Description

Join Smith College’s Alumnae Relations and Development team as the Associate Director of Communications—a key strategist behind the college’s digital storytelling and donor engagement. In this role, you’ll lead the design and execution of innovative email marketing campaigns, manage a dynamic communications calendar, and analyze campaign performance to drive results. Overseeing a talented team of coordinators, you’ll blend creativity with data-driven insights to strengthen alum and donor connections all while ensuring Smith’s message reflects its values of inclusion, integrity, and excellence.

Job Summary: 

Working within the Alumnae Relations and Development department, the Associate Director of Communications develops and implements digital strategies that engage alums and donors. Under the supervision of the Director of Communications, this role strategizes and defines the intersection of overall marketing strategies and existing digital platforms. This role oversees two Communications Coordinators responsible for the bulk of the department’s digital and print communications production, ensuring effective calendaring, project management, fundraising campaigns, Pardot journeys, segmentation, accessibility, and more. The Associate Director will provide analysis on the effectiveness of various campaigns and tools and make suggestions for strategy changes. To be successful, the Associate Director must be comfortable working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment with strong attention to detail and experience with digital marketing campaigns, social media, and data analysis.

Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Essential Functions:

Communications Strategy & Analytics: 55%

Maintain an understanding of digital marketing best practices and knowledge of emerging trends in digital marketing, especially when it comes to email marketing, cross-channel strategies, segmentation strategies, and accessibility. 
Develop a deep understanding of the Smith College toolkit and its capabilities in order to advise and direct the most effective use of college resources. 
Support the team in producing digital marketing efforts aimed at increasing alums’ awareness, affinity, and engagement across the digital landscape (email, social, web). 
Analyze and report ROI data related to result tracking, segment composition, and population performance.
Maintain a master calendar for all email communications, manage email requests, and schedule emails for colleagues in Alumnae Relations and Development.
 

Production Management: 40%

Oversee two Communications Coordinators who execute the production of most email and print departmental marketing outreach, ensuring quality control and strategy goals. 
Master the data and systems in use to provide proper oversight of direct reports and to backfill as necessary. Train the team on the most effective use of data and technology to execute on desired deliverables. 
Look for process efficiencies and ways to better integrate requested email sends into departmental strategy. 
Oversee project management and calendar of activities, ensuring they fit properly within the larger communications strategy. 
Use Smith’s style guide and visual identity toolkit to copyedit content and ensure that messages meet brand standards as well as Smith’s equity and inclusion goals. 
Develop quality control (QC) procedures to ensure accuracy of messaging and data for all emails; add to and revise QC documents on an ongoing basis.
 

Other Duties: 5%

Participate in team meetings, task forces, and committees as required. Back up other staff needs as necessary. Perform related duties as required.
All employees are expected to participate in the college’s efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.
 

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in a related field and 5+ years of experience in communications, marketing, and digital engagement. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
 

Preferred Qualifications

Significant experience in higher education philanthropy or a closely related service organization.
Supervisory experience.