, programs, and/or events. Manage web and social media reporting to accurately reflect event importance for key communications and platforms. Major weekend functions include but are not limited to, Commencement, Reunion, Opening Convocation, and Celebration Weekend. Serve as a resource presence for key student events on campus as well.
• Creative individual with commitment to learning and developing skills in an ever-changing landscape. Collaborate to strengthen Skidmore College community engagement with the Saratoga Springs and Capital District areas by providing support to leadership as it relates to campus and community constituents. Offer creative strategy, writing, and communications expertise to produce content. Serve the College at in-person events as needed.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to meet established deadlines
• Excellent command of spelling, grammar, style; strong judgement regarding tone, accuracy, and honesty; able to write for multiple voices. Assist Donor Engagement and Stewardship with projects as necessary. Must be an accomplished and adaptable writer who can learn to craft a variety of personal, compelling communications (including AP style).
• Recruit, train, and manage corps of approximately 70 class correspondents and 70 class presidents; Celebrate and recognize these volunteers, enforce term limits and evaluate performance, including adhering to a schedule of regular class communication. In partnership with Advancement Operations colleagues, communicate obituaries and death notices to key class volunteers and reflect deceased alumni accurately for “In Memoriam” features and alumni memorial programs.

Requirements: 3-5 writing samples that best exemplify candidate's writing skills- including social media and magazine writing and as well as presentation materials and demonstrate the candidate's breadth and depth of experience in this area.

Required documents needed to apply:

• On-line application
• Cover Letter
• Resume
• List of Three References

Pay Range: Commensurate with experience

In order to prevent or significantly reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission at Skidmore College and protect all members of the College community from infection, successful candidates will be required to submit proof of full vaccination as a condition of employment, unless exempted as a reasonable accommodation of a medical condition or sincerely religious belief or practice.

EEO STATEMENT

Skidmore College is committed to being an inclusive campus community and, as an Equal Opportunity Employer, does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, familial status, dating violence, or stalking, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Employment at Skidmore College is contingent upon an acceptable background check result.

CREATIVE THOUGHT MATTERS.