Executive Director

Vanderbilt Development and Alumni Relations seeks an experienced and creative leader for the position of Executive Director of Development Communications. 

The Executive Director, who reports to the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Donor, Alumni, and Parent Communications, plays a vital role in leading advancement communications, in promoting the university’s comprehensive campaign, and in overseeing successful communications and marketing strategies across a range of initiatives.

This position provides recommendations to DAR and university leadership on campaign messaging and campaign communications strategy. The Executive Director also plays a crucial role in the design and implementation of fundraising communications, including during the final year of the Dare to Grow campaign and in the execution of subsequent campaigns.

About the Work Unit

Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. DAR is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University’s teaching and research programs. Learn more about DAR at https://www.vanderbilt.edu/dar.

Key Functions and Expected Performance

• Conceptualize and oversee execution of communications initiatives that reach multiple audiences and elevate Vanderbilt’s reputation among potential and existing constituents—including donors, parents, and alumni. 
• Collaborate with fundraising and communication teams across various units, including the university’s central Communications and Marketing division (MarComm), to ensure consistency and donor-focus across all development content.
• Alongside the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Donor, Alumni, and Parent Communications and the Associate Director of Digital Communications, lead the launch of a post-Dare to Grow giving website and the ongoing site content strategy. 
• Provide regular advice and counsel to the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Campaign Strategy and Operations.
• Coordinate several campaign-related communications, including—but not limited to—event collateral and invitations, gift proposals, gift announcements, impact stories, stewardship communications, and campaign-related board presentations.
• Partner with in-house content developers from the central MarComm team (design, web, photographer, videographers, writers) and, as applicable, outside creative firm(s) to develop content and collateral.
• Specific to campaign events, serve as key liaison and contributor to MarComm's development of campaign videos, social posts, ads, and other communications.
• Actively engage with MarComm to ensure consistent representation of campaign messaging and consistent focus on donor impact. 
• As applicable, serve as an on-site resource at campaign-related events, coordinating photographers, videographers, and other creative elements.
• In partnership with campaign, development, and stewardship teams, implement a campaign communications stewardship plan to appropriately thank donors and volunteers at all levels. This might include such items as donor newsletters and impact reports.
• Advise and lead, depending on the initiative, additional advancement communications efforts. 
• Develop creative briefs for communications projects.
• Educate frontline fundraisers and the broader DAR team on advancement and campaign communication strategies—and provide tools to engage with donors and volunteers.
• Alongside the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Donor, Alumni, and Parent Communications, serve as key liaison between DAR and MarComm.  
• As applicable, plan and host meetings to provide information about campaign messaging and advancement priorities.
• Serve as a lead on copy review for all creative that mentions the campaign. 
• Assess metrics related to communications efforts and adjust initiatives as necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Relationships

The Executive Director reports administratively and functionally to the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Donor, Alumni, and Parent Communications and manages at least two direct reports.

Work Environment

For this hybrid role, there is a preference for candidates residing in Nashville, but remote candidates will be considered.

Education and Certifications

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or the equivalent, is required, preferably in communications, journalism, marketing, or English
• An advanced degree is preferred

Experience and Skills

• A minimum of ten years of relevant experience, preferably in a complex organizational context, is required
• Campaign communications experience at a university is preferred
• An understanding of development and alumni relations, preferably in higher education
• Ability to define strategic communications goals and objectives and to develop and implement multifaceted communications plans to achieve goals
• Highly developed managerial and organizational skills
• Excellent writing and editing skills 
• Ability to convey strategic messages via strong creative work
• Confidence and ease in working with people at all levels