Associate Director, Donor Communications Strategy and Recognition

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the "Trojan Family," which is comprised of the faculty, students, and staff that make the university what it is.

USC values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity in employment. USC University Advancement is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture in which all advancement staff and our stakeholders have the opportunity to connect, belong, and grow while supporting USC’s mission, values, and goals.

USC's University Advancement – Office of Stewardship and Donor Relations is seeking an Associate Director, Donor Communications Strategy and Recognition to join its team. Reporting to the Senior Executive Director, the Associate Director will provide creative direction and oversight for existing and new donor stewardship communications that demonstrate appreciation and impact and will help support increased giving to the university. The ideal candidate will have experience in donor relations and stewardship, preferably in a large organization; possesses good communication and interpersonal skills, understanding of software used to produce and deliver communications; and excellent project management skills.

Responsibilities:

• Help conceive and provide direction on various stewardship and donor relations communications, including impact pieces for donor stewardship reports (narrative, student profiles/thank you letters/videos, etc.), as well as standalone communications for various donor populations.
  

• Recommend best delivery type (digital or print) and timing, in order to a create a regular, annual suite of stewardship/impact communications, both personalized and broad-based, that complement fundraising efforts and aid in maintaining and improving donor satisfaction and engagement.
  

• Develop and manage an annual calendar of central stewardship and donor relations communications, to ensure consistency and timeliness of delivery is maintained.
  

• Partner with internal colleagues in Central Advancement Communications to strategize and guide the creation of stewardship communications and to also ensure style and branding for all stewardship and donor relations communications is appropriate and consistent within department and university standards.
  

• Identify and work with internal schools and departments to research, obtain material and organize content for stewardship communications.
  

• Collaborate and strategize with the central stewardship and donor relations team on content and format development, editorial and proofreading assistance, production of reports and acknowledgments, etc.
  

• Develop reports and metrics to track effectiveness of stewardship communications.
  

• Additionally, this position will supervise an assistant director of donor recognition, who will manage Central Advancement recognition programs, including the Widney Society, consecutive givers recognition, physical naming recognition projects, etc. The associate director will provide oversight and guidance on these programs.

Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, project management skills, ideally has worked in stewardship and donor relations at another university, be creative and flexible in identifying the tools and resources needed to develop and deliver appropriate donor communications, has solid understanding and experience utilizing various software to design and produce stewardship/donor communications, including ThankView, Salesforce Conga/Marketing Cloud or similar applications that can be easily learned and utilized for stewardship communications.

Ability to identify strategic and creative solutions for thanking, recognizing and engaging donors through meaningful impact communications to advance fundraising efforts and deepen relationships is essential.

Excellent customer service and relationship building skills.

Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external constituencies.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

The University reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Documentation and Additional Information:

To apply, submit a resume and cover letter (may be uploaded as one file). Writing/Creative samples are encouraged. Please do not submit your application without these documents.

USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff and their family with access to the renowned university medical network; retirement plans with employer contributions once you meet Program's eligibility period; tuition benefits for staff and their family; free professional development classes; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses, and free tram pick up services; discounts to football, basketball, and other campus events.

The University of Southern California values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity in employment.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 3 years, Combined education/experience as substitute for minimum experience Minimum Field of Expertise: Fundraising, campaigns and/or volunteer management