Associate Director of Philanthropic Communications

Job Description

Job Description

At the UND Alumni Association & Foundation, we're looking for a talented storyteller who can inspire generosity through compelling writing and meaningful connections. As the Associate Director of Philanthropic Communications , you'll help bring UND's impact to life by creating donor proposals, fundraising materials, and stories that support scholarships, groundbreaking research, and life-changing opportunities for students.

If you're passionate about storytelling with purpose and want your work to make a lasting impact on students, faculty, and the future of UND, we'd love to hear from you.

The Associate Director of Philanthropic Communications plays a key role in growing philanthropic support for the University of North Dakota by connecting donors to the people and programs that make UND strong. This includes telling the stories of student success, research, and community impact across the state and region.

This position works closely with major gift officers and campus partners to create proposals, cases for support, and other communications that help secure major and planned gifts. The role requires a strong writer and a disciplined project manager who can move work forward, keep projects on track, and deliver high-quality materials on deadline.

The ideal candidate is a proactive, self-directed professional who takes initiative, builds relationships, and is comfortable reaching out — calling colleagues, interviewing donors, and following up to get what’s needed.

Major & Principal Gifts Communications

1. Partner with major gift officers to create donor proposals, briefings, and materials used in cultivation and stewardship.
2. Lead the development of clear, compelling cases for support for UND priorities, including colleges, programs, scholarships, faculty positions, and capital projects.
3. Turn complex ideas into straightforward, persuasive messaging for donors.

Strategic Fundraising Content

1. Develop fundraising materials across print, digital, and presentation formats.
2. Identify strong story ideas and follow through—interviewing sources, gathering details, and producing content that supports fundraising goals.
3. Create and maintain a set of core materials that gift officers can use in donor meetings.

Planned Giving Communications

1. Serve as a member of the planned giving committee.
2. Lead marketing for planned giving, including messaging and materials that encourage donors to make legacy gifts.

Donor Stewardship & Impact

1. Work with stewardship and donor relations teams to produce impact reports, donor stories, and recognition materials.
2. Show donors how their gifts make a difference through clear and credible storytelling.

Digital & Campaign Support

1. Manage content for giving and impact-related web pages, keeping information current and easy to understand.
2. Support communications for campaigns and special initiatives.
3. Work with designers and development staff to produce polished, on-brand materials.

Storytelling

1. Write alumni and donor stories for the UND Alumni Magazine and other channels.

Project Management & Collaboration

1. Manage multiple projects at once, keeping work on schedule and stakeholders informed.
2. Take ownership of projects from start to finish, including helping shape approach, messaging, and direction.
3. Build strong working relationships across development, marketing, and campus partners.
4. Ensure accuracy, clarity, and consistency in all work.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, English, or related field
• Experience writing for multiple formats (print, web, email, etc.)
• Strong project management experience, including managing timelines and multiple stakeholders
• Excellent writing, editing, and interviewing skills

Preferred:

• 3-5+ years of experience in communications, marketing, or public relations
• Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or fundraising settings
• Familiarity with major gifts, campaigns, or planned giving

• Clear, effective writer who can adjust tone for different audiences
• Strong project manager who meets deadlines and keeps others on track
• Self-starter who takes initiative and follows through
• Comfortable reaching out, asking questions, and building relationships
• Organized and detail-oriented
• Able to manage multiple priorities without losing quality
• Collaborative and easy to work with
• Professional and able to handle confidential information with care

PHYSICAL & COGNITIVE REQUIREMENTS

Ability to operate computers, telephones, and other standard office equipment. Ability to focus and complete work in a timely manner. Ability to travel independently via car and air. Ability to occasionally bend, stoop, squat, and lift or move objects up to 10 pounds.

The UND Alumni Association & Foundation supports employees through a highly competitive total compensation package that includes competitive pay and an excellent benefits package, along with career growth opportunities, and supports work-life blend for our employees.

Benefits at UNDAAF includes health insurance with employer contributions towards premium, retirement plan with generous employer contributions, employer paid life and long-term disability insurance, paid holidays, generous paid time off policy, paid volunteer opportunities, EAP, UND tuition waiver, summer hours. Other elective benefits available: flexible benefits plans, dental, vision, STD, cancer care, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, voluntary life insurance for spouse and dependents.

The UND Alumni Association & Foundation recognizes that work-life blend is an important component of a larger picture of life responsibilities, obligations, goals and interests. We will make every effort in creating a work-life blend model that reflects life situations while also ensuring maximum productivity.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support Visa sponsorship for continued employment.

This position will be an in-office position.