Description

Job Requisition:

JR101385 Communications Manager - Alumni Engagement (Open)

Job Posting Title:

Communications Manager - Alumni Engagement

Department:

CC00301 WM001 | WMUA | Univ. Mktg & Adv. Comms

Job Family:

Staff - Communications

Worker Sub-Type:

Regular (benefited)

Job Requisition Primary Location:

Discovery 2

Primary Job Posting Location:

William & Mary

Job Description Summary:

In University Advancement, we create the conditions for opportunity – human, financial, & experiential – by garnering and stewarding the resources that advance William & Mary.

At William & Mary, we convene great hearts and minds to meet the most pressing needs of our time. As such, the university aspires to attract and retain exceptional students, faculty and staff who keep W&M at the forefront of teaching, learning and research. University Marketing emphasizes three core areas — enrollment, advancement and institutional reputation — to enhance William & Mary’s standing as a top institution of higher learning in the U.S. and around the globe. Through its work to strengthen brand perception, student recruitment, alumni engagement and fundraising, University Marketing advances William & Mary’s distinctive excellence, raises its profile worldwide and secures its financial foundation — creating meaningful connections and wide-ranging impact for all times coming.

The Communications Manager - Alumni Engagement is a key member of the Strategic Communications team in University Marketing at William & Mary. University Marketing includes all William & Mary efforts to develop and execute marketing programs and campaigns that increase brand identity, perception and awareness across three core areas: enrollment, advancement and institutional reputation. William & Mary’s ability to flourish and advance as a preeminent university depends largely on our ability to drive competitive application and enrollment metrics, ensure long-term financial sustainability and raise W&M’s profile on a national and global scale.

Reporting to the Director of Communications, the Alumni Engagement Communications Manager partners with and advises colleagues in Advancement to develop strategic communications plans that help the university advance its goals. The person in this position will be a key partner for colleagues across the university and in the W&M Alumni Association, focusing on communications to and about alumni.

The Alumni Engagement Communications Manager is responsible for pitching, researching, creating, writing, and editing compelling content for digital and printed communications that seek to engage our constituents. These communications include the W&M Alumni Magazine, engagement and fundraising materials, event invitations and collateral, scripts webpages, video captions, emails, social media posts and more.

University Marketing is led by a creative and collaborative team of talented professionals who bring their unique expertise to every project. Our innovative, inclusive and results-oriented approach positions William & Mary as a preeminent university at the vanguard of academic achievement and leading-edge research. University Marketing’s work helps to create a lasting, robust culture of engagement and philanthropy by engaging prospective and current students, alumni, parents and friends, corporations and foundations, and faculty and staff. Engagement is often defined as “going, giving and serving” — staying connected and active in the W&M community through attending events, contributing philanthropically and volunteering. William & Mary’s ability to flourish and advance as a world-class university depends largely upon the active support of these key stakeholders.

This is a hybrid position based in Williamsburg, VA, that offers a flexible work environment.

Learn more about University Advancement and view the full position description for this job on the University Advancement recruitment website: https://advancement.wm.edu/come-work-with-us/open-positions/index.php.

Job Description:

Salary: Up to $55,000, commensurate with experience and internal alignment.

For full consideration, submit application materials by the review date. Applications received after the review date will be considered if needed. A resume and cover letter are required for this position.

Applicants must also upload their response to the prompt: "Why is it important for alumni to stay connected to their alma mater?"

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, marketing, English or related field or several (typically 3 or more) years of experience directly related to the position.

• Experience telling stories in a creative and accurate manner, with the ability to perform a variety of different writing tasks with creativity, imagination, originality, and effectiveness in message development and communications.

• Strong knowledge of marketing or communication principles.

• Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills, including use of style guides, with the demonstrated command of correct grammar, punctuation and spelling.

• Experience and comfort using Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams, as well as Adobe Acrobat (typically 3 years).

• Firm understanding of web technologies and applications, including mass email systems, social media tools and current communication trends.

• Demonstrates flexibility and outstanding organizational skills with the demonstrated ability to manage multiple and competing projects concurrently while adhering to strict deadlines.

• Strong interpersonal communications skills with the proven ability to work with a diverse audience and collaboratively with other writers, and designers and other team members and effectively collaborate, build support and consensus across a complex organization and express nuanced ideas.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in all aspects of public communications including strategy, planning, project management, editing, and publishing (typically three or more years).

• Significant experience in print publication and integrated media communications (typically five or more years).

• Extensive portfolio that includes a variety of communications pieces (including publications, appeal letters, social media collateral, proposals, talking points, website content, scripts, and digital communications).

• Knowledge of admission, enrollment, advancement, and student information systems.

• An in-depth understanding of best practices in university marketing and communications.

• Understanding of the operating structure of universities and the complex relationship of public universities to their constituencies.

Conditions of Employment: 

• This is a non-exempt position, eligible to receive overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act. This position may be subject to overtime during high peak times, etc. as directed and approved by the supervisor.

• This position is eligible for a flexible work schedule.

• This position is subject to evening and weekend work.

• This position requires the ability to travel as required.

Job Duties: 

70% - Develop Content:

• Source, Create, and Develop Content for Various Communications Channels.

• Pitch, research, create, write, and edit compelling content for various communication channels including speeches, targeted email and mail campaigns, event collateral, articles, appeals, webpages, engagement and fundraising materials, social media and other communications.

• Identify the best communication channel for each piece of content and target writing style and messaging as appropriate for the channel.

• Generate, research and identify ideas for stories that highlight alumni, students, faculty, staff and alumni who are actively engaged in advancing the mission, vision and values of William & Mary.

• Pitch creative ideas that offer a unique interpretation or editorial opinion that reflect the W&M brand and support key messages and goals.

25% - Execute Communications:

• Design, develop, and implement communications plans, based on best practices for fundraising, philanthropy, and engagement.

• Partner with and advise colleagues in Advancement to develop and implement strategic communications plans that help the university advance its goals.

• Collaborate with other staff across University Marketing in the development of content and the execution of tactics that ensure content is reaching intended audiences.

• Keep up with trends in higher education communications and nonprofit engagement, evaluate current communications and recommend improvements.

• Analyze trends, evaluate feedback on communications and recommend improvements.

5% - Common Communication:

• Serve as a liaison to and team lead for a set of communication clients.

• Participate in working groups to plan, coordinate and execute original communications products and publications related to special events and programs.

• Assist director, executive director and project manager in creating production schedules and managing communication projects.

• Assist University Marketing in staffing large-scale events, as is required for all department staff.

• Learn about the university and participate in campus and advancement programs.

Additional Job Description:

Job Profile:

JP0836 - Public Relations & Marketing Specialist III - Nonexempt - Salary - S08

Qualifications:

Compensation Grade:

S08

Recruiting Start Date:

2026-02-23

Review Date:

2026-03-24

Position Restrictions:

EEO is the Law.  Applicants can learn more about William & Mary’s status as an equal opportunity employer by viewing the "Know Your Rights" poster published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https://www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal

Background Check: William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check. 

Remote Work Disclaimer: Remote work eligibility is not guaranteed and is subject to approval. Employee eligibility depends on the likelihood of the employee succeeding in a remote work arrangement and the supervisor’s ability to manage remote workers. Departments and/or Human Resources may amend, alter, change, delete, or modify eligibility.