"Sr. Director-Strategic Advancement Communications"

Overview

Position Focus:

The Senior Director of Strategic Advancement Communications is a member of Yale Law School’s Alumni Engagement and Development (AED) team and oversees all communications in support of alumni engagement, volunteer engagement, donor engagement, recognition, and fundraising. The Senior Director will plan and execute communication strategies and produce messaging and materials that accelerate engagement and giving using print, digital, and social platforms. The Senior Director will have a demonstrated ability to effectively harness multichannel alumni communications; produce persuasive content; manage short and long-term projects; collaborate successfully with colleagues and stakeholders; mentor staff; meet goals and deadlines; and ensure the accuracy of all alumni communications. The Senior Director reports to the Executive Director for Advancement Services.

The Senior Director will:

• Oversee all communications for alumni events and meetings including print/digital invitations/reminders, programs, remarks, signage, marketing and meeting materials, and follow-up communications; serve as point of contact for post-event alumni and donor event photography/video.
• Collaborate with the Associate Dean, ED for Advancement Services, gift officers, and faculty leaders to develop and articulate a case for support and investment for funding needs. The Senior Director is responsible for writing and translating content into functional materials for fundraising, including proposals, white papers, marketing brochures, appeals, and web content.
• Manage Associate Director; develop annual performance goals and performance metrics for team. Provide regular performance feedback.
• Serve as communications partner and resource to the stewardship team for recurring messaging; provide support of weekly gift acknowledgement letter process, monthly birthday wishes, custom messaging on behalf of dean/assoc. dean, and annual financial/narrative reporting templates.
• Implement an AED-wide system and calendar to coordinate the development and distribution of content and materials for our donors, prospects, and alumni.
• Oversee the development and production of communications for the volunteer engagement team such as membership directories, bios, and meeting materials.
• Serve as liaison with outside communications partners.
• Lead project management of the annual donor report; develop messaging strategy, identify stories for inclusion and provide feedback on drafts.
• Serve as AED point person for Office of Public Affairs to coordinate targeted publications, message and brand. Partner with OPA on strategies to leverage the YLS website to reach and engage our graduates and donors, overseeing creation and ongoing management of content to advance AED goals.
• Stay abreast of initiatives and activities at the school on an ongoing basis in order to provide content ideas for fundraising, engagement, and stewardship projects.
• Work with the AED leadership to identify strategic alumni communication needs and ensure the integration of communications efforts across the office; lead the development of a comprehensive strategic communications plan for AED, and the production of accurate, high- quality deliverables including marketing, solicitation, stewardship, and engagement materials.
• In partnership with the Executive Director of Advancement Services, participate in the development and implementation of a comprehensive, tiered strategy stewarding Yale Law School donors at all giving levels including reports, donor societies, individual stewardship plans, bespoke donor recognition opportunities, correspondence with donors, events, and other mechanisms that demonstrate the impact of donor contributions.

Weekends Required: Occasionally

Nights/Evenings Required: Occasionally

Required Skills and Abilities

Required Skill/Ability 1:

Demonstrated supervision and management skills. Ability to work in a team-based environment, and have the ability to direct and motivate staff and volunteers.

Required Skill/Ability 2:

Demonstrated success in developing and executing strategic advancement communications materials.

Required Skill/Ability 3:

Excellent communication, interpersonal, presentation, and organizational skills; commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Required Skill/Ability 4:

Strong computer software skills including MS Office, Excel, PowerPoint, Canva, databases and networked information systems.

Required Skill/Ability 5:

Ability and willingness to travel, and work some weekends and evenings as needed.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

Proven experience in a complex, matrixed university setting working with alumni and donors. Familiarity with Yale University. Ten years of experience.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Manage a team of communication professionals; responsible for developing staff.
2. Manage relationships with key stakeholders with a high degree of professionalism, judgment, and understanding of stakeholder goals.
3. Oversee design and manage communication plans for stakeholders by understanding the significance of initiatives, administrative and departmental priorities.
4. Ensure organizational effectiveness of administration through short-term and long-range communication planning with insight into audiences, channels, and culture; coordinate with other professionals to achieve institutional goals.
5. Lead planning activities with clients and partners; lead communication process within developed standards and protocol.
6. Create and edit compelling stories; oversee and create content for internal and external channels.
7. Analyze and understand various communication preferences to promote initiatives; create, evaluate, analyze reports based on metrics.
8. Manage multimedia content including video, graphic, web, and photography.
9. Provide guidance and support for departmental projects and services.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, English, Journalism or related field and six years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Job Category: Manager

Time Type: Full time

Work Model: Hybrid

Location: 157 Church Street, New Haven, Connecticut