Executive Director of Advancement Marketing and Communications

Reporting directly to the Vice President of University Advancement, the Executive Director is an integral part of the Vice President’s senior team working to amplify the impact of philanthropy, highlight the value of the W&L network, and promote lifelong learning opportunities. The role oversees a professional marketing and communications team to proactively manage advancement messaging strategy, content creation, digital engagement, and analytics-driven marketing initiatives.

The Executive Director will play a key leadership role in advancing the university’s Leading Lives of Consequence campaign and shaping the long-term philanthropic narrative of Washington and Lee University. (learn more at https://campaign.wlu.edu/).

Washington and Lee University actively promotes a dynamic and welcoming environment that allows students and employees of multiple backgrounds and perspectives to learn, work, and thrive together. Successful candidates will contribute to that environment and exhibit potential for excellence in their areas of expertise.

Essential Functions

• Leads integrated advancement marketing and communications strategies aligned with institutional priorities that advance fundraising goals and deepen engagement.

• Serves as primary strategist and liaison between University Advancement and Communications and Public Affairs to ensure consistent advancement messaging, brand alignment, and coordination across platforms.

• Leads storytelling efforts that elevate donor impact, alumni achievement, and institutional priorities.

• Develops annual advancement marketing plans that deliver cohesive themes and messages across all channels including maintenance of a division-wide marketing and communications calendar.

• Establishes and tracks key performance indicators to measure impact and effectiveness to support data informed decisions.

• Oversees University Advancement web content and social media strategy, coordinating closely with University Communications and Public Affairs.

• Uses CRM systems and analytics to segment audiences, personalize outreach, measure engagement, and continuously improve communication strategies.

• Supports University Advancement events through strategic messaging, promotion, and targeted communications while ensuring event materials reinforce campaign priorities, engagement goals, and institutional identity.

• Convenes and leads University Advancement marketing and communications working group to coordinate work across the division, drive strategy, monitor results, and ensure coordination with Communications and Public Affairs. 

• Leads, mentors, and develops University Advancement marketing and communications staff; manages relationships with external agencies, consultants, and vendors as needed.

• Partners with University Communications and Public Affairs to announce major gifts and secure strategic visibility for current and prospective supporters across appropriate channels.

• Working with partners and staff liaisons across University Advancement, equips more than 1,000 advancement volunteers with clear messaging and materials to empower them to serve as effective ambassadors.

• Oversees development of advancement print and digital communications, including campaigns, email, web, social media, publications, and event materials, with a focus on compelling storytelling and donor impact and in coordination with Communications and Public Affairs.

• Ensures all University Advancement marketing and communications are accurate, strategic, and aligned with university brand standards.

• Writes, edits, and advises on messaging for solicitations, proposals, stewardship and impact reports, presentations, and events.

• Manages budgets, timelines, and deliverables to ensure high-quality outcomes and as needed serves as University Advancement’s primary liaison to creative vendors.

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, journalism, communications, or related field with advanced degree preferred.

• Minimum of seven years demonstrated professional experience in marketing and communications, with preference for direct experience in advancement and higher education.

• Extensive knowledge of integrated marketing strategy, brand management, digital marketing, audience segmentation, and data analytics.

• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling ability.

• Proficiency with marketing tools, CMS/CRM platforms, and design software.

• Demonstrated leadership and experience managing a professional team of skilled marketing and communications staff and external partners.

• Knowledge of best practices in university advancement higher education fundraising, engagement, communication, and stewardship.

• Exceptional collaborative skills and commitment to the mission and values of Washington and Lee University.

Application Instructions:

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.  Required materials include:

• Cover letter

• Resume

• Names and contact information for three professional references

• Candidates selected for interview may be asked to provide samples of marketing and communications work.

Application instructions for internal and external candidates can be found at https://www.wlu.edu/employment-opportunities/jobs-at-w-l.

Compensation:

The expected annual salary for this position is between $100,000 - $130,000.

Offers are based on factors such as qualifications, relevant experience, skills, internal equity, and market and organizational considerations.

Washington and Lee University also offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being of employees and their families. To learn more about working at W&L, benefits, and life in the Shenandoah Valley, visit jobs.wlu.edu.

Physical Requirements:

• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling.

• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

• Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

Working Conditions: The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Types of Work: Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Position Type:

Washington and Lee is an Equal Opportunity Employer seeking candidates committed to high standards of scholarship, performance, professionalism, and to a welcoming campus community. Job description requirements are representative, but not all‐inclusive of the knowledge, skill, and abilities needed to successfully perform this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.