Description: Job Description Summary: The Advancement Communications Coordinator supports the Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving in creating and implementing a comprehensive and dynamic communications strategy that enhances the Advancement department's efforts to build relationships with Samuel Merritt University (SMU) alumni, faculty, staff, University friends, and community partners through:
1. Communications: meaningful University news, stories, and information.
2. Events: reunions, continued medical education, social, and celebratory.
3. Volunteerism: reunion committees, alumni panels, peer-to-peer fundraisers
4. Giving opportunities: giving days, solicitation campaigns, crowdfunding.
Duties and Responsibilities:Strategic Advancement Communications- Develop and implement effective communication strategies that advance the philanthropic goals of the University.
- Proactively identify emerging communication trends and apply them to enhance fundraising engagement.
- Collaborate on design and collateral needs, including photography, video production, print materials, and digital communications for the Advancement Department.
- Partner with the Marketing and Branding Department to create and manage a strategic presence.
- Establish and track key performance indicators, generating regular reports on engagement rates and audience growth to inform strategic decision making.
Editorial Review and Content Creation- Lead in fulfilling the department's communication and editorial needs, with a focus on annual giving, stewardship, and alumni outreach.
- Ensure that all Advancement communications are delivered with a consistent, professional voice according to SMU editorial guidelines.
- Create, review, and edit donor-centric content across platforms, including digital and print publications e.g. solicitations, donor acknowledgments, event invitations, and newsletters.
- Oversee the creation and maintenance of website content for the department.
Project Management- Enhance engagement and support for the University by creating and maintaining a well-coordinated Advancement content/editorial calendar.
- Establish and manage project workflows to ensure timely and efficient completion of communication projects.
- Coordinate with various stakeholders to ensure project delivery.
Requirements:Education and/or Experience- Bachelor's degree in English, communications, journalism, or related field, or an equivalent combination of training and/or experience.
- 2 years' minimum communications experience; academic setting preferred.
- Experience in fundraising and demonstrated knowledge/understanding of the entire giving cycle.
- Experience as a project and/or event coordinator.
- Demonstrated competence in applications such as Microsoft Office, Monday.com, Teams, Thankview, and Workday.
Skills and Abilities:- Understanding of the fundraising process and the importance of building mutually beneficial constituent relationships.
- Ability to communicate with and work collaboratively with many different internal and external project stakeholders.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and a demonstrated team player.
- Ability to relate and communicate with donors, alumni, and University faculty and staff.
- Ability to carry out prudent budget planning, staff/volunteer supervision, and project oversight.
- Willingness to work occasional evenings/weekends and to travel in California.
- Knowledge of the mission of SMU, and connected to SMU communities: Bay Area, Sacramento, and/or Fresno.