The Director of Outreach and Donor Relations will lead the coordination and alignment of long-range communication strategies for the Office for Advancement in collaboration with campus partners. They oversee the strategic direction of fundraising, stewardship, and foundation communications through use of print, email, web, social media, and events. This encompasses planned and annual giving communication campaigns and recognition programs that celebrate and foster a culture of appreciation for FLC Foundation donors and FLC alums. This will be a key leader in the Office for Advancement with future management responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;
• Four or more years of progressive responsibilities specific to communication/public relations, fundraising, marketing/sales, or a related field; and
• Strong project management experience

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience working in a higher education environment
• strong ability to actively listen and evaluate conversations
• Working knowledge of fundraising strategies
• Proven ability to use data to properly inform decision making
• Demonstrated experience in budget management including negotiating third party partnerships
• Experience developing and implementing standards and protocols for multifaceted processes
• Excellent copyediting skills as well as written and verbal communication skills
• Strong leadership qualities, including the ability to manage, delegate and execute

Major Responsibilities: 

• Ensure quality, audience-centric, communications and outreach efforts are developed and executed for the Office for Advancement in support of fundraising goals and donor recognition.
• Meet regularly with staff and leadership across the college to assess, prioritize and coordinate fundraising and stewardship communication efforts on behalf of the FLC Foundation.
• Advise and support Advancement and Alumni Engagement staff, and campus partners, on strategic, on brand, and coordinated alumni and donor communications.
• Partner with the Marketing & Communications Department and Alumni Engagement staff to highlight the impact of philanthropy and alumni engagement at FLC through various channels.
• Identify, negotiate and lead engagements with third party vendors to support successful college-wide annual giving and planned giving campaigns. Ensure project scope of work is on-time and project implementation and execution is in alignment with contract(s) for project deliverables.
• Provide strategic leadership and direction to the College’s stewardship program, leading and managing the Donor Relations Coordinator, overseeing and conducting ongoing analyses of existing programs for continued improvement.
• Oversee simultaneous communication projects from inception to completion, with primary responsibility for project plans and team delegation:
•  Annual giving fundraising campaigns through multi-channel efforts and prioritizing and supporting campus partners’ annual giving solicitation plans
• Coordination for FLC Giving Day/Giving Tuesday
• Planned giving campaigns, newsletters and website
• Donor stewardship programs including donor acknowledgement letters, FLC Foundation annual impact reports, donor fund reports, and donor impact stories
• Ongoing FLC Foundation and Advancement web-site review and maintenance
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities;
• Maintain knowledge and awareness of digital accessibility including the American with Disabilities Act and Section 508;
• Produce and remediate digitally accessible materials in accordance with FLC standards;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Work Conditions: 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee can expect while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).
• Fast paced and fluid work environment
• Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.

Compensation: 

The salary range for this position is $65,000 to $72,000,  plus a comprehensive benefits package.

Application Process:

A complete application packet includes:

• Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for the position
  • Include details regarding how your personal and professional experiences allow you to encourage a learning environment grounded in equity and inclusion.  “How do you envision contributing to Fort Lewis College’s commitment to equity and inclusion?”
• Resume
• Names and contact information for three current, professional references