POSITION SUMMARY:

The Assistant Director reports to the Associate Director of Advancement Communications and is responsible for planning and executing a wide range of communication projects for Advancement departments, including Major and Planned Giving, Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement, playing an instrumental role in communication operations for a forthcoming comprehensive fundraising campaign.

The Assistant Director must be able to work independently and as a team member to develop and implement communications plans that assist personnel in these units in their efforts to build relationships with alumni and friends and to secure funding from a variety of constituencies.

The position requires a proven self-starter and experienced communicator across multiple media channels and platforms, and involves and involves significant interaction with members of the University Advancement team as well as senior University administrators, faculty and staff at all levels, and alumni, friends and other stakeholders outside of the immediate University community.
A hybrid telecommuting schedule with supervisor approval may be arranged in accordance with University policies.

Willingness and ability to support and attend University events as appropriate is required, including occasional evenings and weekends and the potential for infrequent off-campus travel (usually within the Pittsburgh area).

As a condition of employment, Duquesne University requires all new employees —full-time and part-time, including adjunct faculty—to get a COVID-19 vaccine and provide proof of their vaccination upon commencement of employment.

New employees requesting a religious or documented medical exemption from the vaccine must complete and submit a Duquesne University exemption request form for review and approval. To receive the appropriate exemption request form, contact hrservices@duq.edu. Employees with approved exemptions will be required to be tested on a regular basis.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Serves as team lead for all Alumni Engagement initiatives and events; including but not limited to:
1. Assisting AVP for Alumni Engagement (AE) with overall alumni communications strategy.
2. Advising AE staff on communications for individual events and outreach initiative.
3. Managing all aspects of alumni email, including content compilation, writing and editing, design, scheduling, audience targeting, transmission, analytics and reporting.
4. Coordinating design and production of print, digital and multimedia collateral with internal and external vendors.
5. Supporting Associate Director with alumni-related social media planning and posting.

Provides internal customer support and serve as external liaison with online services provider Anthology (iModules).

Manages, maintains and generates content for all Advancement web sites and online forms (Major and Planned Giving, Annual Giving, Alumni Engagement, Campaign).

Supports digital fundraising initiatives by coordinating email and social appeals involving Annual Giving, Major and Planned Giving, the comprehensive Campaign and Alumni Engagement. 

Supervises departmental student intern and/or work-study.

Performs other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Completes other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing or a closely related field from an accredited institution.

Three to five years of professional experience in University Advancement and/or other nonprofit settings.

Knowledge of desktop design, illustration and multimedia production software (such as Adobe Creative Suite or similar platforms).

Proficiency with Microsoft Office platforms (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, One Note).

Experience with email marketing platforms (Anthology/iModules preferred), web content management systems, and social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn).

Alternately, the successful candidate may possess any equivalent combination of experience and training, which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Writing skills with the ability to adapt messages to appropriate audiences and outlets.

Understanding of, and ability to apply, concepts and principles of Development and Alumni Engagement in higher education.

Understanding of, and ability to apply, University branding guidelines and messaging priorities to Development and Alumni Engagement audiences and initiatives>

Attention to detail in planning, editing, proofreading and project management logistics.

Ability to work on multiple assignments under deadline and flexibility to take on new projects as they develop.

Ability to apply creativity to departmental projects within University brand guidelines.

Ability to communicate effectively and establish effective relationships with diverse University colleagues at all levels and to work independently or as a member of a team depending on project requirements.

Sensitivity to the need of each individual to be treated with dignity and respect as it relates to diversity in general and the Mission of the University specifically.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the University Community.

Ability and willingness to contribute actively to the mission of the University and to respect the Spiritan Catholic identity of Duquesne University.  The mission is implemented through a commitment to academic excellence, a spirit of service, moral and spiritual values, sensitivity to world concerns, and an ecumenical campus community.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Applicants are asked to submit a resume and cover letter describing their interest in this position.

Catholic in its mission and ecumenical in spirit, Duquesne University values equality of opportunity as an educational institution and as an employer. We aspire to attract and sustain a diverse faculty and staff that reflects contemporary society, serves our academic goals and enriches our campus community. We particularly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups and support dual-career couples through our charter membership in this region's HERC (http://www.hercjobs.org/oh-western-pa-wv/).

We invite applicants for this position to learn more about our university and its Spiritan heritage by visiting http://www.duq.edu/about/mission-and-identity/mission-statement. Those invited to campus for an interview may be asked about ways in which they see their talents contributing to the continued growth of our community and furthering its mission.