The Associate Director of Digital Communications is responsible for providing the division with support around digital media, including Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) web properties; strategy and best practices around social media; and serving as a resource for several digital platforms, including Marketing Cloud for internal and external broadcast emails and Canva for proposal templates. Working collaboratively with university colleagues, the Associate Director of Digital Communications will provide strategic direction as well as help maintain our digital properties to enhance engagement of donors, alumni, and other constituents, ultimately contributing to the university’s fundraising goals and overall success.
About the Work Unit:
Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. DAR is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of the university’s teaching and research programs. You can visit our website for more information: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/dar/
Key Functions and Expected Performance:
Provide leadership in the development and implementation of digital media strategies, specifically focused on DAR content that will increase alumni engagement and support of the Dare to Grow campaign. In collaboration with other DAR Communications, university Communications and Marketing (MarComm), and university partners, manage the overall strategic direction of DAR’s web properties with development content, including but not limited to the Dare to Grow campaign website, constituent websites for alumni and parent audiences, and the division’s external website and internal intranet. Work in partnership with colleagues across the division to evaluate and provide best-in-class web presence. Regularly assess DAR’s web presence, including current site structure and content. Develop digital strategy that advances the university’s priorities and DAR’s strategic goals, including ongoing and sustained enhancement of campaign website with an eye toward development presence post-campaign close. Collaborate with MarComm and school-based communicators to ensure integration of development messages across Vanderbilt sites where relevant, particularly serving as a strategic advisor to school communicators in bringing to life development/fundraising messaging on school sites. Collaborate with MarComm colleagues, DAR colleagues and school communicators to inform and drive a comprehensive social media plan involving the social media accounts for DAR audiences. Assist with the DAR-related content on university and school channels where appropriate. Serve as a resource to DAR colleagues on social media best practices and account management. Participate in the evaluation of new technologies and tools for their potential to drive critically important improvements and to drive engagement and giving. Collaborate with MarComm and DAR colleagues to ensure day-to-day updates of DAR sites are completed in a timely manner, with an eye toward continuous improvement of content and functionality. Serve as a key contact and knowledge expert on the university’s broadcast email platform. Serve as a key contact and knowledge expert on Canva to assist DAR team members with their communications needs. In partnership with DAR Communications colleagues—including the Director of Internal Communications---develop and send internal and external broadcast emails, such as staff newsletters and communications to key donors and constituents. Develop content for DAR web properties, including new or updated content as needed. Assist with the development of social media content as needed. Perform other duties as assigned; some evening and weekend work is required.Supervisory Relationships:
This position has no direct supervisory responsibility, though it may involve leading a team on special projects as needed. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Development Communications.Work environment:
This is a hybrid role based in Nashville – in the office approximately 1 day per week depending on business needs.
Education and Certifications:
Bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent, is necessary.Experience and Skills:
3-4 years of related experience, or the equivalent, is necessary 5 years of relevant communication experience is preferred. Experience in responsive web design and content management systems (such as WordPress, OmniUpdate). Experience with broadcast email design (Emma, Marketing Cloud) a plus. Experience developing social media plans. Developing plans for fundraising and audience engagement a plus. Strong HTML and CSS skills. Preferred knowledge of Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva and some knowledge of HTML code editing Advanced understanding of social media technologies. Understanding of fundraising, cultivation and stewardship. Ability to work independently, assuming responsibility, prioritizing and carrying out duties with minimum supervision. Excellent proofreading skills with precise attention to detail. Excellent track record of customer service. Strong organizational skills, oral and written communications skills, and the ability to articulate the needs, interests, and accomplishments of Vanderbilt University to a wide range of audiences. Capacity to perform in an intellectually rigorous and complex environment; must exhibit personal characteristics enabling effective interaction with important constituencies, and possess a genuine commitment to the advancement of education and to the principles governing the work of DAR. Values the importance of equity as an organizational operating principle and is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.
Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.