Job Title: Associate Director of Advancement Communications
Posting Number: 20110603
Pay Rate: Salaried - commensurate with experience
Position Type: Administration
Key Responsibilities : The Associate Director of Advancement Communications will collaborate with internal teams and external creative partners to develop engaging on- and off-line communications that support Juniata College’s strategic participation, fundraising, and visibility goals. The role will work closely with the Institutional Advancement team to recognize high-impact donor and volunteer support, strengthen alumni and parent engagement, and maximize the philanthropic potential of Juniata’s communities in alignment with the College’s mission.
Develop and implement annual strategic communication plans for Institutional Advancement in partnership with Juniata’s Marketing and Communications Office.
Lead content creation and outreach efforts to promote the College’s philanthropic initiatives, including campaign branding, case statements, storytelling (written and visual), print and digital content, surveys, annual giving solicitations, and event communications.
Create compelling creative briefs for each campaign and project.
Educate and support the Advancement team and frontline fundraisers on effective communication strategies, providing tools and resources for engaging donors and volunteers.
Collaborate with the Campaign Team to develop stewardship communication plans, including major gift acknowledgments, annual reports, and recognition publications.
Play an active role in the Campaign Events Team to design and execute meaningful donor and volunteer engagement experiences, including messaging strategy and pre- and post-event outreach.
Support senior leadership, including the President, in strategic communications that enhance alumni and parent engagement and promote the College’s vision. Provide guidance on integrating the President’s voice into marketing and outreach efforts.
Work collaboratively with the College’s Enrollment and Marketing departments to align messaging and strategies that further the College’s overall mission and strategic priorities.
Coordinate with in-house content developers—such as designers, web specialists, photographers, and writers—and external vendors as necessary to produce high-quality content.
Offer strategic support and guidance on marketing and communication initiatives across all Advancement departments, including Major and Principal Giving, Planned Giving, The Juniata Fund, and Alumni & Parent Engagement.
Partner with the Juniata Fund and Advancement Communications team to craft marketing strategies and content for the annual Day of Giving, “Juniata Day,” and other special fundraising campaigns.
Serve as a liaison between Institutional Advancement and the College’s Marketing and Communications Office to ensure aligned messaging and branding.
Juniata College is committed to cultivating an equity-minded and equity-engaged campus culture, one that is inclusive and supportive of its students, faculty, and staff. We believe that all members of the College community share the responsibility to value diversity, seek equity, promote a sense of belonging. We seek candidates who are sensitive to the needs of an academic community that is diverse with regard to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation or identity, disability status, and protected veteran status ..…EOE
Position Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or a related field.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in marketing and communications, with a preference for experience in higher education fundraising or philanthropy.
• Proven experience working with senior administrators, trustees, faculty, volunteers, and campaign committees.
• Demonstrated ability to develop comprehensive multi-year and annual communication plans aligned with fundraising goals.
• Successful track record in creating online and offline campaign and stewardship communications.
• Strong strategic planning skills, with experience tracking and reporting on progress toward communication and fundraising objectives.
• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills, including the ability to craft compelling copy and presentations.
• Proficiency with digital and social media platforms, understanding their use in engagement, stewardship, and marketing.
• Ability to motivate and lead creative teams, external vendors, and colleagues to produce targeted, impactful communications.
• Self-motivated, entrepreneurial, and proactive, with a proven ability to manage multiple projects independently.
• Diplomatic, adaptable, creative, and persuasive, with an understanding of higher education organizational dynamics.
Supervision Required/Given: • Reports directly to the Associate Vice President for Advancement
• Works collaboratively with senior leadership, advancement managers, development officers and other advancement team members
• Interacts with trustees, donors, alumni, and various internal departments
Special Instructions to Applicants: Join a mission-driven team transforming philanthropy at Juniata College. We’re seeking a strategic and creative communicator to lead storytelling and engagement efforts that drive fundraising success and deepen alumni and donor relationships. As Associate Director of Advancement Communications, you’ll play a key role in shaping how Juniata communicates its impact—across campaigns, events, and everyday moments of generosity.
Compensation will be competitive and aligned with the candidate’s experience and expertise.
Juniata’s Full-Time Benefits package prioritizes the well-being and work-life balance of employees: Medical; vision; dental; retirement (403b); paid vacation, sick leave, holiday time; tuition benefit (employee, spouse and dependents); wellness programming; and additional insurance programs.
Open Date: 06/10/2025
Open Until Filled: Yes