Assistant Director Of Communications, University Advancement

Pacific University achieves excellence and distinction by investing in exceptional people to think, care, create, and pursue justice in our world. We embrace discovery in a close nurturing environment that leads to genuine transformation. Our community is diverse, sustainable, and dedicated to discovery and excellence in teaching, scholarship and practice. 

At Pacific University we thrive in an extraordinary environment, surrounded by the beauty of the great Pacific Northwest, with campus locations in Forest Grove, Hillsboro, and  Eugene. We humbly acknowledge and thank the original caretakers of the lands on which we live, work, teach, acquire and share knowledge.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Assistant Director of Communications (Writer) is responsible for supporting the brand management, marketing and promotion of Pacific University as a high-quality undergraduate and graduate institution devoted to inspiring students to think, care, create, and pursue justice.

Primary responsibilities include copy writing and supporting communications aimed at alumni, donors, families and friends of the university, as well as students and employees, with a particular focus on email marketing. The Assistant Director creates and edit copy for emails, postcards, webpages, brochures and other publications focused on an alumni and donor audience, including Pacific magazine class notes, obituaries and briefs. They manage an email marketing calendar, build emails within a branded framework, track data on email effectiveness, and provide guidance on email strategy and best practices. They may use templates to design postcards, brochures and fliers, and they also may write feature profile stories for the web or print publications.

The Assistant Director of Communications is a member of Pacific's Marketing & Communications team and reports to the Director of digital engagement. They work closely will all members of MarCom, including individuals responsible for storytelling, media relations, videography, photography, graphic design, social media, and the website. They also act as a liaison and work closely with the university's fundraising and alumni engagement teams.

The ideal candidate for this position is a highly collaborative individual, as well as a quick and prolific writer who excels at distilling information, creating succinct and compelling content, and writing to targeted audiences.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Write and edit copy for emails, postcards, brochures, fliers, webpages and advertisements to promote alumni and donor engagement. This includes event promotions, fundraising appeals, and engagement opportunities, such as newsletters.
• Manage email marketing campaigns with a particular focus on alumni, donors, families and internal audiences. Process requests from the university community, write and edit content, build emails in a branded email marketing software (MailChimp), track data, and provide guidance on best practices.
• Create postcards, brochures, and fliers using established templates to promote advancement events and engagement.
• Write, review, edit, and publish announcements, news posts, and calendar events on the pacificu.edu website.
• Write, edit and organize submitted class notes, obituaries, briefs, and occasional feature stories for Pacific magazine print and digital publications.
• Conduct interviews, gather information, write and edit stories in journalistic and marketing styles.
• Approach storytelling and communication in a way that is honest, authentic, accessible, and supports equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility within the university community.
• Manage priorities, resources and projects to leverage assets.
• Monitor expenses and budget that are position specific.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS

• Effectively use project management software to track assignments and contribute to a multichannel, multiplatform editorial calendar.
• Provide backup support for web editors contributing content to the pacificu.edu website.
• Provide backup monitoring of social media newsfeeds on an as-needed basis.
• Create photos, videos, graphic design products as needed, depending on experience and expertise.
• Proactively offer new ideas, creativity and resources to meet the changing needs of the Pacific University audience(s).
• Work collaboratively to create and implement the Marketing & Communications strategic plan.
• Monitor and participate in relevant listservs, publications, and professional groups to maintain a strong knowledge of developments in the fields of marketing and communications, as well as higher education.
• Actively participate in the university community, following all policies and procedures, keeping current on university news and events, and assisting with signature events and initiatives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

JOB SCOPE

Performs duties with little direction given, operating from established directions and instructions. Decisions are made within general university policy constraints but require independent decision making. Collaborates effectively with colleagues throughout the university.

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY

This position may manage a student worker.

EDUCATION, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in English, journalism, marketing or the equivalent.
• Excellent writing skills; the ability to write concise, compelling, articulate, accurate prose for multiple audiences & media
• Strong knowledge of grammar and style conventions, especially Associated Press style
• A meticulous eye for detail and strong proofreading/editing skills
• Expert knowledge of Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required
• Expertise in using mass email marketing software (MailChimp preferred)
• Experience in creating basic design materials (postcards, fliers) with templates
• Experience with mass email software (MailChimp preferred) required
• Experience with graphic design software preferred
• Experience with a content management system preferred
• Experience with photography and other multimedia, social media, and digital storytelling preferred
• Experience in higher education helpful, but not required.
• A commitment to advancing diversity, and the ability to work well with diverse constituents, including students, alumni, staff, faculty, parents, volunteers, and friends.
• Ability to work in a team environment across multiple departments.
• Effectively communicates with colleagues, students, faculty, staff and the public.
• Ability to work independently
• Demonstrates critical thinking skills in problem solving and decision making
• Builds on basic learning and carries it from one situation to another
• Able to multitask and meet deadlines
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Provides leadership in his/her area of responsibility
• Ask questions and seeks assistance
• Demonstrates confidentiality regarding information pertaining to all constituents
• Positively represents Pacific University as a high-quality institution of higher education devoted to inspiring students to think, care, create, and pursue justice.

APPLICATIONS: Please upload your Resume and Cover Letter. In your cover letter, please include any links to available writing samples. 

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The Office of Marketing & Communications is based on Pacific's Forest Grove Campus.
• This position may be considered for hybrid work. Candidates must be available to work on the Forest Grove Campus multiple days a week.
• This position is primarily computer-based office work.
• This position may require some evening and weekend work on occasion.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:
__Climbing __Balancing __Stooping __Kneeling __Crouching __Crawling __Reaching __Standing __Walking __Pushing __Pulling __Lifting _X_Fingering __Grasping __Feeling _X_Talking _X_Hearing _X_Repetitive motion

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: _X_Sedentary work __Light work __Medium work __Heavy work __Very Heavy work _X_Visual acuity

At Pacific University we are dedicated to providing experiences that are authentic, holistic, equity minded, and responsive. We continue to develop our equity practices with a particular focus on racial equity.

For qualifying employees, our benefits include generous paid time off for vacation, holidays (including winter break) and sick leave. We offer medical coverage with alternative care (in-network services covered at 100% after payroll deduction), comprehensive dental, vision plans, 9% contribution to retirement after one year of service with no match required, free mental health appointments, and tuition remission for employees and their dependents. We cover employer paid life, short term disability, and long term disability insurance. On campus benefits include free access to our sports facility and library, with discounts on campus food, bookstore purchases, clinic services, and gear rentals through our outdoor program (kayaks, snow shoes, bikes and more).

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.  Studies have shown that candidates that are female and/or BIPOC are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all of the qualifications they find in the job description. We are seeking the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be a person who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every minimum qualification described or are unsure if your experience could be considered related experience.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

It is the policy of Pacific University not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military, veteran or Vietnam Era status, or any other protected classification recognized by applicable law, in admission, access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or any other applicable state or federal law, or city ordinance. Questions or complaints may be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116, provost@pacificu.edu.

Application materials will be screened and interview candidates will be selected and notified by telephone.  The hiring process normally consists of several interviews and can last several weeks depending on the position.  All applicants will be notified once the position is filled.  Employment is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.