Communications Specialist

Posted on 10/29/2021

VCU Strategic Marketing and Engagement

Richmond, VA

At VCU, we Make it Real through learning, research, creativity, service and discovery — the hallmarks of the VCU experience. A premier, urban, public research university nationally recognized as one of the best employers for diversity, VCU is a great place to work. It’s a place of opportunity, where your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers employees a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay, and an opportunity to do mission-driven work.

Strategic Marketing and Engagement (SME) provides coordinated and strategic engagement for all Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) constituents. SME manages university wide donor events and stewardship, the annual giving calendar of solicitations and all university wide messaging to alumni, donors and internal constituents.

Job Description:

The communications specialist will report to the executive director, DAR communications, and support the university’s fundraising and engagement efforts through the creation of strategic, informative and engaging communications across multiple platforms. The specialist is a key member of the DAR Communications team, which supports donor and alumni engagement efforts at unit and university levels.

In this role, you will: 

  • Develop and execute robust, multichannel, strategic communications for VCU Giving Day to inform and motivate donors, prospective donors, alumni and other constituents; collaborate with  campus partners to collect, write and edit content for their Giving Day priorities; and collaborate with the creative team on the creation of graphics and videos to support communications.
  • Support VCU’s solicitation and stewardship efforts by writing and editing strategic print and digital content to keep constituents informed of areas of support, programs and activities, and opportunities to give.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and cross-campus development staff to solicit content ideas and facilitate content approvals.
  • Work with the assistant director of strategic initiatives to write and edit content for unit-level crowdfunding campaigns.
  • Research, conduct interviews and write other communications as needed in support of DAR goals.

As a team member, you will:

  • Maintain and encourage open and honest professional relationships within the team and throughout DAR and VCU.
  • Collaborate with peers and stakeholders to add to DAR’s collective innovative thinking.
  • Align your values with DAR’s core purpose and values.

Minimum hiring standards:

  • Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing or related field required or equivalent knowledge and experience.
  • Two to four years of experience in journalism, public relations or fundraising, with emphasis on higher education or nonprofit setting.
  • Demonstrated interviewing, writing and editing experience and knowledge of AP Style.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Aptitude to develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.
  • Ability to communicate and present ideas accurately and clearly.
  • Adaptable, proactive, deadline-driven, results-oriented, highly organized and detail-oriented
  • Enjoy working within a fast-paced, performance-based professional environment
  • Self-starter who can succeed with general direction and exercise independent judgment
  • Trustworthiness to serve as a brand ambassador and to handle issues or escalate as appropriate.

Preferred hiring standards:

  • Experience writing fundraising communications in an educational environment.
  • Graduate degree or commensurate professional work experience in communications.

Salary Range: Commensurate with experience, up to $55,000

Position Details:

  • Department: Development and Alumni Relations
  • Employment Type: Full-Time, University and Academic Professional

To apply for this job please visit vcu.csod.com.