Wake Forest University Hiring for Assistant Director, Communications and Community Relations, Campus Recreation at Winston Salem, NC Full Time

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** Cover letter required for all positions and optional for facilities, campus services, and hospitality positions unless otherwise specified.Job Description SummaryThe Assistant Director is responsible for overseeing all department marketing, communications, corporate sponsorship, and parent and alumni relations. The Assistant Director provides oversight, strategic direction, and assessment of a comprehensive and integrated marketing, communications, and fundraising strategy for Campus Recreation & the Wellbeing Center programs, services, and facilities which aligns with divisional and departmental goals.This staff member will generate corporate sponsorship gifts to support Campus Recreation programs and services. Additionally, the Assistant Director will cultivate relationships with alumni, parents, and other prospective donors to raise funds to increase and enhance student engagement and wellbeing. The individual will be a primary representative of Campus Recreation and the WF Wellbeing Center to external constituencies including, but not limited to, corporations, foundations, alumni, parents, and prospective students’ and their families. This position collaborates with Campus Life partners to promote health, wellbeing, and engagement by all members of the campus community.Job Description

Essential Functions:

Corporate Sponsorship/ Community Relations

• Identify and cultivate relationships with university and community partners for events, sponsorship and development opportunities.

• Creates, promotes and assists with development and obtaining sponsorship for major events. Sponsorship can be through funds, in-kind goods or services, or a combination of both.

• Identify and create additional sponsorship opportunities for partners, including tabling events, signage, etc.

• Develops sponsorship agreements, conducts mailings to sponsors and maintains tracking reports of legal documents.

• Work closely with external advertising agencies on incoming corporate sponsorship opportunities, such as sampling.

• Assists with development of promotional, educational and training material in support of event marketing and commercial sponsorship.

• Works closely with WF Wellbeing Center Marketing Student Manager with coordination of marketing to ensure sponsored events are effectively promoted throughout campus.

• Creates signage materials, invitations and event displays, as needed.

• Represents the department and university at events and programs that support the cultivation of business opportunities.

• Assists as needed with the coordination of event planning and debrief meetings.

• Maintains audit-ready sponsorship files in accordance with established procedures and checklists.

• Maintains inventory of sponsorship in-kind materials.

Donor & Parent Relations

• Assists departmental administration in determining feasibility and funding strategies for new and ongoing programs; plan and establish goals consistent with the direction or overall objectives of the program.

• Work with Campus Recreation colleagues to identify areas of need and potential gifting opportunities.

• In collaboration with University Advancement, initiates, coordinates, and cultivates Campus Recreation and WF Wellbeing Center Parents’ Advisory Board.

• Assists in developing and implementing policies and procedures related to gift acknowledgement, donor recognition, record keeping, communications and other related activities.

• Maintains effective collecting, recording, accounting, acknowledgement and follow-up on all private gifts.

• Develops appropriate communications such as fund-raising/sponsorship proposals, newsletters, brochures, and pamphlets to include editing and production of publications, web site and non-print communication projects.

• Determines fiscal requirements and prepares budgetary recommendations; monitor, verify and reconcile expenditure of budgeted funds.

• Represents the department and university at events and programs that support the cultivation of business opportunities.

Marketing

• Develops and assesses a comprehensive and integrated marketing plan for Campus Recreation & the Wellbeing Center programs, services, and facilities which aligns with divisional and departmental goals. Contributes to department success in meeting key metrics of participation, satisfaction, and sales.

• Develops and updates an annual marketing calendar. Creates and adheres to action plans and timelines for all marketing campaigns to include evaluation and assessment of campaign effectiveness and penetration.

• Develops departmental brands and images ensuring that a unified departmental identity is conveyed and consistency in messaging across all marketing mediums. Ensures all communication adheres to University brand identity and trademark standards.

• Coordinates marketing related to special events and outreach efforts like resources fairs and orientations which are intended to increase awareness and utilization of programs, services, and facilities.

• Sources and orders imprinted promotional items, as needed.

• Works with the Office of Communication and External Relations and other marketing professionals on press releases, local print and broadcast media coverage, and other external exposure, as needed.

