Assistant Director, Communications - MCC Founda...

Job Description:

Function of Position:

The Assistant Director of Communications is responsible for developing and implementing storytelling, communications, and strategies that advance the mission of the Monroe Community College Foundation. The successful candidate will manage all aspects of communications, including social media, e-newsletters, the Foundation's signature Impact Report, and other donor-facing materials. This role will seek out and highlight student stories to inspire donors and prospects, while coaching student speakers and preparing talking points for board meetings and events. Reporting to the Associate Vice President, the Assistant Director will work closely with the Donor Engagement team to script event programs, ensure consistent messaging across all platforms, and steward the Foundation's voice, tone, and brand.

• This is a temporary position that may be renewed annually contingent upon availability of college budget and performance reviews. This position is eligible for paid time off and benefits.

Examples of Duties & Responsibilities:

Primary Functions

• Lead storytelling efforts for the Foundation across all channels, ensuring consistency in voice, tone, and brand. Follow Development team leads to interview and gather stories from donors, alumni, and students, highlighting impact through written, digital, and visual content.
• Identify and develop student stories for use at events, board meetings, and in donor communications; coach student speakers and draft remarks as needed.
• Collaborate with the Donor Engagement team to script Foundation events, including 5-8 annual events.
• Support donor recognition plans for major or historic investments, including press releases, media coverage, and related communications in partnership with the College's Community Relations team.
• Produce signature publications such as the Impact Report, in collaboration with staff, vendors, and campus partners.
• Manage digital communications, including social media, e-newsletters, e-appeals, and crowdfunding campaigns (with Athletics), ensuring alignment with annual messaging priorities.
• Draft donor acknowledgement templates, stewardship materials, and other core communications.
• Prepare award nominations on behalf of the Foundation for donors, alumni, board members, and college leaders.
• Work with designers and utilize in-house tools such as Canva to develop event invitations, presentation materials, and other physical/digital collateral as needed.
• Support scholarship recipient engagement by coordinating communications and connecting students with appropriate campus resources to encourage success and retention.

Secondary Functions

• Develop annual communications strategies that align with fundraising and engagement goals.
• Support e-communications to ensure a single, consistent Foundation voice across all platforms.
• Provide creative direction and editorial support for presentations, reports, and other donor-facing materials.
• Monitor and analyze communications performance to enhance reach, engagement, and impact.
• Participate as a full member of the Foundation's advancement team, including staff meetings and professional development activities.

MCC Expectations:

• Adheres to the College Code of Conduct.
• Contributes to, supports, and maintains an equitable, inclusive, and collaborative College environment.
• Maintains technological competencies utilized by the College.
• Commits to the philosophy of a comprehensive community college.
• Commits to professional growth. which includes seeking ongoing training in diversity, equity and inclusion to better serve students.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• Earned bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Two or more years' experience in communications, marketing, or public relations, preferably within a nonprofit, higher education, or mission-driven organization.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to create efficient systems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage multi-channel communications strategies (print, digital, and social media).
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with experience tailoring messages for diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple projects and deadlines and a vision to plan ahead and take initiative.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, social media platforms, and familiarity with design tools such as Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar.
• Collaborative, creative self-starter with the ability to work effectively across teams in a fast-paced environment and a positive and enthusiastic outlook.
• Ability to work with a diverse audience of alumni and donors.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, or a related field.
• Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or philanthropic communications.
• Familiarity with donor recognition, stewardship communications, and/or event scripting.
• Experience managing vendors, designers, or media partners.
• Knowledge of fundraising communications and strategies that support advancement goals.
• Bilingual and able to read, write, and speak Spanish, or other languages, proficiently

Additional Information:

Salary: Salary is determined based on experience, internal equity and college budget. This position has a range of $65,000 to $75,000 and is based on these mentioned factors.

Working Environment:

• The MCC Foundation is located at 321 State Street, Rochester, New York.
• This position is highly mobile within the Rochester region and requires reliable personal transportation.
• This position functions primarily during normal business hours, with occasional evening and weekend activities.
• In addition, travel outside the immediate Rochester area for prospect visits should be expected.

MCC offers a Flexible Work Policy for benefit eligible employees. Types of flexible work arrangements include flextime/staggered shifts, remote work/telecommuting and compressed work schedule. The availability of flexible work arrangements varies by division, department, and position, based upon business and operational needs. Limitations to flexible work arrangements are outlined in the official policy.

Prohibition of Remote Work Outside New York State: Remote work locations outside New York State are not authorized by the College due to out-of-state tax and regulatory implications. In limited circumstances, prompted by business or operational needs, the College may approve requests to work remotely outside of New York State, on a short term, temporary basis.

Monroe Community College prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, familial status, gender identity or expression, age, genetic information, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, domestic violence, victim status, criminal conviction, or any other characteristic or status protected by state or federal laws or College policy in admissions, employment, and treatment of students and employees, or in any aspect of the business of the College.

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Application Instructions:

Interested applicants must apply online

Applicants MUST submit the following documents* to be considered for this position:

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter

• Official transcripts will be required upon employment. Applicants with foreign degrees must submit a completed credential evaluation comparing your foreign academic accomplishments to standards in the U.S

Please note: As part of the application process all applicants will be asked to provide the contact information for 3 professional references. References will only be contacted after interviews have occurred and only for applicants who are considered as finalists for the opportunity they applied to.