Associate Director of Advancement, Marketing

The University of Virginia Darden School Foundation seeks a highly motivated professional to join its Advancement team. The Associate Director of Advancement, Marketing works on a wide variety of projects simultaneously under tight deadlines with members of the Advancement and Engagement office. This individual is responsible for writing, editing, designing, building, and sending a large volume of emails on behalf of Advancement and Engagement through Salesforce Marketing Cloud, while assuring high quality content, tracking communication metrics and advising on email marketing strategy. This person will report to the Senior Director of Donor Relations and work to ensure a timely delivery of stewardship and communication projects across the Advancement team.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities include:

Strategic Communications

• Develop, test and deploy email campaigns in Salesforce Marketing Cloud using Email Studio and Journey Builder, AMPscript and data extensions to create dynamic personalized content. Use Automation Studio to maintain SQL queries and automation rules and ensure compliance with CAN-SPAM, GDPR, and internal privacy standards.
• Design/update templates for on-brand marketing assets using Canva including email banners, digital graphics, event collateral, and promotional materials.
• Create decks in Powerpoint for both internal and external audiences.
• Oversee the preparation and distribution of pledge reminders.
• Coordinate and manage the creation of honor rolls or other donor recognition materials ensuring accuracy.
• Ensure that donor communications adhere to organizational tone, brand standards, and best practices for gratitude and stewardship.
• Design and manage the development and distribution of event invitations and collateral for donor and alumni events.
• Collaborate with the events team to ensure consistent messaging and seamless process for event RSVPs, invitations, and follow-up communications.
• Provide primary oversight for email marketing strategy of the Advancement and Engagement teams, while also coordinating with units throughout the Darden Enterprise to build a comprehensive and strategic email calendar.
• Partner with colleagues in Communications and Marketing to develop and implement holistic digital communications strategies that incorporate email campaigns with social media and the Darden website.
• Maintain knowledge of multi-channel communications campaigns to assess how digital communications can complement and increase overall impact.
• Help enforce the broadcast email policy; proactively collect content, data, and scheduling details from clients and stakeholders.
• Make recommendations on email-related tools and technologies adopted by the University to determine if and how they can best be leveraged. Stay updated on trends, industry best practices, technologies, and growth opportunities to ensure a best-in-class email-marketing program.
• Build and send polls through Salesforce Marketing Cloud and surveys through Qualtrics.

Project Management

Program Execution

• Design, build, edit and send template-based emails on behalf of Advancement and Engagement to alumni, parents and friends (class messages, solicitations, event invitations) in UVA/Darden's email marketing platform (Salesforce Marketing Cloud). Manage approval process with internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage the production of email campaigns including data extensions, segmentation strategies, exclusion/inclusion lists, sender profiles, and other aspects of email execution. This includes one-time, recurring, triggered, and dynamic content campaigns.
• Using Canva, design on-brand assets; edit and adapt assets for multiple formats and platforms, manage and organize Canva projects and folders for streamlined access and version control, stay updated on Canva features to streamline design workflows and maintain design quality.
• Become an active brand advocate by adhering to Darden Editorial and Visual Style Guides.
• Support and adhere to the quality testing process for broadcast emails; and assure that all broadcast emails are free of error and maintain brand standards by providing copy edits and adhere to current SPAM filter and deliverability standards, unsubscribe requirements, privacy policies, etc.
• Must be able to manage a variety of projects independently, with minimal supervision. Conducts research and independently incorporates changes, comments and critiques from multiple reviewers using exceptional writing and editing skills; exercises sound judgment regarding strategy, appropriate points of emphasis, and persuasive impact.
• Maintains a clear understanding of all advancement and fundraising goals, strategies, and messages, as well as stays up to date on Darden developments and accolades. Articulates this information appropriately and effectively.

Data Management and Analysis

• Work with Advancement Operations to request, update and manage distributions lists in email platform.
• Continuously optimize email and segmentation strategies to increase engagement through testing of content and layout, timing, frequency, segmentation, etc., and troubleshoot technical problems with customer support.
• Track and analyze email marketing metrics and performance to determine the effectiveness of campaigns and make data-driven recommendations for improvements.
• Provide insights into open rates, click-through rates, engagement levels, and other key performance indicators (KPIs) to inform future communications strategies.

Successful candidates will have a proven track record that includes:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, or business discipline or related field
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Graphic Design, Email Development, Non-profit, Advancement/Fundraising, Alumni Relations or Administrative Support
• Two or more years in an email marketing role using Salesforce Marketing Cloud.
• Knowledge of Canva with an eye for design and details.
• Strong knowledge of writing and digital communications, including email best practices.
• Hands-on experience with HTML and CSS in an email environment.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to analyze campaign performance.
• A passion for optimizing communications strategies and using email to achieve company goals.
• Familiarity with ThankView or similar video messaging platforms.
• Experience with marketing automation processes including lead and campaign management.
• Strong project management, and organizational and communication skills with colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Skill in exercising a high degree of initiative, collaborative spirit, judgment, discretion, and decision-making to achieve organizational objectives.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously and be mindful of deadlines and schedules.
• Able to work independently and effectively in a fast-paced environment and maintain a calm and professional demeanor.
• Extraordinary attention to detail and superior organization skills
• A positive, upbeat, and can-do professional, with a customer-service mindset, and ability to work in a cross-functional team environment.
• Able to handle sensitive information appropriately and maintain confidentiality.

Please attach a cover letter and resume when applying for this position.

The Darden School Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

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