"Associate Director of Digital Content"

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Marketing and Production, the Associate Director of Digital Content plays a pivotal role in shaping and executing the digital communications strategy for Rice University's Development and Alumni Relations division. The Associate Director manages the creation, implementation and optimization of email marketing efforts, drives the accuracy and growth of constituent data and preferences, and ensures brand consistency across all digital channels. Key activities include creating targeted email campaigns for fundraising and alumni engagement initiatives, analyzing email metrics and trends, and collaborating with writers, designers, information services, and other division partners on multichannel communications efforts. The Associate Director leads and supervises digital content team members and actively contributes to university-wide and community-wide initiatives, strengthening the organization's visibility and impact as a strategic partner and thought leader.

The ideal candidate will be highly organized, curious and creative, with proven experience meeting deadlines and an ability to work cross-functionally on a variety of digital projects, offering advice and expertise while remaining flexible and collaborative.

Workplace Requirements

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.*

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• Three or more (3+) years of related professional experience in a marketing, communications, social media or other closely related field

Skills

• Knowledge of digital technology and platforms, current and future trends
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Demonstrated problem solver
• Ability to leverage current and future trends to produce measurable results that aid in the success of the organization
• Ability to work independently to meet expected deadlines and schedules
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Knowledge of different social publishing platforms
• Experience with content management systems
• Experience with email marketing systems
• Experience with customer relationship management (CRM) systems
• Understanding of email marketing metrics and best practices

Preferences

• Four or more (4+) years of related professional experience referenced above
• One or more (1+) years of direct supervisory experience
• Experience managing or executing email components of integrated marketing campaigns
• Process-oriented
• Understanding of project management systems
• Experience with email marketing a/b testing, automation and database integrations
• Experience working in higher education
• Experience working in a nonprofit fundraising campaign or initiative
• Experience with Blackbaud Internet Solutions and/or Blackbaud CRM

Essential Functions

• Manages the development and implementation of the digital communication strategy for Development and Alumni Relations
• Supervises the digital content team members, who are responsible for the writing, design and production coordination of digital communication and marketing materials
• Manages the execution of robust email marketing campaigns, including segmentation, automation and other email best practices
• Creates direct marketing efforts using the advancement CRM (OwlConnect, powered by Blackbaud), requests and/or pulls email queries, builds and tests emails, and optimizes templates for best results
• Actively manages and improves the contactability results through advanced segmentation, calendar management, metrics and analysis, advanced a/b testing, and other targeted marketing approaches
• Oversees digital community-building through social media channels
• Participates in university-wide and community-wide initiatives and cross-functional teams to establish the organization as a strategic partner and thought leader
• Ensures brand consistency and integrity across all digital channels and assets, including messaging, imagery, and tone of voice
• Partners with internal stakeholders and campus partners to achieve program goals and to ensure coordination
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Provide general marketing expertise and best practice guidance, including for accessibility
• May help with UX/UI web design activities and managing websites

Special Instructions to Applicants

All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues. The cover letter should include a link to an online portfolio of work samples.