Director, Alumni & Advancement Communications

Department: Kellogg Campaign Strategy
Salary/Grade: EXS/12

Job Summary

The primary role of Director of Advancement and Alumni Communications is advancing Kellogg's engagement with its alumni and donors through integrated marketing communication strategy and positioning.

Specific Responsibilities:

Marketing and Communication Strategy:

• Working closely with Alumni Relations and Development, set the strategy for communications efforts to increase engagement of alumni community. This includes identifying audience segments, communication goals and strategies as well as determining the most effective communication channels/vehicles and timing for deployment.
• Lead the development of overarching messaging for Kellogg's alumni and donors as well as targeted messages for audience segments.
• Oversee the strategy and execution of print, digital and face-to-face alumni and development communications (e.g., the investor report, email stewardship, alumni social media channels, and talking points for gift officers).
• Responsible for producing compelling proposals and gift agreements to entice donations to the school.
• Develop new communications vehicles, from concept through execution
• Lead the content development strategy for the dean's touch points with alumni and donors, including written communications as well as event talking points etc.

Metrics:

• Develop and employ relevant analysis and metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of the marketing and communications initiatives. (Follower growth on social channels, website traffic, participation in events)
• Analyze and refine marketing and communication processes in order to achieve continuous improvement.
• Contribute to achievement of revenue goals set annually by overall ARD team

Management and Leadership:

• Supervise two colleagues, providing leadership, coaching and training.
• Work with IMC team to collaborate, inform and continually deliver consistent, compelling communications.
• Embed Kellogg's mission/strategy, leadership philosophy/approach, and performance driven culture throughout the team.
• Collaborate across the External Relations team (Reputation, Alumni Relations, Development), identifying opportunities for integration to maximize impact.
• Partner with internal Kellogg teams to uncover compelling stories to share with alumni (Insights, faculty research, student life, admissions, CMC)

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations. marketing or related field, or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in advancement communications with increasing levels of responsibility within a complex organization.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, as well as strong organizational and creative skills.
• Proven ability to counsel and advise senior leaders in complex environment on effective strategic advancement communication best practices and approaches.
• In-depth understanding and sophisticated grasp of the earned, owned and social media landscape and demonstrated ability to drive measurable outcomes.
• Proven record of accomplishment that demonstrates initiative, creativity, managerial and interpersonal skills, preferably in a university setting.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Strong aptitude for critical thinking with a track record for translating strategic thinking into action plans and output.
• Ability to develop integrated communication strategies - that will touch across the ARD team and be in sync with IMC initiatives
• In-depth understanding of digital and social media platforms and how to leverage them to further the goals of Alumni Relations and Advancement.
• Demonstrated ability to work with all levels of academic, administrative and corporate management.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, ability to develop strategy, messaging and positioning for advancement communications.
• Proven good judgment and an ability to work collaboratively across functions and groups to achieve established objectives.
• Ability to work with tact, diplomacy and discretion.
• Strong organizational, project management skills and workflow coordination skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability in handling multiple priorities and meeting tight deadlines.
• Ability to quickly analyze and integrate information from relevant (and sometimes disparate) sources.
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to self-start.
• Fluency in MS Office suite.

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Eight or more years of experience in management-level development communications roles

Target hiring range for this position will be between $117,150 - $130,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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