Advancement Communications Manager

Department: Alumni and Annual Giving
This position is represented by the agreement between the Professional Staff Association and the University of Guelph

Temporary full-time from 04/07/2025 to 04/07/2028

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant.

Career Opportunities (sapsf.com)

General Purpose

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

At Alumni Affairs & Development, we advance the mission of the University of Guelph by building lifelong relationships with our community: alumni, donors, and friends. Our vision is for the University of Guelph to be personally relevant in the lives of our community members. Through these relationships, we amplify the impact of philanthropy to create unique solutions for the challenges facing our world. As a member of our campus-wide team, the Advancement Communications Manager epitomizes the department’s shared values of respect, empowerment, integrity, appreciation, and forward focus.

The Advancement Communications Manager is a key team member in the Annual Giving (AG) unit. The AG unit’s annual fundraising goal is approximately $5 million in support from key constituencies, including alumni, faculty, staff, retirees, parents, students, and friends to support University priorities. Annual Giving is responsible for more than 100 annual messages and communications each year, to an audience that comprises of 100,000 alumni and donors. The Advancement Communications Manager is responsible for developing a broad range of fundraising communications that inspire donor support, acquisition and retention, and further AG’s ability to support key University priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Associate Director, Annual Giving, the Advancement Communications Manager will plan, write, edit, and design appeals, acknowledgements, stewardship messages and associated content. Acting as project manager and internal liaison for the calendar of Annual Giving deliverables, the Advancement Communications Manager will be experienced in customizing messages for diverse audiences, adapting to various print and digital channels, and communicating the impact of philanthropy. The Advancement Communications Manager will have a broad communications skillset that includes writing, editing, technical software skills, and some design and print layout experience.

Requirements

This role requires a talented writer, editor and storyteller, with experience in the philanthropic sector, and a demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and projects.

The university recognizes that no one individual will have the following skills/experience in equal measure but the qualifications below will be used to assess the suitability of candidates throughout the process:

• Undergraduate degree. Preference given to communications, journalism, business, marketing.
• 3-6 years of relevant experience.
• Superior writing and editing ability is critical. The successful candidate will have demonstrated, through a portfolio of samples, professional-level writing ability with respect to strategy, style, organization and structure
• Expertise in crafting messages for diverse audiences.
• Excellent proofreading skills.
• Exemplary project management skills.
• High level of skill with InDesign, other Adobe and MS software, and the ability to work within branded templates.
• The ability to contribute to development of strategic and compelling campaign marketing collateral consistent with University and department brand standards.
• Experience with email marketing platforms such as Luminate Online and constituent management platforms such as Blackbaud CRM.
• Knowledge of fundraising principles, email marketing, annual giving best practices, and a commitment to continuous learning.
• Demonstrated ability for creative problem-solving and innovative thinking.
• The ability to think and act quickly under pressure, exercising tact, diplomacy, discretion and good judgement.
• The ability to be data savvy and to extract meaningful insights, and make recommendations throughout the year.
• Experience working in a Drupal platform and publishing website content is considered an asset.
• The ability to build rapport and credibility with a range of internal and external partners through excellent interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated professionalism, integrity and cross-functional collaboration in all aspects of work

Please include a cover letter along with your resume in your application.

Why choose the University of Guelph

• Comprehensive Extended Health Care Benefits: Immediate enrollment in extended health to cover yourself and your family
• Time off: Strong vacation allocation, floater days, and paid time off during the December closure to ensure that you are at your best
• Wellness: In addition to extensive wellness programming, the University offers a yearly flexible spending credit that can be allocated to any of the following: Health Spending, Wellness or Professional Development
• Learning & Development: Learning and development curriculum and other professional growth opportunities
• On-campus Activities: Discounts on food and apparel, fitness programming, access to networking events and team building opportunities
• Improve Life: Work that directly impacts a brighter future by turning knowledge into action

The University provides a flexible work arrangement. This position is required to be fulfilled both remotely and on-campus (Guelph Campus).

Employee Type: Temporary
Position Number: 10920781
Classification: P&M FT- Band 04
Professional/Managerial Salary Bands

*Tentative evaluation; subject to committee review.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 03/05/2025
Closing Date: 03/26/2025