Director of University Development Communications

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TITLE: Apply Director of University Development Communications
Office of Development
LOCATION: Longview
DATE POSTED: 07-01-2025
REPORTS TO: Assistant Vice President for Development
SCHEDULE: Full Time
POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Director of University Development Communications will be a key member of the University Development and Build with Purpose Campaign team, responsible for shaping and executing strategic communications that elevate alumni engagement, strengthen donor relationships, and drive philanthropic support for Ó£ÌÒÖ±²¥ and the Build with Purpose Campaign. This role bridges fundraising and storytelling with multi-channel campaign strategy—ensuring that every message reflects LETU’s Christ-centered mission and inspires generosity.

This position is ideal for an innovative communicator who excels in a dynamic environment focusing on donor engagement, marketing strategy, and collaboration. The Director will lead the planning and execution of all development communications, with special focus on multichannel campaigns for annual and mid-level giving, including Giving Day, and partner closely with University Marketing & Communications, Enrollment, and Alumni Relations to amplify the university’s voice and impact with donors and alumni.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Development Communications Management (60%)

  • Develop and execute an annual communications plan for University Development with special attention on annual giving and mid-level donor engagement.
  • Design and manage multi-channel strategies—including email, direct mail, web content, and social media—for alumni and donor audiences.
  • Craft donor-centric communications that reflect the university’s Christian mission, values, and impact, in alignment with brand standards ranging from event content to a Giving Day campaign.
  • Segment audiences to deliver personalized content to mid-level donors and prospects, supporting cultivation, retention, and donor upgrade efforts.
  • Partner with development officers, faculty, and campus units to create compelling appeals, impact stories and donor recognition materials.
  • Manage day-to-day operations of Development and Alumni’s social media presence, ensuring timely, mission-aligned content and donor engagement.
  • Use data and analytics to assess communication performance and optimize future strategy.

Collaboration with Key University Partners (30%)

  1. Development and Foundation Teams
  • Develop cohesive messaging plans tailored to a range of donor audiences—from new supporters to endowment holders.
  1. Alumni Relations
  • Collaborate to create engaging alumni storytelling and ensure high-quality content for newsletters, appeals, and events.
  • Build affinity through shared messaging that celebrates alumni success and the impact of giving.
  1. Deans and Administrators
  • Connect with units and schools to share content for wider distribution to donor and alumni audiences
  1. University Marketing and Communications Team
  • Align donor-facing communications with university-wide branding and tone.
  • Leverage university stories, campaigns, and design templates to amplify Development content.
  • Ensure initiatives are integrated with broader institutional messaging.

Other Duties (10%)

  • Call, write and visit with donors individually as appropriate to achieve fundraising goals.
  • Represent University Development at donor and university-wide functions as needed.
  • Remain current with trends in fundraising communications and digital strategy.
QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

  • Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field.
  • Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in communications, fundraising, or higher education.
  • Excellent writing, editing, and content creation skills with attention to tone and audience.
  • Proficiency in email marketing platforms, CRM databases (e.g., Blackbaud NXT, Salesforce), and social media tools.
  • Graphic design or content management system experience (e.g., Canva, Adobe, WordPress).
  • Experience developing content for multiple platforms (web, email, print, social).
  • Strong project management and organizational abilities.
  • A collaborative spirit with a commitment to Christian higher education.

Preferred:

  • Prior experience in advancement communications or donor marketing.
  • Familiarity with donor segmentation, stewardship strategy, and performance analytics.
  • A design portfolio that demonstrates creativity
  • Experience with the printing process, design and budget management
  • Strong editing and proofing skills with great attention to detail.
SALARY: Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and other qualifications. Ó£ÌÒÖ±²¥ provides a significant benefit package, which includes medical and life insurance and contribution to a retirement program
PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION OR NOMINATION:

Applications will be reviewed in the order received and will continue until the position is filled. In accordance with applicable provisions of federal law, applicants for employment who are in agreement with the educational mission of Ó£ÌÒÖ±²¥ and applicants for admission to educational programs or activities are considered without discrimination on the basis of race, age, sex, handicapping condition, national origin or genetic information. Inquiries about this policy should be directed to the Director of Human Resources, (903) 233-4170.

Applications are required and are available from www.letu.edu/jobs or from the Business Office, Ó£ÌÒÖ±²¥, 2100 Mobberly Avenue, Longview, TX. Send completed application, and a current resume to:

Ó£ÌÒÖ±²¥
ATTN: Human Resources
P.O. Box 7001
Longview, Texas 75607-7001
FAX (903) 233-4103
E-mail address: HumanResources@letu.edu

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY:

Ó£ÌÒÖ±²¥ is the premier Christian polytechnic university in the nation where educators engage students to nurture Christian virtue, develop competency and ingenuity in their professional fields, integrate faith and work, and serve the local and global community.

LETU is a Christ-centered, interdenominational institute of higher learning offering more than 85 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in arts and sciences, aviation, business & technology, communication, computer science, criminal justice, education, engineering, nursing, psychology & counseling and theology & vocation. LETU's 2,700 students represent nearly all 50 states, more than 30 foreign countries, and around 50 different denominational groups.

LETU is consistently recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of "America's Best Colleges," and the engineering program is ranked nationally. Ó£ÌÒÖ±²¥ is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, telephone 404-679-4500, at http://www.sacscoc.org) to award associate, baccalaureate and master's degrees. Ó£ÌÒÖ±²¥'s engineering and engineering technology programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission and the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone: 410-347-7700. The Carnegie Foundation classifies Ó£ÌÒÖ±²¥ as a Master's (Comprehensive) University II.

The 162 acre main campus is located in Longview, Texas, a progressive hub city with an MSA of over 190,000, nestled among the beautiful pine-forested hills and lakes of East Texas. It is approximately 120 miles east of Dallas, Texas and 60 miles west of Shreveport, Louisiana.

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