"Associate Director, Development Communications"

Overview

Reporting to the Director of Communications, the Associate Director, Development Communications, supports and enhances Yale University’s fundraising efforts by overseeing a team responsible for research, preparation, and production of a wide range of high-level print and digital publications including: case statements and other fundraising communications; magazines; brochures, booklets, special stewardship publications, newsletters, direct mail/email, and news articles; scripting and production of video and web content; individual and templated gift proposals; and special projects as assigned. The Associate Director also conducts background research on, selects, and interviews subject-matter experts, including administrators, faculty, donors, students, and other individuals from all levels and disciplines throughout the university as necessary to create compelling content for a variety of publications and reports. In addition, the Associate Director maintains a unit editorial calendar, conducts accurate and thorough research on donors, report recipients, gifts and pledges, and gains a full understanding of the university’s relationship with the donors and the purposes of their funds/gifts to inform the writing and production of targeted communications to high level donors and prospects.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Excellent writing and editing skills. Writing/editing samples required. Ability to produce clear, elegant, concise, and effective pieces and reports. Requires the ability to adapt writing style to a wide variety of situations and audiences. Excellent verbal communications and interpersonal skills.
2. Familiarity with and ability to manage the sourcing of relevant imagery to support written and digital communications.
3. Strong research, analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills. Experience conducting research using databases and Internet resources. Extremely precise attention to detail and accuracy.
4. Ability to work effectively across all levels of the university with colleagues, administrators, development officers, faculty members, and students. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
5. Ability to manage creative projects, to work both independently and as an effective team leader or member, and to handle multiple projects simultaneously. Ability to work in a deadline-oriented, production environment.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Manage the drafting, formatting, proofreading, editing, and production of written materials and supporting illustrations for a variety of high-level print and digital publications. Meet with administrators and faculty as needed to obtain background information and/or determine how to best align written materials with Yale’s fundraising priorities.
2. Supervise, mentor, and coach a team of writers in the writing and production of a wide variety of print and digital publications in support of Yale’s fundraising efforts.
3. Develop and maintain project schedules for self and team; proactively work to streamline processes and introduce efficiencies and tracking protocols into team projects and initiatives.
4. Conduct background research on, select, and interview a wide range of individuals and subject-matter experts to create compelling content for publications. Conduct accurate and thorough background research on donors and their gifts/pledges as needed.
5. Work with key colleagues to draft and edit and/or oversee the drafting/editing of campaign communications tailored to different audiences and covering a wide range of university fundraising priorities and Initiatives.
6. Suggest process and procedure improvements and ideas for enhanced communications to Yale’s prospects and donors across all audience segments.
7. Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in a related field such as journalism, communications, or English, and five years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Job Details

• Posted: 17-Nov-25
• Location: New Haven, Connecticut
• Categories: Staff/Administrative
• Internal Number: 129879WD
• Salary Range: 0.00 - 0.00
• Job Posting Date: 10/06/2025
• Job Category: Manager
• Time Type: Full time
• Work Model: Hybrid
• Location: 157 Church Street, New Haven, Connecticut