Posting Details
First Section
Who We Are
At Gonzaga we don’t just state our mission. We live it every day as a Catholic, Jesuit, and humanistic University. It is the reason we exist and the foundation for our purpose: educating students for lives of leadership and service. From students to faculty and staff members, everyone here knows what we stand for – and they know how valuable our mission is to the success of our institution.
Our diverse selection of benefits is part of Gonzaga’s commitment to care for and meet the needs of our employees and their families. The University provides full-time employees in their first year: a PPO Medical plan administered by Premera Blue Cross, employer-paid dental programs through Delta Dental, vision coverage through VSP, employer-paid Life Insurance, and optional employee-paid Life Insurance through Lincoln Financial, TIAA 403(b) Retirement plan including free onsite financial planning and advising, Employee Assistance Program through Supportlinc, Zagfit Wellness program with access to GU’s onsite fitness center and Spokane Transit Authority (STA) bus passes. Additionally, full-time (40 hours per week) staff employees accrue 4 hours of sick time per pay period (pro-rated for less than 40 hours/week), vacation time starting at 5 hours per pay period (pro-rated for less than 40 hours/week) and 17 paid holidays. Additional benefits such as Long Term Disability and Tuition Waivers are available after the first year of employment.
For more information, click here.
Position Title
Advancement Communications Specialist
Posting Number
S1943P
Department
Alumni Association
Work Schedule
Employment Status
Regular
Temporary or Fixed-Term Assignment End Date
Hours per Week
40
Months per Year
12
Job Purpose
The Advancement Communications Specialist is responsible for the content development of all GU alumni relations print and electronic communications channels including direct mail pieces, annual reports, websites, email marketing, and mobile applications. The position manages all social media accounts and is responsible for developing and executing integrated marketing campaigns across multiple social platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and other developing platforms) and websites.
Target Salary
Minimum Salary
43459
Salary Midpoint
51128
Maximum Salary
58797
Essential Functions
Essential Function Category Title
Digital Communications
% of time for section
40
Function Details
- Develops strategies, plans and content for digital marketing campaigns across alumni relations digital entities (social media, mobile app, email and website) in support of Advancement goals (specifically, alumni engagement and annual giving participation)
- Develops and implements a social media strategy that contributes to the overall Advancement communication goals and strategies
- Nurtures, cultivates and engages GU alumni across various online communities; serves as Alumni Relations “voice” in responding to interactions with the platforms
- Acquires new fans and followers and retain existing fans and followers
- Develops creative messages and innovative engagement campaigns for use in social media platforms
- Develops and coordinates social media ads and other promotions in partnership with the Office of Marketing and Communications
- Measures, tracks and reports the effectiveness of digital campaigns and develop actionable best practices for improving performance, including engagement metrics and conversions
- Serves as lead social content manager, responsible for the creation and curation of social media content for Alumni Relations websites to be shared on social channels; establishes and communicates best practices for all official social media platforms used by the alumni relations department.
- Serves as alumni relations’ representative on university-wide social media work groups and meet regularly with the Office of Marketing and Communications as well as University units to effectively coordinate social media campaigns
- Coordinates the use of social media management software and provide access and training to alumni relations’ colleagues who utilize the tool
- Travels to GU events as needed to provide social media coverage, including out of town events as well as weekend and evening activities
- Responds to inquiries and monitor alumni sentiment on social media
Essential Function Category Title
Alumni Campaigns and Communications
% of time for section
40
Function Details
- Develops the strategy and produces all content related to alumni engagement campaigns, annual reports and any other major communication out of the alumni relations department
- Writing responsibilities for presidential, vice presidential and executive director items: letters, speeches, presentations, acknowledgements and other university updates
- Produces unique content for the alumni relations team for stewardship of top volunteers, including letters, biographies, award submissions, and honorary degree statements
Essential Function Category Title
Annual Giving and Special Project Communications
% of time for section
20
Function Details
- Write and produce communications materials for annual giving appeals and efforts (articles, web, newsletters, news releases, brochures, appeals, correspondence, etc.)
- Establishes and maintain a network of contacts across academic and administrative departments as a way to stay current regarding priority projects and programs.
- Act as liaison between Alumni/Annual Giving and MarCom social media staff and advocate for content strategy, channel placement and timing.
- Report directly to annual giving team one day per work week.
Other Functions
Other Functions
- Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of designated campus areas (business, education, law, arts and sciences, student life, entrepreneurship, access to higher education, Catholic, Jesuit education, leadership) to be used in development marketing materials and to prepare alumni officers for meetings and events
- Attends University Advancement events as needed in support of the division’s overall mission.
