Executive Director of Advancement Marketing and Communications
The Executive Director of Advancement Marketing and Communications serves as the strategic leader responsible for the design and execution of a comprehensive advancement marketing and communications effort to strengthen philanthropic support and engagement for Washington and Lee University. Working collaboratively across Advancement and in close partnership with University Communications and Public Affairs, the Executive Director develops, aligns, and elevates clear, compelling, and consistent messaging that inspires alumni, parents, donors, and prospective donors to engage with and invest in the university.
Reporting directly to the Vice President of University Advancement, the Executive Director is an integral part of the Vice President's senior team working to amplify the impact of philanthropy, highlight the value of the W&L network, and promote lifelong learning opportunities. The role oversees a professional marketing and communications team to proactively manage advancement messaging strategy, content creation, digital engagement, and analytics-driven marketing initiatives.
The Executive Director will play a key leadership role in advancing the university's Leading Lives of Consequence campaign and shaping the long-term philanthropic narrative of Washington and Lee University. (learn more at https://campaign.wlu.edu/).
Washington and Lee University actively promotes a dynamic and welcoming environment that allows students and employees of multiple backgrounds and perspectives to learn, work, and thrive together. Successful candidates will contribute to that environment and exhibit potential for excellence in their areas of expertise.
Essential Functions
- Leads integrated advancement marketing and communications
strategies aligned with institutional priorities that advance
fundraising goals and deepen engagement.
- Serves as primary strategist and liaison between University
Advancement and Communications and Public Affairs to ensure
consistent advancement messaging, brand alignment, and coordination
across platforms.
- Leads storytelling efforts that elevate donor impact, alumni
achievement, and institutional priorities.
- Develops annual advancement marketing plans that deliver
cohesive themes and messages across all channels including
maintenance of a division-wide marketing and communications
calendar.
- Establishes and tracks key performance indicators to measure
impact and effectiveness to support data informed decisions.
- Oversees University Advancement web content and social media
strategy, coordinating closely with University Communications and
Public Affairs.
- Uses CRM systems and analytics to segment audiences,
personalize outreach, measure engagement, and continuously improve
communication strategies.
- Supports University Advancement events through strategic
messaging, promotion, and targeted communications while ensuring
event materials reinforce campaign priorities, engagement goals,
and institutional identity.
- Convenes and leads University Advancement marketing and
communications working group to coordinate work across the
division, drive strategy, monitor results, and ensure coordination
with Communications and Public Affairs.
- Leads, mentors, and develops University Advancement marketing
and communications staff; manages relationships with external
agencies, consultants, and vendors as needed.
- Partners with University Communications and Public Affairs to
announce major gifts and secure strategic visibility for current
and prospective supporters across appropriate channels.
- Working with partners and staff liaisons across University
Advancement, equips more than 1,000 advancement volunteers with
clear messaging and materials to empower them to serve as effective
ambassadors.
- Oversees development of advancement print and digital
communications, including campaigns, email, web, social media,
publications, and event materials, with a focus on compelling
storytelling and donor impact and in coordination with
Communications and Public Affairs.
- Ensures all University Advancement marketing and communications
are accurate, strategic, and aligned with university brand
standards.
- Writes, edits, and advises on messaging for solicitations,
proposals, stewardship and impact reports, presentations, and
events.
- Manages budgets, timelines, and deliverables to ensure
high-quality outcomes and as needed serves as University
Advancement's primary liaison to creative vendors.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in marketing, journalism, communications, or
related field with advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum of seven years demonstrated professional experience in
marketing and communications, with preference for direct experience
in advancement and higher education.
- Extensive knowledge of integrated marketing strategy, brand
management, digital marketing, audience segmentation, and data
analytics.
- Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling ability.
- Proficiency with marketing tools, CMS/CRM platforms, and design
software.
- Demonstrated leadership and experience managing a professional
team of skilled marketing and communications staff and external
partners.
- Knowledge of best practices in university advancement higher
education fundraising, engagement, communication, and
stewardship.
- Exceptional collaborative skills and commitment to the mission
and values of Washington and Lee University.
Application Instructions:
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Required materials include:
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Names and contact information for three professional
references
- Candidates selected for interview may be asked to provide
samples of marketing and communications work.
Application instructions for internal and external candidates can be found at https://www.wlu.edu/employment-opportunities/jobs-at-w-l.
Compensation:
The expected annual salary for this position is between $100,000 - $130,000.
Offers are based on factors such as qualifications, relevant experience, skills, internal equity, and market and organizational considerations.
Washington and Lee University also offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being of employees and their families. To learn more about working at W&L, benefits, and life in the Shenandoah Valley, visit jobs.wlu.edu.
Physical Requirements:
- Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working,
primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in
handling.
- Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and
palm.
- Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of
the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
Working Conditions: The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
Types of Work: Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Position Type:
Exempt, Full Time, Benefit Eligible Washington and Lee is an Equal Opportunity Employer seeking candidates committed to high standards of scholarship, performance, professionalism, and to a welcoming campus community. Job description requirements are representative, but not all‐inclusive of the knowledge, skill, and abilities needed to successfully perform this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
To apply, visit: https://wlu.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WLUCareers/job/Lexington-VA/Executive-Director-of-Advancement-Marketing-and-Communications_R1426
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