Advancement Communications Specialist

Loyola University New Orleans - New Orleans, LA

Full-time

New Orleans, LA

Educational Services

About the position

The Advancement Communications Specialist is a support member of the University Advancement staff, reporting to the Director of Stewardship and Advancement Communications. The Advancement Communications Specialist assists in the execution of a successful communications strategy that inspires and engages new Loyola volunteers and donors and strengthens the support of current Loyola friends. The coordinator is primarily responsible for the print and digital communications focused on alumni events, annual giving solicitations, and other activities of the Alumni Engagement office. The coordinator's work will reflect the goals and values of Loyola University and the service-oriented culture of the Office of University Advancement. Attention to detail, willingness to learn, enthusiastic attitude, efficiency, responsibility, professional decorum, knowledge of resources and office processes, and a solution-oriented attitude are critical to this position.

Responsibilities

• Assists the Director of Stewardship and Advancement Communications in executing a comprehensive strategic communication plan which includes websites, emails, social media, direct mail, etc. to strengthen the university's relationship with Loyola's alumni, donors, and volunteers.
• Works closely with the Assistant Director of Donor Relations and Advancement Communications to ensure that the office pursues a carefully coordinated communications effort for all Loyola friends, from leadership donors and trustees to young alumni and first-time annual giving donors.
• Executes and supports the advancement communications strategy that tells the Loyola story in a compelling way and invites new and existing donors to join the university's work via financial support and volunteer work.
• Writes, schedules, designs, and coordinates all event-related communications including, but not limited to, print and mailed invitations, save-the-dates, flyers, signage, and programs for all alumni-specific events. Manages redirects and QR codes.
• Assists (including proofreading) with written advancement communications material, including electronic, direct mail solicitations, and texting.
• Manages the Alumni Association Social Media accounts to include Facebook, Instagram, and other applicable channels.
• Creates, formats, tests, and distributes emails for targeted alumni messaging, targeted annual giving appeals, monthly Pack Press newsletter, alumni events, etc. Strategically manages the monthly email calendar for University Advancement.
• Acts as a liaison between the Offices of Alumni Engagement and Stewardship and Advancement Communications by attending regular team meetings to ensure event communications are executed efficiently and promptly.
• Creates, maintains, tests, and updates website pages relating to the Office of Alumni Engagement and University Advancement including but not limited to board and staff directories, award pages, and Office of Alumni Engagement landing and content pages.
• Works closely with Loyola's Office of Marketing and Communication to ensure that all appeals and alumni events are strategically promoted via the university's newsletters.
• Creates and manages surveys for alumni purposes i.e. post-alumni events and awards.
• Initiates and facilitates the ordering of promotional items for giveaways, appeals, events, etc. for the Communications and Stewardship team.
• Event staffing.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Minimum Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum of one year of experience in advancement, not-for-profit organizational work, communications, or related field.
• Advanced competence in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
• Ability to relate as a professional with staff, faculty, administrators, donors, potential donors, alumni, and friends of the university.
• Strong writing skills.
• Ability to organize and coordinate many details that occur simultaneously for various programs.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with software related to nonprofit management (Blackbaud or other donor database products).
• A thorough understanding and appreciation of Jesuit education as well as the programs offered and sponsored by Loyola University New Orleans as well as basic appreciation and understanding of university culture.