Supervision

• Recruits, hires, trains, evaluates and mentors student marketing team (i.e. graphic designers, photographers, videographers, and social media & web page content creators).

• Manages all activities related to the creation, production, and implementation of print and electronic marketing and promotion materials.

• Serves as a motivated, enthusiastic, and hands-on leader who inspires and fosters a creative environment for all staff.

• Serves as a mentor and encourages professional development.

Administrative

• Develops a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods (i.e. social media analytics, departmental metrics, surveys, sampling, and focus groups) to evaluate and improve marketing, communications, and sponsorship effectiveness.

• Promotes Wake Forest University’s efforts to develop an evidence-based collegiate wellbeing model through professional association journals, trade magazines, and similar avenues.

• Prioritizes efforts to meet deadlines, effectively manage resources, and build collaborative partnerships to achieve expected outcomes.

• Ensures professional and effective marketing for revenue generating programs (i.e. personal training, swim lessons, and facility rentals).

• Advises student club sports in the development of regular parent and alumni e-newsletters, as needed.

• Develops a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods (i.e. social media analytics, departmental metrics, surveys, sampling, and focus groups) to evaluate and improve marketing and communications effectiveness.

Other Functions:

• Engages students in corporate sponsorship and donor & parent relations activities for adding value to both the student and sponsor/donor experience.

• Provides strategic marketing and communications perspective and expertise with WF Wellbeing Center leadership.

• Educate Campus Recreation and Wellbeing Center staff on effective and emerging marketing strategies.

• Actively engages with parents, alumni, and friends at major campus events including, but not limited to, new student orientations, Homecoming & Reunion Weekend, Parent & Family Weekend, and Commencement.

• Establish and meet or exceed annual performance and fund-raising goals.

• Identifies and develops alternate revenue streams.

• Explores opportunities to engage students in corporate sponsorship and donor & parent relations

• Writes reports, make presentations, attend meetings, serve on committees, and other related administrative duties.

• Updates knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, professional reading, maintaining professional networks and participating in professional organizations.

• Supports and promotes a climate of collaboration, inclusion, continuous learning, problem solving, and big-picture and future-thinking perspective. Engages in evidence-based decision-making and promotes development and learning for students, faculty, and staff.

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing or related field.

• At least four years professional experience in non-profit fundraising, corporate sponsorship, sales, or related.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative and follow-through, think critically, problem solve, make rational decisions, and meet goals and deadlines. An organized, highly energetic, creative, self-starter/self-motivated planner.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate, develop partnerships and solid relationships, and work effectively as a member of a fast-paced, results-oriented team.

• Knowledge of effecting marketing and communications practices particularly social media marketing.

• Demonstrated ability in planning and implementing long- and short-range development and corporate sponsorship initiatives in conjunction with strategic planning processes.

• Ability to secure major gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other funding sources. Skilled at developing genuine relationships, networking, making cold-calls, negotiating deals, and maintaining strong relations.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with academic leadership, faculty, parents, alumni, prospects, donors, and students in a wide range of roles.

• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present effectively to small and large groups.

• Demonstrated experience in managing events and other complex activities in support of objectives.

• Ability to conduct research, gather data, analyze information, and prepare effective, accurate, and timely reports and other documents to support sponsorship and development objectives.

• Ability to exercise good judgment, to demonstrate an understanding of ethics related to development activities, and to use discretion in interactions with donors, prospects, volunteers, and others.

• Ability to foster effective working relationships within a team environment.

• Demonstrated ability in recruiting and managing volunteers and engaging them effectively in supporting the unit through fund-raising, consultation, and advocacy.

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion and to promoting healthy, active lifestyles.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Prior supervisory experience preferably with college students and/or entry-level employees.

• Prior marketing and communications experience in a collegiate environment.

• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with promoting student leadership development.

• Skills in budget preparation and fiscal management.

Accountabilities:

• Supervision of Campus Recreation student marketing team.

Additional Job DescriptionTime Type RequirementFull timeNote to Applicant:This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.Wake Forest seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce while promoting an inclusive work environment committed to excellence in the spirit of Pro Humanitate. In adherence with applicable laws and as provided by University policies, the University prohibits discrimination in its employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and veteran status and encourages qualified candidates across all group demographics to apply.