As a member of the College of Biological Sciences advancement team, the Advancement Marketing and Communications Specialist plays a key role in moving forward strategic fundraising priorities through targeted communication. The person in this role will have a good eye for design and an interest in visual communication, experience using email marketing and social media tools, and event planning and coordination skills. They will play a key role in elevating the College of Biological Sciences through strategic events and marketing initiatives that will engage with a broad audience including CBS donors, alumni, students and faculty.

This position is hybrid. The person in this position will be expected to work on campus three days a week. Advancement offices are located on the U’s campus in St. Paul. Applicants should expect to collaborate virtually, using tools such as Zoom and the Google suite of applications. Salary range: $58K-$62K

Advancement content strategy and development (60%)

• Develop and execute creative, meaningful stewardship communications for annual giving donors and the CBS Dean’s Circle
• Contribute content for publications geared toward external audiences. Write profiles about alumni, donors, and student scholarship and fellowship recipients for use on the college’s website and publications
• Work with the chief advancement officer to develop mass solicitation and stewardship strategies, and develop targeted solicitation letter text and email copy
• Develop and execute communications plans for Give to the Max Day and other crowdfunding campaigns
• Coordinate video and photo shoots for advancement projects highlighting key priorities, scholarship recipients and donors.
• Production, scheduling, delivery and reporting of promotional and transactional email and marketing campaigns
• Develop a communications strategy by using prospect behavior and data to better target CBS alumni and donors
• Analyze results of email campaigns to propose tests and ideas for improvement
• Stay up-to-date on current communications trends and best practices. Identify opportunities to integrate new communications technologies

Event management (20%)

• Lead the planning and coordination of the college’s largest annual event – the CBS Recognition and Appreciation Dinner, which includes: managing the project team and related deadlines; invitation development and mailing, event communications, vendor management, and guest services.
• Assist with the strategy, planning and execution of public facing events that target CBS alumni and donors
• Coordinate event promotion for annual and alumni events that includes: developing content, building and sending emails in Salesforce, and developing marketing materials as needed.

Social media strategy coordination (10%)

• Develop a social media plan and editorial calendar focused on alumni and donor audience.
• Create content targeting alumni and donors. Measure success of posts.
• Coordinate social media campaigns in support of fundraising and alumni engagement efforts.

Additional duties (10%)

• Manage queries for the advancement team.
• Develop content strategy and make updates to the give section of the CBS website.
• Provide support for alumni awards - promotion, communication with award recipients, letters, certificates, etc.
• Develop CBS-branded items to give to donors and alumni.
• Provide email marketing support for internal communications as needed.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree and 2+ years relevant experience or a combination of education and relevant experience to equal six years.
• Experience using graphic design, web editing, and email software.
• Strong people skills and a collaborative work style.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and activities, and meet deadlines.
• An ability to work independently and take initiative, while remaining collaborative.

Preferred

• Versatile writer/content creator able to produce content in a variety of formats (e.g.  feature-length articles, marketing  emails, social media posts).
• Strong grasp of grammar and experience with copyediting and proofreading.
• Background or strong interest in the biological sciences.
• Experience with Adobe products (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator), Mailchimp, Drupal.
• Familiarity with University systems including DMS and Salesforce Marketing Software.
• Video and photography skills and an interest in growing in these areas.
• Professional or personal experience that could lend itself to working in higher education, especially at a public research university

About University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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