Executive Director, Advancement Communications and Donor Relations | Bentley University
Location
Waltham, MA | United States
Job description
Executive Director, Advancement Communications and Donor Relations
Bentley University
Job Description Summary Bentley University has retained Boyden to lead the search efforts for this position. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to Lisa Vuona directly at
[email protected] and reference "Bentley University" in the subject line.
The Executive Director for Advancement Communications and Donor Relations will develop and lead a comprehensive advancement communications and donor relations strategy as a member of the University Advancement leadership team. This role will be a key architect of Bentley University's strategy to communicate the central role philanthropy plays in advancing Bentley's mission.
The Executive Director will be a strong collaborator with members of the university's Marketing and Communications senior leadership team, leveraging the power and resources of the full Marketing and Communications division to achieve University Advancement objectives. The incumbent will ensure that the ongoing communications strategy for University Advancement complements that of the university and that all branding and identity guidelines, design specifications, tone and voice standards set by Marketing and Communications are consistently followed.
The Executive Director oversees the Stewardship and Donor Relations team and is the chief strategist for Advancement Communications and will direct the work of a team of dedicated Advancement Communications professionals nested within the university's Marketing and Communications function .
The Advancement Communications and Donor Relations function is charged with communicating the impact of philanthropic support from case and proposal development through reporting to existing donors. The Executive Director is a consummate story-teller who can creatively and compellingly communicate complex messages across mediums from print and digital to in-person events.
The incumbent will be a positive leader who is able to work collaboratively across the organization with a commitment to excellence and accountability. This role is best suited to someone who is agile, adaptable, solution-oriented, and committed to innovation and continuous improvement. The incumbent should be excited to shape a team committed to becoming a peerless advancement organization and will be a keeper of a strong, positive culture committed to personal and professional growth in a fun, collegial, and flexible work environment.
This role reports to the Vice President for University Advancement and will collaborate closely with the university's Vice President for Marketing and Communications to ensure consistency in the communication of the university's overall brand and message to alumni and donors.
Essential Duties
- Develop and lead a comprehensive communications strategy to support philanthropic goals and alumni and donor relations at Bentley.
- Work with a dedicated cadre of Advancement Communications professionals, as well as the full suite of services available in Bentley's Marketing and Communications team to effectively execute strategic priorities and annual work plans.
- Develop and lead a comprehensive Stewardship and Donors Relations strategy for University Advancement.
- Manage and lead a team of Stewardship and Donor Relations professionals.
- Oversees the execution of a suite of donor relations activities, provides thought leadership to the development of recognition societies, works with Vice President and AVP for Development on the development and execution of high-level principal giving stewardship and donor relations plans.
- In collaboration with the Vice President for University Advancement, and leveraging the skills of the Advancement Communications team, work closely with the President, Provost, Deans, faculty, and other university leaders to translate institutional priorities into fundraising priorities, including the development of concept papers, case statements, gift opportunities, proposals, talking points, and collateral materials.
- Define the annual work plan and budget for the Advancement Communications and Stewardship and Donor Relations functions in consultation with Vice President of University Advancement and the Director of Advancement Communications and other stakeholders.
- Leads philanthropy-related communication strategies that feature the president, provost, vice presidents and deans. Oversee the development of talking points for key events.
- Actively seek out and appropriately apply trends and best practices at peer and aspirant institutions.
- Embrace and model Bentley's positive culture principles, where all community members are empowered, engaged, and thriving in their work and studies. As a member of the University Advancement Leadership team, embraces institutional values and takes seriously the role of leadership in modeling our values.
- Manage staffing, workflow, performance, and team development. Establish annual work plans, priorities, standards, and ensures each team member is progressing against these measures. Provides coaching and support to help team members develop and grow while being comfortable providing difficult feedback with clarity, empathy, and directness when necessary. Establish operating policies, procedures, departmental and individual goals and metrics including a review of existing and potential technology tools.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree
- 7+ years of leadership-level experience in marketing or communications
- Experience in leading a fundraising and engagement communications, marketing, and creative services team in developing effective communications plans.
- Strong management/coaching skills are required. Experience building, leading, motivating, assessing, and holding accountable high-performing, well-integrated professional teams preferably in a higher education environment.
- Ability to inspire others, foster cross-divisional collaboration and manage by influence across a diverse organization.
- Expertise in core communications principles, strategies, and best practices.
- Knowledge and deep understanding of philanthropic communications efforts and best practices.
- Must be deadline oriented and able to manage multiple projects on tight timelines in a fast-paced work environment.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, oral and written are required. Strong diplomatic skills are required as well as the ability to work with senior executives and donors.
- Ability and experience to think strategically - both long and short term. Strong project management, problem solving, organizational and detail-oriented skills.
- Proven track record of developing and executing programs and managing budgets.
- Excellent judgment and the ability to treat confidential information with discretion
Work Environment
- Ability to travel within and outside of campus for work related events and meetings; travel may occur outside of normal business hours including evenings and weekends
- Typical office setting with extensive sitting and computer work
Bentley University requires references checks and may conduct other pre-employment screening.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT Bentley University strives to create a campus community that welcomes the exchange of ideas, and fosters a culture that values differences and views them as a strength in our community.
Bentley University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, building strength through diversity. The University is committed to building a community of talented students, faculty and staff who reflect the diversity of global business. We strongly encourage applications from persons from underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, covered veterans and those with diverse experiences and backgrounds.
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About Bentley University
Bentley University is one of the nation's leading business schools, dedicated to preparing a new kind of business leader and one with the deep technical skills, the broad global perspective and the high ethical standards required to make a difference in an ever-changing world. To achieve our goal, we infuse our advanced business curriculum with the richness of a liberal arts education. The results are graduates who are making an impact in their chosen fields and turning their passions into success stories. Located on a classic New England campus just minutes from Boston, Bentley is a dynamic community of leaders, scholars and creative thinkers.
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