Southern Methodist University · 2 months ago
Assistant Director, Direct Marketing Solicitations (HR Title: Digital Marketing Specialist II)
Dallas, TX
Full-time
Onsite
Entry, Mid Level
2+ years expSouthern Methodist University is a prestigious institution serving diverse students and committed to academic freedom. The Assistant Director for Direct Marketing Solicitations will oversee and execute direct mail, email, social/digital, and stewardship strategies to enhance fundraising efforts and engagement with alumni and friends.
E-LearningEducationUniversities
Responsibilities
Collaborate with the Director to manage and execute detailed, highly-segmented multi-channel mail and email mass solicitation campaigns
Coordinate copy, data and assets for mail, email, social media, event registration and text channels
Manage layout, proofing and approval processes with AGAR, school/unit, and DEA marketing and communications teams
Execute and send solicitations via Salesforce Marketing cloud according to the marketing calendar
Work with vendors for mail process
Use event registration system to build and launch appropriate event registrations that include charitable giving opportunities as part of the registration process
Create requested online giving forms & source codes
Coordinate landing pages/web asset, as needed
Act as the primary point of contact for school and unit colleagues in need of services
Build annual timelines to ensure alignment with AGAR & DEA engagement and fundraising priorities
Manage day-to-day aspects of relationships with school/unit colleagues
Gather and prepare information from school/unit sources to enhance solicitation copy & support alignment with their areas' specific goals, calendars and priorities each year
Inform colleagues of university-wide priorities and solicitations in an effort to coordinate messages and audiences to reduce overlap
Work with Director to set mass marketing annual fundraising goals and metrics for each school/unit
Write or produce concise, coordinated content for select school-based mail, email, text and event registration efforts
Suggest content that integrates messages for social/digital channels, posting if needed
Collaborate with MarCom, schools/units, AGAR and outside vendors to ensure outbound content meets University style and standards
Provide design/content recommendations and feedback on theme, layouts and imagery
Work with the alumni data manager to develop accurately segmented prospect lists for mail solicitations, stewardship & event invites
Conduct extensive audits to ensure valid & accurate data upload
Conduct ongoing data quality checks and verify gifts and pledges from all channel efforts are properly coded and attributed to efforts
Run and archive regular activity reports to monitor results of all solicitation campaigns & present findings to stakeholders
Using data extensions in Salesforce Marketing Cloud, regularly audit journey performance and responses to optimize processes moving forward
Audit findings against YOY comparisons, using data analysis tools and reports to gain clear insight on donor behavior
Support the strategic development and execution of SFMC solicitation journeys
Use school/unit-specific activity to design and implement multi-channel engagement tactics that seamlessly integrate with current department's priorities
If needed, build and support crowdfunding initiatives using additional platform to aid specific fundraising plans/goals
Create and manage individual giving micro-sites, as needed, for specific school/unit designations
Produce regular progress reports for distribution to school and unit colleagues and DEA leadership, providing YOY analysis and suggesting options for further optimization that improves solicitation results and increases annual giving
Attend strategy sessions and data analytics meetings, benchmarking with colleagues for best practices and opportunities to optimize activity
Other duties as assigned, including supporting department colleagues with general solicitations, SMU Giving Day, stewardship and alumni engagement activity
Occasional evening and/or weekend work for signature alumni event weekends and SMU Giving Day is required
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree is required
A minimum of two years of work experience is required
Experience in direct marketing, annual giving, or sales is also required
Experience executing mass emails using large email automation platforms is required
Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to foster productive internal and external relationships
Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills, with an eye toward solicitation-focused copy for print, email and digital channels
Candidate must have strong proofreading and editing skills
Must have a strong focus on attention to detail and accuracy
Strong data auditing and analysis skills are essential
Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions
Must also have strong organizational, planning, and time management skills
Strong project management skills are essential
Candidate must have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook
Must also have a working knowledge of Adobe suite
Experience with CRM systems and data management is required
Preferred
A degree in Marketing, Communications, or Business is preferred
Experience in higher education or nonprofit fundraising is highly preferred
Experience executing print mail, point-of-sale and/or direct marketing campaigns desired
Blackbaud or Salesforce CRM is highly preferred
Salesforce Marketing Cloud, desired
Experience with project management software is a plus
Cvent or event registration software experience, desired
Benefits
SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits.
In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.
SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.
Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.
Company
Southern Methodist University
SMU is a distinguished center for teaching and research located near the heart of Dallas.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Southern Methodist University has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (51)
2024 (39)
2023 (35)
2022 (26)
2021 (17)
2020 (20)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$101.8MKey Investors
Phillips FoundationTexas Workforce CommisionMoody Foundation
2023-06-14Grant· $1.7M
2022-07-07Grant· $0.1M
2019-11-12Grant· $100M
Leadership Team
Lisa Nelson
Adjunct Professor
Michael Hites
Chief Information Officer
Recent News
2025-12-28
Dallas Innovates
2025-12-12
Dallas Morning News
2025-11-07
Company data provided by crunchbase