Essential Functions: JOB PURPOSE Develop, coordinate, implement, and execute communication initiatives for the Office of Alumni Relations (Alumni Relations) and the Wayne State Alumni Association (Association), ensuring that all objectives and content align with the goals and brands of the University and the Association. Create and implement strategies and campaigns to facilitate quality communications to the broad alumni base and key subpopulations and stakeholders. Serve as managing editor of the Wayne State alumni magazine.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSIdentify and create appropriate messages, stories and content for all alumni marketing and communications initiatives. Determine appropriate vehicles including digital, print, social and emerging media, manage execution, and measure return on investment (ROI). Ensure compliance with Alumni Relations brand and identity standards to increase visibility and awareness. Work with development and central marketing to incorporate the alumni voice across division and university messaging. Create and implement strategies and campaigns to facilitate quality communications to the broad alumni base and key subpopulations and stakeholders, including recent alumni, alumni volunteers, regional constituents, university partners and staff, and alumni affinity groups. In collaboration with the Director-Strategic Alumni Initiatives, serve as managing editor of the Wayne State alumni magazine. Implement the vision and direction as set forth by leadership. Manage all activities for production, including scheduling and planning, supervision of writers and photographers, budget management, printing, and distribution.Convene, facilitate, and leverage the magazine's editorial advisory group, ensuring representation and collaboration with schools, colleges, and key university units. Create and execute a long-term strategy for increasing the reach of the magazine to a broader audience (print and digital) and position it as a university-wide marketing tool.Create and maintain content for web and digital platforms on an on-going basis. Manage curation of appropriate content from schools, college, units. Collaborate with alumni and communication officers to build inter-campus relations that ensure content generation and sharing. Serve as critical strategist/writer for talking points, speeches, and program remarks for use by University President, Vice President of Development and Alumni Affairs, Assistant Vice President-Alumni Relations and Association volunteer leadership. Collaborate with university colleagues to ensure alignment of Alumni Relations content with the Association brand, divisional, and university goals and campaigns. Oversee work of communications intern(s). Provide mentorship to Digital Design Specialist. Represent Alumni Relations at various university meetings. Act in the absence of the Director.Research, maintain, and apply a current working knowledge of new technologies, standards and best practices in alumni relations, strategic communications, and marketing. Adhere to confidentiality and data usage policy of the division.This position requires a high level of commitment and enthusiasm. It will require regular evening and weekend work to support Association board meetings, time-sensitive projects and participation in scheduled university and alumni relations events, such as Commencement, Welcome Week, Homecoming and Alumni Week.Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications: MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSEducation: Bachelor's degreeAdditional Education Information: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in public relations, marketing, communications, or related field. Experience: ExperiencedAdditional Experience Information: Minimum three (3) years experience in communications/publications management, preferably in a fundraising, higher education, marketing, or non-profit environment. Successful track record of developing, implementing, and executing communication plans and content strategies and integrating across multiple platforms (print, digital and social, etc.).Experience, understanding, and interest in Alumni Relations' best practices and general operations.Positive and collaborative professional philosophy, recognizing that this position is integral to the achievement of the Alumni Relations' goals and objectives. Experience in a higher education or non-profit environment preferred. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIESCOMMUNICATIONS SKILLS: Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and professionally both orally and in writing. Strong interpersonal skills are a must. PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION: Ability to manage several projects simultaneously, prioritize and plan work activities while meeting respective deadlines. Strong organizational and time-management skills.ANALYTICAL AND PRESENTATION SKILLS: Ability to evaluate, interpret, and present complex information effectively in professionally prepared documents or presentations. Must possess a demonstrated attention to detail to achieve a high degree of accuracy.TECHNICAL SKILLS: Expert level writing and editing skills to use language effectively and creatively, apply AP style guidelines, recognize and use English grammar, spelling and punctuation correctly; understand and translate complex concepts into lay terms. Proficient in the use of complex administrative systems software, preferably in the higher education environment. Proficient with Microsoft Office suite, especially Word, Excel and PowerPoint. LEARNING AGILITY: Independent and innovative self-starter who displays an ability to learn quickly and easily adapts to changing situations. Experience researching topics to gain knowledge and understanding when information gaps exist.TEAMWORK: Ability and eagerness to collaborate effectively with colleagues within the division and other units. |
