Summit Academy OIC | Minneapolis, MN
Salary Range: $62,000 - $72,000
SUMMARY
This Donor Communications Specialist is responsible for developing, coordinating and implementing the organization's fundraising-related communications. This position leads development-specific communication strategy with the goal of planning and creating communications that deliver clear, inspiring, and compelling messages about the opportunities for and impact of philanthropic support at Summit Academy OIC.
The ideal candidate is an excellent communicator, researcher, and problem-solver with the versatility and judgment to draft clear and consistent messages for a variety of audiences. The ideal candidate also has strong project management skills and is a leader when it comes to being collaborative. As a bridge between the Development and Marketing & Communications (Marcomm) departments, the Donor Communications Specialist will work closely with Marcomm to strategize, share ideas, and source and share storytelling opportunities.
This position reports to the Director of Annual Giving.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Donor Communications
- Drive messaging, content and execution of assigned development communications projects including direct mail campaigns, annual reports, newsletters, impact reports, acknowledgment letters, social media content, website content, and video content.
- Collect, source and share programmatic stories, highlighting meaningful impact of programs work.
- Collaborate with fundraising team to develop donor communications strategies and collateral that support each stage of engagement (discovery, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship)
- Write and curate content specific to target segments/audiences and specific to various digital and print communications channel(s).
- Act as liaison for institutional funders and sponsors on recognition and stewardship deliverables.
- Collaborate with Development staff in the segmentation of database to create targeted lists for use in annual giving mailings and digital campaigns.
- Collaborate with Development and Marcomm colleagues to plan and implement event communications, including but not limited to promotional collateral, invitations, scripts, slide decks, videos, presentations, and webpages.
- Maintain a deep understanding of Summit strategies, programs, and funding goals to inform objectives and tactics related to communications strategy.
- Review and maintain public-facing language about Summit related to fundraising and
donor/funder partnerships, including talking points, online charity profiles, donor/funder websites, and other related channels.
Digital Donor Strategy
- Lead digital fundraising strategies, setting the communications strategy for digital fundraising initiatives, including Give to the Max, Giving Tuesday, peer-to-peer fundraising, and year-round fundraising opportunities.
- Lead digital donor acquisition strategies to implement donor lead generation and digital acquisition campaigns through thoughtful and engaging communications.
- Manage content for donation pages, fundraising-related social media, donor newsletter, appeals, and all online giving interfaces, ensuring an exceptional online donor experience.
Brand Messaging
- Maintains a deep understanding of Summit strategies, programs, and funding goals to inform objectives and tactics.
- Review and maintain public-facing language about Summit related to fundraising and donor/funder partnerships, including talking points, online charity profiles, donor/funder websites, and other related channels.
Project Management
- Develop and maintain donor communications calendar, project plans and deadlines, ensuring alignment with the organization's primary c01mnunications calendar.
- Ensure timely production and delivery of communications projects; manage project timelines, lead kick-off meetings, maintenance and/or negotiation of deadlines, monitor progress, troubleshoot. Collaborate with Marcomm team as needed for creative project deliverables.
- Utilize data analytics and tools to assess the performance of donor communications initiatives, providing insights for strategic direction.
- Stay up to date on industry best practices and emerging trends to keep fundraising communications relevant.
Other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
The Donor Communications Specialist has outstanding written communication skills, including proofreading and editing, as well as excellent project management capabilities. The ideal candidate has experience developing and activating multi-channel communications or fundraising campaigns and has experience optimizing digital strategies across communications platforms. This is a highly collaborative role interfacing with Development, Marcomm, and Programs (including programmatic constituents). The ideal candidate should be able to demonstrate experience in understanding donor motivations to drive personalized acquisition, cultivation, and stewardship communications and a full understanding of Summit's strategies, programs, and funding goals to inform objectives and tactics.
The ideal candidate will have:
- Demonstrated experience writing, editing, and communicating on behalf of an organization, preference to candidates with nonprofit communications experience.
- Proven experience in marketing and communications roles, with a focus on fundraising and philanthropy, including experience, writing, editing, developing communications strategies and familiarity with donor segmentation.
- Experience with developing and activating communication campaigns including but not limited to: donor appeals, newsletters, email communications, scripts, websites, social media, and more.
- Demonstrated storytelling experience telling with an emphasis on cultural competency, dignity and respect.
- The ability to community build with people who have a wide range of lived experiences
- Proficiency in analyzing and interpreting data and metrics.
- Proficiency using e-mail marketing platforms, HubSpot preferred.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Experience developing content and analyzing results on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram
- Experience using office products Microsoft Office, Slack, Teams
- Experience using project management software, Wrike preferred
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
None
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This job operates in a professional school and office environment. This constantly uses standard office equipment such as: computers (with keyboard and mouse), phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity to dial a telephone, to enter data into a computer; to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids; hear and understand speech at normal classroom levels and on the telephone; speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in normal classrooms and on the telephone; physical agility to lift up to 25 pounds to waist height; and to bend, stoop, walk and reach overhead.
POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK
This is a full-time, exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It is not eligible for overtime. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Occasional nights and weekends may be required to meet the expectations of the position. Hybrid option after 90 business days of employment (up to two days a week remote).
TRAVEL
Limited local travel is occasionally required.
REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications or 4 years of marketing, communications experience with an emphasis on philanthropy/fundraising or a combination of education and expenence.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (including Outlook, Excel, Word)
- Experience with project management software, Wrike preferred
- Commitment to driving economic equity in the Twin Cities region and beyond
PREFERRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- Digital marketing strategy development and execution including social media management and email marketing
- Communications experience in higher education settings. Experience with Career Technical Education settings is a plus.
OTHER DUTIES
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
AAP/EEO
It is the policy of Summit Academy OIC to provide equal employment opportunity (EE) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Summit Academy OIC will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
BENEFITS
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- 10 Annual Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Match (Immediate Eligibility)
- Health & Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Short & Long Term Disability and Life & AD&D Insurance
- Annual Bonus Eligibility
APPLY ONLINE AT:
https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=eb07e0a8-f78b-46b6-96a8-eb27c76ff7a1&ccId=19000101_000001&lang=en_US&selectedMenuKey=CareerCenter&jobId=581351