Overview

University Relations and Development (URAD) shares the university’s vision and mission underscored in the 2020 five-year strategic plan. The plan identifies five strategic priorities including: Becoming a Premier Public Research University: A New Kind of Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI); Resilience. Designed to Thrive; We Are SDSU; Equity and Inclusion in Everything We Do; and Students at Our Core.

Units of URAD work together to create enduring relationships with alumni, parents, donors, students and the community, to generate private support for SDSU students, faculty and a diverse number of programs. URAD handles a range of services encompassing stewardship, events, gift administration, communications and more.

Within URAD, the departments of Development, SDSU Alumni, Planned Giving, Special Events, Donor Relations, Marketing and Communications, Financial Management, Data Management, Prospect Research and Management and Operations are making a difference in the lives of SDSU’s 35,000 students.

The Communications Specialist will support the Director of Marketing with various duties including article writing, editing, social media caption writing, and website updates for SDSU Alumni.

Responsibilities

Under immediate supervision of the Assistant Director of Digital Communications & Fundraising, the Digital Communications Assistant will focus on building alumni engagement, increasing donor count, and fundraising through strong and strategic digital communications. This position will utilize strong graphic design and marketing background to assist in the creation and dissemination of digital materials targeted to alumni and donor groups associated with the San Diego State University community.

The Communications Specialist is responsible for but not limited to:

Communications – 40%

• Manage office communications calendar, build communications timelines and provide office-wide communications support for events, programs and projects.
• Compose high-quality articles, spotlights and messaging which displays expert level writing and editing ability for multiple media mediums.
• Work with the Director of Marketing to identify, pitch and maintain editorial listing of compelling story ideas for distribution on the department’s website, newsletter, social media channels, SDSU Magazine and more.
• Conduct interviews to write spotlights and articles for digital, print and social media.
• Work with Sr. Director of URAD Marketing and Director of SDSU Alumni Marketing, to identify and execute pipeline building donor stories.
• Support Executive Director, Alumni Board Council and other SDSU Alumni colleagues with various requests for written materials including biographies and scripts.
• Collaborate with campus partners to promote alumni engagement and raise the department's awareness with the campus community.
• Follow AP Style and SDSU’s Editorial Style Guide.
• Monitor recent news and databases and networks like Advance CRM and LinkedIn to identify alumni news.
• Execute all aspects of Aztec for Life Monthly Prize Giveaway including winner selections, notification, interview, and Write-up.
• Support Director of Marketing as needed to serve as back-up in responding to various communication requests.

SDSU Alumni eNews - 20%

• Write 2-3 top stories for the SDSU Alumni eNews which is distributed once a month.
• Source additional news from campus partners to include in the eNews, including Annual Giving, SDSU Bookstore, and Global Campus.
• Manage editorial rundown and assign web student assistant with uploading content to the website to be published in time for eNews
• Responsible for all written elements of eNews including headline, introductory paragraph and additional marketing copy for all sections of the email.
• Design eNews article images and corresponding chevron images for landing page for article.
• Responsible for building the first draft of eNews to then be passed along to the Director of Marketing and Alumni Relations Specialist for final edits and approval.

Marketing - 15%

• Support Director of Marketing on projects as directed, duties to include building graphics and building marketing campaigns.
• Support content and posting to the SDSU Alumni social media channels, contribute to the social media calendar and provide guidance and support to the SDSU Alumni marketing student assistant team.
• Write promotional blurbs and website copy in support of SDSU Alumni and partner events, SDSU Alumni lifetime member campaigns and office programs.
• Support SDSU Alumni engagement and membership goals by providing marketing support for various programs.
• Provide office-wide email marketing support for events, programs and projects as needed.

Aztec Network - 10%

• Work with the Director of Alumni and Community Engagement and Director of Marketing to promote Aztec Network.
• Build graphics and marketing materials to help build a community of users on the platform on and off campus.
• Responsible for publishing content to the platform and monitoring the platform’s feed.
• Maintain the platform’s look and feel by keeping it fresh and engaging with new graphics throughout the year.
• Build a communications schedule for the platform to communicate with its users and build awareness of the platform’s ability.

Additional Programs - 10%

• Collaborate with Sr. Director of URAD Marketing and Director of SDSU Alumni Marketing to support the alignment of marketing strategies related to SDSU Alumni with marketing strategies related to URAD and SDSU.
• Provide overall marketing and social media support to promote the PPG Alumni Center and to help achieve department goals.
• Provide marketing support for SDSU Alumni lifetime membership. Help build campaigns, write copy and design marketing materials.

 Other Duties As Assigned - 5%

Qualifications

Knowledge and Abilities

• Previous experience working with electronic communications platforms such as newsletters and website content.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with a solid foundation in grammar, spelling, and the composition of various communication vehicles
• Thorough knowledge of the program and applicable communications techniques
• Ability to work fairly autonomously and exercise sound judgment and discretion in completion of assignments and projects 
• Working knowledge of and ability to apply standard theories, practices, principles and techniques related to communications
• Thorough knowledge of and ability to use effectively media outlets including planning media coverage and media publicity campaigns
• Working knowledge of copyright and other applicable laws pertaining to publications and the media
• Thorough knowledge of web communication techniques, vehicles and formats. Ability to effectively use web technology to achieve communication goals
• Ability to analyze and select pertinent facts and integrate them into communication vehicles
• Strong story development and journalistic writing skills, as well as advanced editorial skills. Ability to define and deliver media messages.
• Ability to apply market research to identify communication needs and target audiences
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including strong public speaking, listening and interpretive skills
• Ability to provide lead work direction

Experience/Education

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Up to two years of related professional or technical experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Progressively responsible full-time marketing experience.
• Progressively responsible full-time experience in a higher education development environment
• Experience working with digital materials such as marketing pieces, solicitation materials and newsletters.

Additional Applicant Information

• Candidate must reside in California or live in a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an EEO/AA/Disability/Vets/Title IX Employer.