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Inside Higher Ed · 1 month ago

Senior Executive Director, Campaign Content and Creative

Los Angeles, CA

Full-time

Hybrid

Director/Executive

15+ years exp

Inside Higher Ed is seeking a Senior Executive Director, Campaign Content and Creative, who will play a critical role in elevating donor communications at UCLA. This senior-most leader will oversee campaign-related efforts and evergreen philanthropic communications, shaping the institution's vision and engagement strategies.

Digital MediaEducationHigher EducationJournalismRecruiting

Responsibilities

Oversee storytelling and engagement initiatives that elevate donor experience, support major gift activity, and advance philanthropic priorities year-round

Evolve our strategy, galvanize cross-function teams, and deliver a new, scalable engagement model that reflects the excellence and inclusivity of UCLA as we prepare for our next campaign and beyond

Shape how UCLA articulates its vision, earns trust, and inspires transformational investment from the communities it serves

Qualification

Development marketingCampaign communicationsBrand strategyConstituent management systemsDigital marketingProject managementLeadership skillsAnalytical skillsEmpathyInterpersonal skillsCommunication skills

Required

15+ years of progressively responsible experience managing programs in development marketing, brand strategy, or campaign communications—preferably in higher education or mission-driven institutions

Prior experience with and ability to identify and apply current and emerging marketing trends and practices, preferably in the advancement field, including new and emerging strategies and technologies—such as AI-powered tools—to improve team effectiveness, donor engagement, and communications outcomes

Strong experience managing staff with demonstrated leadership abilities that foster learning and excellence among team members; supervisory skills to recruit, train, organize, direct, guide, motivate, monitor and evaluate staff to produce high quality work; skill to take corrective action as required

Experienced in navigating matrixed environments—diplomatic with exceptional ability to motivate, manage and influence without formal authority, align diverse teams around shared goals, and build coalitions across central and unit-based stakeholders

Experience with and strong understanding of constituent management systems and platforms (e.g., Blackbaud CRM and Salesforce Marketing Cloud) and their impact in fundraising and donor engagement

Advanced ability to conceive, implement and evaluate strategic programs to achieve established goals

Highly developed managerial and leadership skills with demonstrated ability to independently lead integrated functional teams, ideally in a decentralized, complex organization

Deep understanding of campaign planning cycles and the role of storytelling, stewardship, and donor engagement in philanthropy

Demonstrated ability to use strategies and tools to move public opinion, encourage stakeholder involvement and support, increase donor support and establish brand preference and choice

Skilled in project management, resource prioritization, and managing high-volume creative output across platforms

Fluency in digital marketing and constituent relationship management to guide content strategy and measurement, including audience segmentation, performance analysis, and marketing automation

Ability to handle information with sensitivity, discretion and solid judgment

Exceptional written, verbal communication and interpersonal skills; political acumen to communicate and collaborate with a wide variety of professionals

Highly advanced research, analytical and problem-solving skills

Advanced knowledge of UCLA, including its achievements, mission, goals, vision, infrastructure, products and services

Ability to lead with empathy, build trust across functions and disciplines

Comfortable managing ambiguity while driving toward clarity and execution. Knowledge of the role of public universities in driving societal impact

Ability to work evenings and/or weekends as needed

Preferred

Bachelor's Degree in marketing, communications or related field

Benefits

UCLA provides a full pay range.

Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.