- Performs related duties as assigned by Director of Alumni Operations and Executive Director of Alumni Relations in support of Gonzaga University’s mission.
- Participate in Office of Advancement staff meetings, trainings, and other collaborative opportunities.
- Assist on an as-needed basis generating content related to University Advancement initiatives and Alumni Relations
- Incumbent may represent the department on University-wide committees or projects as assigned and approved by the supervisor.
University Competencies
University Work Values
Promoting Excellence in Academic Endeavors and Professional Practice
• Fostering intellectual depth, competence, reflection, and creativity in pursuing exemplary, rather than satisfactory, outcomes
Sharing Responsibility for Mission Identity and Leadership
• Making a personal commitment to learn about Gonzaga’s mission, discovering ways to contribute individually and collaboratively to our distinctive learning and research community
Affirming a Commitment to Human Dignity
• Engaging one another with profound respect, professionalism, and cura personalis while supporting one another’s continued learning, development, and maximizing of potential
Advancing a Culture of Inclusiveness
• Developing cultural fluencies and global awarenesses, and practicing habits that enable us to value, recruit, and support community members from historically underrepresented backgrounds
Caring for Our Common Home and Integral Ecology
• Growing ecological awareness of and respect for the interconnectedness of human and non-human life, and the need to develop and practice habits that are mutually beneficial to all life
Cultivating Individual and Community Accountability
• Demonstrating mutual commitment to our shared project by holding ourselves and others responsible for actions, expecting appropriate behavior, and aligning activities with ethical and professional standards
Qualifications/Knowledge Required/Years Experience Required
Degree Required
Bachelor’s Degree
Certifications and/or Licensures required
None
Knowledge Required
Specialist Knowledge in field
Years Experience Required
5-7.99 years
Minimum Qualifications
- Five (5) -7.99 years of experience; may be substituted on a year to year basis for education requirement
- 5+ years experience in integrated marketing and communication, branding and/or communications with proven track record of success
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills necessary to persuade and influence decision making of individuals, groups or work teams and to explain (technical, financial, etc.) issues
- Strong communication skills in order to clearly explain options and solutions to end users and individuals from diverse backgrounds; Ability to communicate effectively and courteously with internal and external constituents; Strong written communication skills demonstrating the ability to prepare outlines, reports, letters and any other supplemental materials in a clear and concise manner
- Microsoft Word skills to include the ability to create reports, containing graphs and other intermediate functions (e.g. perform mail merge, insert table of contents); Microsoft Excel skills to include the ability to create spreadsheets (e.g., formulas, filters, graphs)
- Strong organizational skills.
- Experience working both independently and as part of a team
- Maintain composure in fast paced work environment; Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities with frequent interruptions; Demonstrated ability to operate with a high level of confidentiality and discretion;
- Demonstrated ability to accurately input data into various systems
Desired Qualifications
- Experience in higher education alumni relations, fundraising or marketing
- Experience with SCT Banner and Anthology
Physical / Environmental Qualifications
- Remain in a stationary position for up to 70% of the time
- Ability to prep for and attend meetings and events across campus in various weather conditions
- Wrist and hand movement related to computer work
- Bend, stoop, kneel, stretch and reach
- Pick-up, carry and move items up to 25 lbs.
Posting Detail Information
Open Date
04/28/2023
Close Date
05/19/2023
Open Until Filled
No
Application Review Begins On
03/03/2023
Special Instructions to Applicants
EEO Statement
Gonzaga University is a Jesuit, Catholic, humanistic institution, and is therefore interested in candidates who will contribute to its distinctive mission. Gonzaga University is a committed EEO/AA employer and diversity candidates are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their disability status and/or protected veteran status. Applicants with disabilities needing reasonable accommodations to complete the application or hiring process should contact Human Resources (509) 313-5996.
Clery Statement
Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics
The safety of all members of the campus community is of vital concern to Gonzaga University. Information regarding crime prevention advice, the law enforcement authority of Campus Security, policies concerning the reporting of any crimes which occurred on the campus (and other specified locations), other security and safety-related policies, as well as the crime statistics for the most recent 3-year period may be found in the Campus Safety and Security Guide and Annual Fire Safety Report. The Gonzaga-In-Florence Safety & Security Guide is also available.
A copy of the report can be found online at www.Gonzaga.edu/Clery. A paper copy of the Campus Safety & Security Guide and Annual Fire Safety Report or the Gonzaga-In-Florence Safety & Security Guide may be obtained by contacting the Student Development Office on main campus, College Hall 120. The Florence Guide may also be obtained on the Florence campus in room 105.