Director, Strategic Communications Advancement

Reports To: 

Vice President, Advancement

Position Status:

Full-Time

Posted Pay Range: 

$65,502.00 - $81,877.00

About Us:

College of Western Idaho (CWI) is committed to empowering students to succeed by providing affordable and accessible education to advance the local and global workforce.

Offering premier programs and degrees that make a difference, CWI remains a top choice for higher education in the Treasure Valley. Empowering the community one student at a time, CWI moves fearlessly forward paving the way to bold new futures with flexible options, exceptional tuition value, and support every step of the way.

Visit Why CWI to learn more.

Position Summary:

The Director of Strategic Communications (DSC) collaborates with the Advancement Team and CWI Colleagues to build a community of donors, volunteers, and advocates with a shared purpose to advance the College of Western Idaho.
This key leadership role will lead the communication and marketing efforts for the Advancement Division at the College of Western Idaho, leveraging and integrating Advancement communications to inform, demonstrate impact, engage, and foster affinity for the College. The Director will oversee all communication channels within the Advancement Division, develop and write appeals, and collaborate closely with the College's Marketing and Communications team. Reporting to the Vice President of Advancement, the Director will play a pivotal role in shaping the College's narrative and building lasting relationships with donors.

Essential Functions:

Donor Communication Strategy:
• Develop and execute a comprehensive donor communication plan that effectively informs and showcases the impact of philanthropy on the College of Western Idaho.
• Oversee the development of fundraising campaign materials, campaign messages, and the case of support.
• Craft compelling narratives and stories about CWI students, faculty, staff, and programs, as well as outcomes resulting from donor contributions.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure accurate representation of the College's achievements in donor communications.

Donor Relations and Affinity Building:
• Design initiatives that engage donors and cultivate a strong sense of affinity for the College.
• Collaborate with the Advancement Team and CWI colleagues to design and execute events that create affinity and shared purpose for CWI constituents.
• Utilize various communication channels, including digital platforms, print materials, and events, to connect with donors on a personal and meaningful level.
• Develop personalized donor engagement plans to enhance the overall donor experience.

Event Planning:
• Lead and collaborate with the Advancement Team and CWI colleagues to design and execute events that create affinity and shared purpose for CWI constituents.
• Oversee presidential events involving donor cultivation and stewardship.

Communication Channel Oversight:
• Take ownership of all communication channels within the Advancement Division, including newsletters, social media, website content, and direct mail campaigns.
• Ensure consistency and messaging alignment across various platforms to strengthen the College's brand and reputation.

Appeals Development and Writing:
• Lead the development and writing of compelling appeals to secure financial support from donors.
• Collaborate with fundraising teams to align appeals with campaign goals and objectives.
• Ensure all appeals are strategically crafted to resonate with the target audience.

Collaboration with the Marketing and Communications Team:
• Collaborate closely with the College's Marketing and Communications team to ensure alignment with overall institutional messaging and branding.
• Leverage the expertise of the Marketing and Communications team to enhance the visual and digital components of donor communications.

Reporting and Analysis:
• Utilize data analytics to evaluate the effectiveness of donor communication strategies.
• Provide regular reports to the Vice President of Advancement on key performance indicators related to donor communication and engagement.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field preferred
• 5 years of experience in strategic communications, donor relations, fundraising, or related roles within a