Department: University Advancement
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing
Salary: $60,000 - $70,000 per year
Compensation Band: OS-OA07-Fiscal Year 2024-2025
FTE: 1.0

Application Review Begins

October 28, 2024; Position open until filled (updated)

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit the following with your online application:
A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and requirements outlined in the job announcement.
A resume of your educational and professional work experience.

Department Summary

University Advancement (UA) supports the University of Oregon’s (UO) mission of providing exceptional teaching, discovery, and service by strategically positioning the university to create awareness, build long-term relationships, and secure resources that increase understanding and further its aims. The division consists of approximately 200 employees primarily working out of Eugene, with offices in Portland and Bend. We are committed to fostering equity and inclusion in a welcoming, safe, and respectful environment that recognizes the value of all members of our community.

Development Communications, a part of Advancement Communications, supports central and frontline fundraisers through communications planning, content creation, and marketing efforts designed to engage donors and inspire giving.

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Advancement Communications (assistant director) has significant responsibility for planning and implementing strategic communications to promote giving to the University of Oregon (UO) and strengthen relationships with donors and other key constituents.

This position is responsible for a range of communications activities, which include creating communications and marketing plans, writing, editing, and overseeing the production of publications, reports, and other donor-facing content, in compliance with brand standards as set by University Communications.

This position will work closely with Development clients, providing strategic planning, writing and editing, project management, and outcomes reporting.

Reporting to the Director of Development Communications, this position supports both the UO, and UA’s strategic initiatives around donor engagement, fundraising, and the current initiatives and campaigns.

This position will be located in Eugene or Portland. It is eligible to work a hybrid schedule, and will need to work on campus approximately three days per week

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, marketing, or related field.
• Three years of experience in marketing communications planning and execution, including writing and editing for print and digital publications, and managing design, distribution, and production.

Professional Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to define marketing and communications strategies, goals, and objectives, identify target audiences, and develop and implement strategic communications plans to accomplish goals.
• Customer relations or account representative mindset, with the ability to listen to a client or colleague’s needs and concerns and translate those into communications solutions.
• Demonstrated fluency with a donor-centered approach to writing and producing fundraising appeals.
• Demonstrated knowledge of creative copywriting and copy editing for appropriate style, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and length.
• Organizational and interpersonal skills to manage multiple priorities and shifting deadlines.
• Ability to interact, communicate, and work effectively with individuals, recognizing and respecting the many and varied identities of each person.
• Commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion; build community across alumni, donors, volunteers, and coworkers.
• Demonstrated supervisory skills.
• Experience in reporting on outcomes incorporating analytics, analysis, and recommendations.
• Ability to produce work in web-based Customer Relations Management (CRM) software, standard office software, and other electronic communications media.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five years of experience managing marketing, communications, or higher education communications, specifically with fundraising campaigns.
• Two years of experience in an editorial and production lead role overseeing the creation of gift announcements, publications, and other branded collateral.
• Mastery of best practices for fundraising or constituent engagement marketing and communications.
• Feature writing experience connection or familiarity with the University of Oregon and development fundraising techniques.

FLSA Exempt: Yes

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit https://hr.uoregon.edu/about-benefits.

The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship, service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed here.

In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://clery.uoregon.edu/annual-campus-security-and-fire-safety-report.