Assistant Director of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving Marketing

The Assistant Director of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving Marketing position is a marketing and communications role within Institutional Advancement and receives guidance, instruction, and training from the Marketing and Communications team. This position is responsible for the implementation of marketing strategy, plan, and communications of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving initiatives, as well as other marketing efforts of Institutional Advancement. 

In this position, the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving is responsible for the implementation of all multimedia communications, supporting the engagement programs for alumni, students-as-alumni, parents, families, donors and friends of Ferrum College. In addition, this position is responsible for the annual implementation of marketing efforts for fundraising solicitations focused on the Ferrum Fund and targeted to all solicitable stakeholders. This includes spring, fall, calendar-year-end, and fiscal-year-end solicitations each year, as well as one Ferrum Fund-focused giving day per year. In addition, this includes partnering with and supporting one to two Athletics giving days for the fundraising for the Athletics teams. This position will also support other Institutional Advancement fundraising, marketing, and communications, as needed. 

This position has a critical role in contributing to and supporting the increase in alumni engagement and financial gifts to Ferrum College. The position contributes to achieving strategic objectives, the launch of a Ferrum Rising movement and marketing and communications plan, and a comprehensive marketing schedule and calendar. 

Marketing and Communications for Alumni Engagement Duties :

• Contribute to the marketing strategy and plan for all alumni engagement efforts, with a focus on increasing the alumni engagement and support of Ferrum College and its students. 
• Design, create, and launch mass emails for the Alumni Relations program, including obtaining appropriate reviews and approvals before launching. 
• Design, create, and launch social media posts for the Alumni Relations program, including obtaining appropriate reviews and approvals before launching. 
• Create graphic designs for the emails, social media posts, and other communications and marketing collateral. 
• Create online registration forms for alumni engagement events, properly utilizing the event registration platform within the provided system.
• Draft content for communications for review and approval. 
• Work with program partners for content and graphics for shared alumni engagement initiatives. 
• Take quality photos and video at alumni engagement events, as needed. 
• Edit photos and videos for inclusion in marketing materials, posts, web pages, etc. 
• Contribute to, manage, and maintain a comprehensive marketing calendar for all internal and involved stakeholders. 
• Analyze communications data to report effectiveness of marketing efforts. 
• Ensure deadlines are met. 

Marketing and Communications for Annual Giving Duties: 

• Contribute to the annual marketing strategy and plan for annual giving, with a focus on increasing annual financial gifts to the Ferrum Fund and donor loyalty. 
• According to the strategy, design, create, and launch mass emails (including reviews and approvals) targeted to all solicitable stakeholders for spring, fall, calendar-year-end, and fiscal-year-end solicitations each year, as well as one Ferrum Fund-focused giving day per year. 
• Design, create, and launch social media posts for the annual giving campaigns. 
• Create graphic designs for the emails, social media posts, and other communications and marketing collateral for the annual giving campaigns. 
• Partner with and support one to two Athletics giving days for fundraising for the Athletics teams by designing, creating, and launching mass marketing emails, social media posts, and other communications as needed and according to the design strategy with the goal of increasing giving to the Athletics programs. 

Marketing and Communications for other Institutional Advancement Projects

• Contribute to the marketing strategy and plans for Institutional Advancement communications to donors and prospective donors. 
• Design, create, and launch fundraising communications, donor appreciation communications, and giving society communications. 
• Provide marketing and communications support for donor and fundraising events, including online registration as needed. 
• Create graphic designs as needed for fundraising and donor marketing initiatives. 

Collaboration with the Marketing and Communications Teams

• Partner and collaborate closely with the college's Marketing and Communications Office for guidance and direction on proper use and application of the college's brand identity. 
• Serve as a partner in protecting and promoting the college's brand, brand positioning, and reputation. 
• Serve as partner in telling the story of Ferrum College. 
• Collaborate and partner closely on a comprehensive and central marketing and communications schedule and calendar. 
• Utilize software tools and platforms provided by both Marketing & Communications and Institutional Advancement. 
• Participate in training and professional development opportunities with the Marketing & Communications team. 

Supervision Given : Potentially Supervise Work Study Students

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Marketing, Communications, Graphic Design, or a related field. 
• Experience in creative design, social media management, or marketing, with leadership experience. 
• Strong understanding of design principles, visual storytelling, and digital media production. 
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and oversee multiple projects simultaneously. 
• Proficiency in creative tools (ex. Adobe Creative Suite) and familiarity with digital marketing platforms. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to work some after-hours events with the Director of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving and Institutional Advancement team. 

Preferred Qualifications:
1. Exceptional organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance competing deadlines and priorities. 
2. Experience in higher education or mission-driven organization. 
3. Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams. 
4. Passion for creativity, innovation, and Ferrum College's mission. 

Reports To:  Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving