Boston University
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, DIRECT MARKETING, ANNUAL GIVING, Development & Alumni Relati
Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, us, 02298
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, DIRECT MARKETING, ANNUAL GIVING, Development & Alumni Relations
Job Location
BOSTON, MA, United States
Mission We in Boston University Advancement harness the power of philanthropy to make an excellent education accessible and welcoming to all, and to advance BU’s global leadership in research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice. To support our work, we have built and are continuing to build an outstanding team of dynamic, mission‑driven advancement professionals who constantly strive to create an environment where everyone belongs. Where it’s not just about a job, but a career and a community.
Position Overview Our Annual Giving team is looking for an Associate Director to lead the strategy, execution, and management of Boston University Advancement’s direct mail and email fundraising efforts, its largest donor and revenue channels while coordinating with internal partners, overseeing key campaigns like Giving Day, and ensuring alignment with broader institutional goals. Annual Giving at Boston University reaches alumni, students, parents, and friends each year, supporting research, emergency student assistance, conference travel, and more. The Associate Director oversees direct mail, the largest revenue and donor generator for Annual Giving, and the email strategy and execution for alumni, leadership donors, and parents—constituencies that total more than 300,000 prospects. The position also manages relationships with Boston University’s 16 school/college partners and is tasked with communicating and handling feedback about Annual Giving marketing efforts. As a critical member of the Annual Giving team, the Associate Director has leadership responsibilities and is expected to translate BU’s overall objectives, goals, and marketing strategies into actionable strategies and tactics for the direct marketing program. The Associate Director will also act as the project manager for multiple BU initiatives, including BU’s annual Giving Day, and maintain programmatic goals and budgets.
Direct Marketing
Create strategy and implement direct mail and email campaigns.
Oversee partnership with external printing vendors to produce and mail solicitations and stewardship appeals. •Ensures that all annual giving projects are completed and deployed on‑time.
Project Management
Set up a strong project management system to be used by the Annual Giving Team.
Project‑manage BU’s annual giving day and other large‑scale projects.
Coordinate BU Giving Day working meetings with internal and external partners.
Content Production and Editing
Work with internal partners to write, edit, and design solicitation materials.
Create strategic audience segments and messaging for annual giving solicitations.
Reporting
Collaborate with Data Analyst to produce reporting that informs future marketing strategies for schools/units.
Communicate central annual giving strategies and current best practices with schools/units.
Other Duties
Manage master direct marketing calendar for the annual giving team, ensuring projects stay on schedule and status updates are visible for all team members.
Serve as a back‑up for all direct marketing projects when the assistant director, direct marketing is out of the office.
Other duties as requested by the annual giving team to meet the goals of the department.
Required Skills and Qualifications
5‑8 years of higher education development, direct marketing, or related experience.
Experience and proficiency with MS Office suite, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Sales Force Marketing Cloud is a plus.
Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and maintain strict deadlines.
Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and maximize relationships with both internal and external partners.
Strong attention to detail is essential.
Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect.
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and a commitment to ensuring that each of us knows we belong here.
Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.
Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh approaches and measurable results.
Continuous growth and improvement, both as individuals and as a team.
Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals that matter.
If this resonates with you and you want to help us in our ambitious next campaign—and maybe do some of your best work as an advancement professional— we encourage you to apply. If you are hesitant to apply because you have not previously performed every responsibility listed in the description, but you do possess transferable skills, our values, and the defined qualifications, we still want to hear from you and welcome your application as well.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to complete the employment application process, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 617‑358‑1796.
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Mission We in Boston University Advancement harness the power of philanthropy to make an excellent education accessible and welcoming to all, and to advance BU’s global leadership in research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice. To support our work, we have built and are continuing to build an outstanding team of dynamic, mission‑driven advancement professionals who constantly strive to create an environment where everyone belongs. Where it’s not just about a job, but a career and a community.
Position Overview Our Annual Giving team is looking for an Associate Director to lead the strategy, execution, and management of Boston University Advancement’s direct mail and email fundraising efforts, its largest donor and revenue channels while coordinating with internal partners, overseeing key campaigns like Giving Day, and ensuring alignment with broader institutional goals. Annual Giving at Boston University reaches alumni, students, parents, and friends each year, supporting research, emergency student assistance, conference travel, and more. The Associate Director oversees direct mail, the largest revenue and donor generator for Annual Giving, and the email strategy and execution for alumni, leadership donors, and parents—constituencies that total more than 300,000 prospects. The position also manages relationships with Boston University’s 16 school/college partners and is tasked with communicating and handling feedback about Annual Giving marketing efforts. As a critical member of the Annual Giving team, the Associate Director has leadership responsibilities and is expected to translate BU’s overall objectives, goals, and marketing strategies into actionable strategies and tactics for the direct marketing program. The Associate Director will also act as the project manager for multiple BU initiatives, including BU’s annual Giving Day, and maintain programmatic goals and budgets.
Direct Marketing
Create strategy and implement direct mail and email campaigns.
Oversee partnership with external printing vendors to produce and mail solicitations and stewardship appeals. •Ensures that all annual giving projects are completed and deployed on‑time.
Project Management
Set up a strong project management system to be used by the Annual Giving Team.
Project‑manage BU’s annual giving day and other large‑scale projects.
Coordinate BU Giving Day working meetings with internal and external partners.
Content Production and Editing
Work with internal partners to write, edit, and design solicitation materials.
Create strategic audience segments and messaging for annual giving solicitations.
Reporting
Collaborate with Data Analyst to produce reporting that informs future marketing strategies for schools/units.
Communicate central annual giving strategies and current best practices with schools/units.
Other Duties
Manage master direct marketing calendar for the annual giving team, ensuring projects stay on schedule and status updates are visible for all team members.
Serve as a back‑up for all direct marketing projects when the assistant director, direct marketing is out of the office.
Other duties as requested by the annual giving team to meet the goals of the department.
Required Skills and Qualifications
5‑8 years of higher education development, direct marketing, or related experience.
Experience and proficiency with MS Office suite, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Sales Force Marketing Cloud is a plus.
Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and maintain strict deadlines.
Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and maximize relationships with both internal and external partners.
Strong attention to detail is essential.
Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect.
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and a commitment to ensuring that each of us knows we belong here.
Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.
Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh approaches and measurable results.
Continuous growth and improvement, both as individuals and as a team.
Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals that matter.
If this resonates with you and you want to help us in our ambitious next campaign—and maybe do some of your best work as an advancement professional— we encourage you to apply. If you are hesitant to apply because you have not previously performed every responsibility listed in the description, but you do possess transferable skills, our values, and the defined qualifications, we still want to hear from you and welcome your application as well.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to complete the employment application process, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 617‑358‑1796.
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