Careers

Carnegie Mellon is enjoying its most productive fundraising years in its history, raising more than $950M over the last three years. 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 an executive director, Advancement Communications and Marketing. This is an exciting opportunity if you thrive in an interesting and challenging work environment. Reporting to the assistant vice president, Advancement Communications and Marketing, you will be responsible for the coordination, development, and execution of strategies across numerous channels to achieve university and division goals for: 1) increased and more meaningful audience engagement; 2) current and future fundraising campaigns; and 3) increased annual giving participation.
You should have exceptional planning, analytical and communication skills, and demonstrated experience in cross-channel content marketing, including but not limited to direct mail, email, online, social media, and video. You should be innovative, organized, and deadline-focused, and have experience in managing both projects and teams. You should have extensive experience in developing multi-channel, data-driven marketing plans as well as digital and print content with a strategic focus on advancing organizational goals and objectives. You will work closely with other teams within the division, including Alumni and Constituent Engagement, Annual Giving, Donor Relations, Development, Gift Planning, Business Engagement and Foundation Relations, as well as partners across the university. As a leader within Advancement Communications and Marketing, you will interact regularly with division and university leadership and should demonstrate sound judgement and discretion in representing the team.

Your core responsibilities will include:

• Developing and executing integrated content marketing strategies that further University Advancement goals across a variety of departments and functions, including Alumni and Constituent Engagement, Annual Giving, Development, Gift Planning, and Business Engagement.
• Partnering with teams within University Advancement to understand and distill their strategic goals and objectives. Develops and executes marketing communications plans that advance these goals and objectives.
• Leading processes to define audience segments and develop marketing communications interventions to achieve goals and objectives for engagement, participation and philanthropic support, with particular emphasis on alumni and donor segments.
• Creating, editing, and managing the production of digital and print content that is strategically focused, engages audiences, and aligns with and enhances Carnegie Mellon's brand and identity.
• Developing and maintaining a cross-channel editorial calendar for multiple audiences.
• Managing and coaching a team of professional marketers, writers, editors, and designers as well as external vendors.
• Developing relationships with freelance writers and editors, photographers, videographers, and other external partners to build a robust team of contributors.
• Developing quantifiable goals to evaluate success, tracking appropriate metrics and developing reports to monitor effectiveness of strategies. Evaluates existing programs, strategies and tactics; recommends and implements future approaches for advancement communications and marketing.
• Monitoring industry trends, issues and technologies, and proposing innovative strategies and tactics to advance division's objectives.
• Developing divisional content guidelines and tools that adhere to best practices in higher education and advancement marketing and communications.
• Tracking appropriate metrics and developing reports to monitor audience engagement and program success.
• Performing related duties as assigned.

Passion, excellence and flexibility are vital qualities within University Advancement. A commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; collaboration; and cultural sensitivity are valued competencies at CMU. Therefore, we are in search of a team member who is able to 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:

• The ability to:
  • interact and collaborate effectively within the University Advancement division, as well as with other members of the campus community
  • contribute in a high-performing team environment
  • maintain composure when dealing with difficult situations and/or individuals
  • meet tight deadlines
  • work under pressure and with frequent interruptions
  • pay close attention to detail
  • keep and maintain accurate and detailed reports and records
  • prioritize work and handle multiple tasks simultaneously
  • understand and follow directions
  • work with sensitive information, maintain confidentiality, and use discretion
• Understanding of best practices and metrics for university and advancement communications
• Knowledge of marketing analytics and metrics
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills
• Creativity in developing innovative marketing and communications strategies
• Experience supervising staff and leading teams

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in marketing, journalism, communications or public relations is required; master's degree preferred
• Ten or more years of experience in digital and print content strategy and development, including content creation, writing, editing, analytics, social media, and search engine optimization
• Five or more years of experience in project management and team management
• Expertise in marketing and communications principles, strategies, and tactics
• Experience in higher education and/or large institution fundraising or marketing communications is preferred but not required
• Outstanding strategic writing and editing skills with the ability to write for multiple audiences, styles and tones (long- and short-form storytelling, solicitations/persuasive content, video scripts, website content, social media, speeches/event scripts)
• Extensive experience with digital marketing, including email, websites, and social media
• Proficiency with content management systems and social media platforms
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite

Requirements

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and successfully complete a driver's license verification on an annual basis. Must complete the National Safety Council Defensive Driver Training once every three years
• Maintain valid passport
• Successful background check

CMU's COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements: As a condition of employment, Carnegie Mellon University requires all staff and faculty working in the United States to be fully vaccinated, including a booster when eligible, against COVID-19. Prior to commencement of employment, new hires in the United States must provide proof of vaccination or obtain an approved exemption. (Exemptions may be requested for medical reasons or for religious or strong moral or ethical conviction.) Those granted an exemption must comply with all applicable COVID-19 mitigation requirements, including use of facial coverings, daily self-assessment and weekly Tartan Testing.

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