Date:	February 20, 2015
Reports to (Job Title):	Associate Director, Stewardship
Jobs Reporting (Job Titles):	Co-op Student (in concert with Donor Relations Officer)
Department:	Office of Advancement
Location:	Waterloo Campus
Grade:	USG 8 35 hr/wk

Primary Purpose

Reporting to the Associate Director, Stewardship, the Communications Associate is responsible for working collaboratively to plan, develop, execute, and evaluate creative communication strategies and multi-media materials for Advancement teams both central and faculty based. While ensuring that communications strategies within Advancement are consistent with branding standards, department messaging, and editorial and graphic policies, the Communications Associate provides writing, copy editing, layout, and project management support for client areas in the execution of a number of Advancement-wide communications functions. As a member of the Donor Relations and Stewardship team within Advancement Services, the Communications Associate interacts with other key units including Creative Services, Marketing and Strategic Communications (MSC), Central Development, and Alumni Relations to develop and support strategies that encourage philanthropic contributions to the university and that describe the impact of these contributions on the university’s mission and vision.

Key Accountabilities:

1. Provides support for content, development, and maintenance of Support Waterloo website (20%)

Maintain and post content on the Support Waterloo website
Work in collaboration with team members to develop ongoing website strategies and enhancements for the Support Waterloo website
Report and analzye webpage performance using Google Analytics and other analytics as available

2. Assist in development and project management of annual publications, donor communications, recognition listings, print inventory, correspondence updates for Development and Donor Relations Units (60%)

Undertake research, interview, gather testimonials and photos, create content, assist with coordinating production and approvals for specialized communication projects as required (e.g. holiday cards, appeals, annual impact reports, custom donor reports, standard development print pieces)
Manage or assist with data pull criteria for various projects and document
Post annual donor lists on Support Waterloo website
Assist with the development and maintenance of procedures and identify improvements to internal processes
Write or revise standard and personalized gift recognition/acknowledgement, thank you and fundraising letters as required
Provide support for annual donor recognition events such as the President’s Reception

3. Provides coordinated project management for special initiatives and digital projects (20%)

Assist in planning and implementation of projects that have a digital and social media element to them including, but not limited, to video (e.g. National Philanthropy Day)
Assume coordination of sending content to various communication staff in different faculties and departments to be pushed out on social media
Perform other duties as assigned

Position Requirements

Education:

Degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, English or related discipline.

Experience:

2-4 years of experience in a communications and/or project management role with a proven track record of writing, project coordination as well as sound knowledge of web applications, digital media, design and print production, and marketing. Understanding of fundraising, donor relations and university advancement is preferred and considered a strong asset. The incumbent must have strong interpersonal skills, be passionate about quality, and be able to deliver in a high performance environment with multiple projects, stakeholders and competing deadlines.

Technical:

MS Word	Excel	PowerPoint	Other
Advanced	intermediate-Advanced	Intermediate	CMS, media editing software, Adobe suite (including photoshop) is desirable. Experience with a relational database or Raiser’s Edge is an asset.

Nature and Scope

Interpersonal Skills:

A positive team approach to working with colleagues within team, unit and across campus. Professional, customer service oriented outlook. Display initiative, enthusiasm, and collaboration.

Level of Responsibility:

Within key accountabilities framework demonstrate tact, results, and new approaches. Establish specific annual goals and objectives in consultation with Associate Director.

Decision-Making Authority:

Must be able to make informed decisions within accountability of role. Should exercise proactive project leadership and identify risks/mitigating strategies before problems occur. Accountable and responsible for navigating projects with attention to budgets, deadlines, and quality.

Physical and Sensory Demands:

Standard office environment related physical activities with occasional lifting requirements when helping to set up for an event. Peak times can include simultaneous demands and pressures.

Working Environment:

Some occasional work outside normal working hours (i.e. events, project deadlines).

Communications Associate, Donor Relations and Stewardship