Associate Director of Communications and Development Strategy

ASO DIR, Communications

The Associate Director of Communications & Development Strategy will serve as an integral member of the Principal Gifts & Strategic Initiatives team. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Principal, the incumbent is responsible for managing the production of donor-centric strategic communications and messaging, Advancement leadership correspondence and stewardship plan coordination. The incumbent will also provide strategic support for donor event planning efforts independently or in conjunction with Donor Relations, Strategic Communications & Marketing, Board Relations, and other representatives. The Associate Director will work closely and in collaboration with the Interim Director for VP Advancement Communications and the Strategic Communications & Marketing team and have frequent personal contact with University constituents, including faculty and staff, as well as University, and UF Advancement officials and staff as assigned. This position exercises independent judgment, confidentiality, and discretion.

Role and Responsibilities:

Principal Gift Communications

• Oversee and manage the strategy, development, and direction of communications.
• Review and edit materials produced by the Assistant Director of Communications & Development Strategy and Communications Strategist.
• Manage the production of communication projects focused on many of the university’s most prominent donors.
• Conceptualize, create, develop, and write proposals and numerous other communication projects to support donor cultivation, engagement and stewardship.
• Provide strategic support in developing highly customized donor philanthropy reports including: executive/presidential briefs, stewardship reports and special reports for UF's top donors and prospects.
• Develop tailored concept papers, case statements, strategic campaign plans and proposals for fundraising initiatives, with a specific focus on university priority initiatives.
• Interact closely with development staff to obtain and organize information and materials to best write, edit, research, and design quality concept papers and proposals tailored to each donor or prospect.
• Oversee and manage the creation of visioning and benchmarking documents designed to help units and colleges develop key concepts that can be presented to PG-level donors.
• Coordinate and collaborate with the Interim Director for VP Advancement Communications and Strategic Communications & Marketing, and assist other related departments/units at the direction of the AVP.
• Manage the coordination of leadership correspondence for PG donors and other Advancement VIPs, ensuring key stakeholders receive timely gift acknowledgements and other stewardship messages from the University President and Vice President for Advancement.
• Oversee the production of talking points to help guide advancement meetings with PG donors and script remarks for leadership and other stakeholders during UF Advancement-led summits and events that include PG donors.
• Work closely with the AVP to strategically move forward donor-centric strategies at the PG level.

Strategic Projects

• Develop, initiate, and execute action plans for projects.
• Ensure that project goals and timelines are met in a timely fashion.
• Track project activities and results.
• Partner with the AVP in the formulation of policies and procedures as they pertain to the unit.
• Attend and participate in planning and strategy sessions and work groups about UF's top donors, prospects and fundraising initiatives and provide critical communications feedback and support.
• Facilitate/Coordinate communication projects that arise from strategy sessions.

Strategic Communications & Marketing Collaboration

• Collaborate with the Strategic Communications & Marketing team, with guidance from its Executive Director, to coordinate and direct the production of collateral materials, and produce and write marketing materials.
• Strategize with this SC&M team on communication materials for the capital campaign that would impact PG and Presidential prospects/donors.
• Work with fellow communicators centrally—especially the Interim Director for VP Advancement Communications—and across colleges/units in the creation and dissemination of PG communication materials.

Donor Relations Collaboration

• Collaborate with the Donor Relations team to produce strategic and high-quality stewardship materials for PG and Presidential prospects/donors, especially leadership correspondence and gift acknowledgments.
• Assist this team with projects related to PG and Presidential prospects/donors.
• Manage the production of gift acknowledgement letters produced for donors at the PG and Presidential levels.

Tracking and Administrative

• Manage the archival of proposals, concept papers, and stewardship reports.
• Track proposal (number requested, number completed, and outcomes of requests) to measure performance in this area.
• Plan and monitor the budget, using resources for best results. Ensure agreed-upon deliverables and costs are tracked and delivered on schedule, as appropriate.
• Research industry standards, trends, breakthroughs and best practices, communicating results to the team and senior leadership. Implement changes accordingly to maintain competitiveness among peers and to meet agreed-upon goals and objectives as determined by strategic plan and goals.
• Oversee programs and resources to ensure they are in alignment with UF Advancement’s Vision and Values of Excellence, Discovery & Innovation, Inclusion, Freedom & Civility, Community and Stewardship; ensure best practices in office systems, practices, files and record keeping; ensure effective use of strategic tools and resources.

Commensurate with education and experience.

Master’s degree in appropriate area of specialization and four years of relevant experience; or a bachelor’s degree in appropriate areas of specialization and six years of relevant experience.

A valid Florida driver license is required.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Five years or more of university development experience in the communications field preferred.
• Excellent technical, persuasive writing, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated journalistic writing abilities and professional publications or editorial experience preferred.
• Must possess a proficiency in communicating effectively with diverse audiences in conversations and through documents.
• Must be an outstanding communicator and possess excellent written and verbal communication skills; interpersonal skills; and the ability to work collegially and interact effectively with a diverse constituency.
• Knowledge of advancement philosophy and practices; higher education experience preferred.
• Ability to problem-solve, using investigative research and analytical skills to develop and implement creative solutions.
• Skill requiring judgment to take initiative, accurately establish priorities, complete complex assignments in a timely manner, and adapt quickly to changing needs and in dealing with people who present conflicting challenges.
• Strong computer skills in these areas: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, internet browsers, preferably Internet Explorer, and Outlook. Working knowledge of a donor database, contact management and tracking system is highly preferred.
• An appreciation for and support of diversity in the workplace in all its forms; proven success working with stakeholders; excellent strategic planning and project management skills; experience in a data-driven environment; organizational skills; and the ability to lead, influence and motivate others are required.
• Off campus travel may be required.

This position has been reposted. Previous applicants are still under consideration and need not reapply.

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter, resume and three references.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.