Director, Digital Marketing (Hybrid)

$70,000 - $85,000/Yr

University of Cincinnati - Cincinnati, OH

Full-time - Mid Level

Cincinnati, OH

Educational Services

About the position

At the University of Cincinnati Foundation, we commit ourselves to providing a place where everyone belongs. We care deeply about those in our community, while also taking care to nurture new relationships. We have the courage to dream big, drive excellence, and uphold integrity in our work. We amplify our collective impact by celebrating different perspectives and embracing inclusion. The Director of Digital Marketing is an exempt (salaried) position employed by the University of Cincinnati Foundation and reports to the Assistant Vice President of Annual Giving and Integrated Marketing. The primary area of focus for the Director is leading the development of an effective email marketing strategy and executing tactics related to creating, reviewing, approving, scheduling, and sending mass marketing emails in support of the priorities of the University of Cincinnati Foundation. The director will optimize email campaigns to create a cohesive brand experience, steward and activate donors, and increase digital engagement. Specific duties include providing strategic direction and hands-on support to UC Foundation colleagues in the development and execution of email marketing plans. The Director will ensure that email strategy and tactics align with University, Foundation, and Alumni Association priorities and comply with the UC Foundation Email Policy. Coordination with colleagues and stakeholders to create and maintain an annual email marketing calendar for mass communications is essential. The Director will collaborate with UC Foundation Strategic Communications staff to design responsive email templates, align messaging and calls to action, and create consistencies in email communications across the UC Foundation. Additionally, the Director will act as an effective project manager amongst a high-volume mass marketing team, ensuring accuracy, managing brand standards, and positively impacting donor stewardship and engagement. The role also involves partnering with the Technology, Information & Philanthropic Strategy (TIPS) team to ensure the accuracy of email distribution lists, making strategic contributions to audience development and personalization based on donor preferences, and analyzing and presenting historical summaries of email activity and results to inform current and future strategy. The Director will implement A/B testing, monitor delivery reports and analytics for email marketing efforts, and standardize and prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports. Staying current with marketing industry best practices and evaluating resources, marketing technologies, and AI are also key responsibilities. The Director will contribute to the collective success of the Alumni & Annual Giving team and the UC Foundation by supporting departmental priorities and participating in signature fundraising and engagement initiatives as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of an effective email marketing strategy.
• Execute tactics related to creating, reviewing, approving, scheduling, and sending mass marketing emails.
• Optimize email campaigns to create a cohesive brand experience.
• Steward and activate donors and increase digital engagement.
• Provide strategic direction and hands-on support to UC Foundation colleagues in email marketing plans.
• Ensure email strategy aligns with University, Foundation, and Alumni Association priorities.
• Coordinate with colleagues to maintain an annual email marketing calendar.
• Collaborate with Strategic Communications staff to design responsive email templates.
• Act as an effective project manager among a high-volume mass marketing team.
• Partner with the TIPS team to ensure accuracy of email distribution lists.
• Make strategic contributions to audience development and personalization.
• Analyze and present historical summaries of email activity and results.
• Implement A/B testing and monitor delivery reports and analytics.
• Standardize and prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
• Stay current with marketing industry best practices and evaluate marketing technologies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with 5-7 years of experience in higher education marketing, email marketing, donor relations, development, annual giving or stewardship, or an advanced degree with 3-5 years of experience.
• Ability to manage relationships with internal and external partners.
• Proven skills in organizational planning, interpersonal, written, and verbal communications.
• Proficient proofreading skills and knowledge of AP style guidelines.
• Strong understanding of HTML in email marketing and website management.
• Experience in digital and electronic communications including content management, design, PowerPoint, Excel, and Microsoft Office products.
• Exceptional organizational ability and commitment to timeliness.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines.
• Knowledge and experience using fundraising databases required.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with Blackbaud CRM preferred.
• Self-motivated and a team player.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and professionalism.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Performance-based bonus
• Tuition remission
• Paid vacation
• Sick time
• Calendar year-end closing