Company Description:

Founded in 1887, Clark was one of the first all-graduate institutions in the United States. Today the University is a highly-ranked, student-centered institution educating approximately 2,350 undergraduate and 1,150 graduate students to be imaginative and contributing citizens of the world and to advance the frontiers of knowledge and understanding through rigorous scholarship and creative effort. This commitment to scholarship and inquiry reflects the University's commitment to "challenge convention and change our world" and to address issues of critical importance to society. It is also reflected by Clark's many national and international distinctions, including innovation, community engagement and impact, as a top green campus, and for having a distinguished geography and international development program. Clark has also been included in the groundbreaking Colleges that Change Lives guide since it was first published in 1996.

Clark is located in Worcester, Massachusetts, a dynamic, diverse city "on the rise". The second largest city in New England, Worcester is home to 11 institutions of higher learning and is increasingly recognized for its growing healthcare and biotechnology communities, its thriving cultural scene, and as a vibrant food hub.

Job Description:

Position Overview

Clark University seeks a highly organized, proactive, and strategically minded communicator to join its University Advancement team. This role offers the opportunity to play a visible and meaningful part in shaping how alumni, parents, and supporters engage with the University and how those connections translate into philanthropic impact.

The Assistant Director of Advancement Communications leads the execution and continuous improvement of digital communications across email, social media, and web. Working collaboratively across Advancement, Marketing and Communications, and campus partners, this role drives audience engagement through thoughtful storytelling, targeted outreach, and data-informed strategy.

This is an ideal opportunity for a detail-oriented, forward-thinking professional who is energized by digital strategy, takes initiative, and is motivated to improve performance through testing, analysis, and creative problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities

Email Communications (40%)

Lead the development, execution, and optimization of email communications for events, fundraising appeals, and alumni engagement initiatives.
Partner on high-impact campaigns such as GivingTuesday, Spree for Clark, Cougar Challenge, and other strategic initiatives.
Collaborate with campus partners to create targeted communications for segmented alumni audiences.
Oversee email testing, quality assurance, and performance tracking to ensure accuracy and effectiveness.
Analyze engagement metrics including open rates, click-through rates, and conversions, and translate insights into actionable improvements.
Maintain and enhance email templates to support efficiency, accessibility, and brand consistency.

Social Media Strategy & Management (20%)

Manage and grow Advancement's social media presence on Facebook and Instagram.
Develop and execute content strategies that increase engagement, visibility, and audience participation.
Create, schedule, and optimize content aligned with Advancement priorities and campaigns.
Monitor performance metrics and continuously refine content strategy based on results.
Highlight alumni and donor impact through storytelling that supports fundraising and engagement goals.
Coordinate with Marketing and Communications to ensure alignment with University-wide social media standards.

Digital Strategy & Campaign Optimization (20%)

Lead A/B testing strategies for email and digital campaigns, including subject lines, content, segmentation, and send times.
Analyze performance data across email, social media, and web channels to identify trends and inform strategy.
Partner with data and CRM teams to refine audience targeting and personalization approaches.
Develop and maintain reporting that tracks campaign performance and supports data-driven decision-making.
Recommend and implement strategic improvements to increase engagement, participation, and conversion across Advancement initiatives.

Website Management (10%)

Maintain and enhance Advancement webpages within the University's CMS.
Develop new pages and manage forms to support campaigns and events.
Use web analytics and user behavior data to improve content performance and user experience.

Additional Responsibilities (10%)

Coordinate communications timelines and support audience targeting in partnership with data teams.
Provide editing and quality control to ensure communications meet high standards for accuracy and clarity.
Ensure all content aligns with University branding, accessibility, and communication standards.
Support key Advancement events, including occasional evenings and weekends.
Maintain confidentiality of constituent and University information.
Contribute to strategic planning and execution in partnership with the Director of Advancement Communications.

What Success Looks Like

Increased engagement across email and social media channels.
Strong performance of digital campaigns supporting fundraising initiatives.
Clear, consistent, and compelling storytelling that strengthens alumni and donor relationships.
Efficient, well-executed communications delivered on time and aligned with strategic goals.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or related field.
2-4 years of experience in digital communications, marketing, or advancement communications.
Experience building and managing email campaigns using platforms such as Emma or Mailchimp.
Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
Experience managing social media accounts for an organization.

Preferred

Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or fundraising communications.
Familiarity with CRM systems, particularly Raiser's Edge.
Experience with CMS platforms such as Drupal or WordPress.
Proficiency with tools such as Hootsuite, Microsoft Office and Teams, Canva or Adobe Creative Suite.
Basic design skills and the ability to create simple, effective visual assets for digital communications.

Core Competencies

Strong organizational and project management skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
Strategic thinking and data-informed decision-making.
Collaborative and professional approach to working with partners.
Knowledge of accessibility and digital communication best practices.

Additional Information:

Expected Hiring Range: $49,800 to $54,750

Pay Transparency Disclosure:
The compensation for this position will be determined based on factors that include available budget, internal equity, and the selected candidate's qualifications, experience, education, and other job-related credentials. This range represents Clark University's good-faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting consistent with Clark's compensation philosophy and internal alignment.

At Clark University we believe that diversity of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds leads to a more innovative and productive work environment. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to join our team and contribute their unique ideas to help us achieve our goals.

Clark University offers a generous benefit package for full and, if applicable, part-time employees that include; paid time off, generous retirement plan, group health and dental insurance, life insurance, and tuition, along with use of many campus amenities. For a complete list of benefits for eligible employees visit here.

To review the Clark University Police Department Annual Security and Fire Safety Report visit here.

Application Instructions:

To be considered for this position, you must submit your credentials online. Create a Clark University Careers Account by clicking on the APPLY NOW button below. You will be able to upload the following documents, which are required for consideration:

Resume
Cover letter

See the FAQ for using our online system. Please contact us if you need assistance applying through this website.

Already have a Clark University Careers Account? Login to your account to add documents or update your account.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Salary will be commensurate with skills and experience.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer.

Clark University participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility in the United States.

A successful background check is required upon acceptance.

Clark University

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Assistant Director of Advancement Communications