Program Director - Advancement Communications, VP University Relations

Job Description Summary

Organization's Summary Statement:
The Office of Advancement Communications (OAC) is a new vertical within the Division of University Relations (UR), established alongside the recent public launch of Forward: The University of Maryland Campaign for the Fearless. OAC regularly collaborates with colleagues across the UR division and campus to deliver coordinated constituent-facing communications, marketing, and engagement strategies.

The Program Director of Advancement Communications will play a consultative and collaborative role among internal partners, developing marketing and communications tools and assets that serve the day-to-day work of engagement and fundraising for which UR is responsible. This work fulfills an essential need within the division while nesting within an ecosystem that includes the university’s Office of Marketing & Communications (OMC), school-, college- and unit-based communicators, as well as UR staff serving marketing and communications functions within the UMD Alumni Association, Office of Principal Gifts, Office of Donor Relations, Office of Annual Giving, Office of Gift Planning, Maryland Athletics and others.

The Program Director will play an integral role in defining UR’s strategic approach in, as well as its ongoing governance and high-level administration of, implementing Salesforce Marketing Cloud (SFMC) as a centralized, integrated solution for constituent communication across advancement audiences. As UR pursues a division-wide Salesforce CRM implementation, the realization of strategic and sound processes and procedures, as well as roles and responsibilities will be essential to the project’s success and that of its ongoing governance. This will be a multi-year effort, introducing and optimizing SFMC through data extensions, segmentation, automations, journeys, roles and permissions, integrations, deliverability and reporting. The Director will rely on supportive partnership with OAC and UR leadership and colleagues in bringing SFMC into our environment and continuing to refine it as a significant tool in advancing fundraising and engagement goals at UMD. They will also support alignment with university-wide administration and governance practices for SFMC and related platforms.

Also essential to OAC’s role in UR, the Director will partner closely with the Assistant Vice President for Strategic Outreach (AVP-SO) to ensure that OAC provides thorough, coordinated and intentional communication strategy and messaging architecture connected to advancement priorities, particularly those identified for the Forward campaign. They will drive cohesive alignment with the campaign’s marketing and communications strategy, and will convene subject matter experts across UR to promote unified campaign and advancement content creation and promotion workflows, from gift announcements and donor impact storytelling to staff and volunteer engagement tools and event strategy.

In summary, the Director will offer leadership in five key areas: (1) defining strategy for implementing and sustaining long-term governance of SFMC across UR teams; (2) contributing to the strategic implementation of our Forward campaign marketing and communications plan to activate and sustain fundraising and engagement momentum; (3) fortifying internal communication infrastructure for UR in support of the division’s strategic priorities; (4) manage OAC staff as well as freelance and vendor partnerships; and (5) positioning the OAC as an interdependent and collaborative partner to colleagues across the division, OMC and campus, and as a committed contributor to campus-wide communication priorities.

The Director will serve as a strategic thought partner for the AVP-SO and assist in building the OAC, adding new employees to the team as well as managing vendor and freelance staff relationships for the office. In working with colleagues across UR, they will offer direction, strategic insights and/or high-quality deliverables connected to signature and other high-level external communications and marketing efforts while enforcing well-defined timelines. In doing so, they will be expected to guide projects to be completed on time, within scope, and consistent with goals set.

The Director role entails strategic thinking, exceptional storytelling, the ability to interpret constituent data, develop audience-centered initiatives and translate institutional priorities into compelling narratives that advance engagement and philanthropy. The successful candidate will demonstrate expertise in integrated marketing and communications and collaboration across a complex organizational environment. They will be a self-motivated, intellectually curious and diplomatic leader with a strong sense of judgment and a strong track record for building consensus among diverse stakeholders. They will lead alignment across communications frameworks to maximize UR’s effectiveness in its engagement, cultivation and stewardship activity while maintaining a personal commitment to university and UR values.

Preferences:
-Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public affairs, marketing or a related field; master's degree preferred.
-Prior experience with the University of Maryland or a similar higher education institution, particularly in interfacing with internal and external UMD constituents and understanding its alumni and donor audiences.
-Exceptional ability to translate complex concepts into compelling, audience-centered messaging.
-Demonstrated expertise in integrated marketing and communications strategy, including campaign planning, audience segmentation, constituent engagement, multichannel communications and storytelling.
-Strong consultation, facilitation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships, influence without direct authority, and collaborate effectively across a large, complex organization.
-Demonstrated leadership, sound judgment, diplomacy, and discretion, including the ability to foster productive relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
-Experience working in higher education advancement, including direct support for marketing and communications, alumni relations, constituent engagement and/or senior leadership.
-Experience developing communications strategies, messaging frameworks, editorial plans, executive presentations and multichannel marketing campaigns that support institutional priorities and constituent engagement.
-Experience establishing communications governance, editorial standards, operational workflows and business processes within a large, decentralized organization, including organizational change initiatives.
-Experience implementing or administering enterprise marketing automation platforms—preferably Salesforce Marketing Cloud—including audience segmentation, customer journey development, email marketing, communications governance, analytics and performance measurement.
-Experience using analytics and reporting tools to evaluate communications performance and inform strategic decision-making.
-Working knowledge of CRM-enabled communications, content strategy, personalization and marketing automation best practices.
-Proficiency with Gmail and Google Suite applications
-Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint
-Experience with Salesforce Marketing Cloud, AlumnIQ, HubSpot, Marketo, Mailchimp or similar enterprise email marketing platforms
-Experience with Salesforce, Blackbaud, Ellucian Advance or similar CRM platforms
-Experience with project management platforms (e.g., Asana, Monday.com) and creative software (e.g., Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva Enterprise).

Physical Demands:
This is primarily a sedentary position involving extensive use of desktop computers. The position does occasionally require walking some distance to attend meetings, and programs. The position will require some night and weekend work throughout the year. Position may require the individual to travel 5% of the time. Physically demanding at times; must be able to lift 40 lbs.

Licenses/ Certifications: N/A

*This position does not provide visa sponsorship now or in the future. Candidates must be able to provide proof of ongoing eligibility to work in the USA.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Seven (7) years of professional communications or marketing experience.

Other: Additional work experience as defined above may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to four (4) years of the required education.

Knowledge of principles and practices of marketing and brand management.
Knowledge of writing, editing, and proofreading.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products.
Ability to multitask and prioritize assignments.
Ability to multitask while demonstrating a commitment to customer service.

Additional Job Details

Job Risks

Not Applicable to This Position

Financial Disclosure Required

No

Department

VPUR-VP University Relations

Worker Sub-Type

Staff Regular

Salary Range

$122,345-$145,000

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization.  Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice

Resources

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