Northwestern University · 22 hours ago
Associate Director, Digital Communications
Evanston, IL
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level, Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
$75K/yr - $80K/yrNorthwestern University is seeking an Associate Director for Digital Communications to manage and oversee the web marketing program for Alumni Relations and Development. This role involves leading web marketing strategies, managing web projects, and ensuring engaging content on ARD's digital platforms.
EdTechEducationTrainingUniversities
Responsibilities
Collaborate with Marketing and Communications team and internal clients on developing strategies and creative approaches for digital communications
Edit and approve outgoing emails and newsletters to alumni and donor audiences for accuracy, best practices, and adherence to established policies, strategy, and compliance with University guidelines
Manage the broadcast email calendar to ensure consistency in communication volume
Become versed in building and deploying special messages and an HTML-based alumni newsletter
Work with Marketing and Communications team members to establish project timelines and defined, metrics-based goals
Project lead web-based projects, proactively communicating progress with ARD partners and delivering project components on time
Build and maintain strong partnerships with stakeholders throughout the ARD and across the University, including schools and units
Co-manage website content for all digital properties owned and used by ARD, including alumni.northwestern.edu, giving.northwestern.edu, law.alumni.northwestern.edu, events.ard.northwestern.edu, and our.northwestern.edu
Work with vendors on third-party sites supporting ARD initiatives, such as planned giving, mentorship, Learning for Life, and the Women’s board site, and lead the migration of the final site to the University enterprise CMS
Develop and continually update documentation of process guidelines and usage policies
Serve as a subject-matter expert on ARD’s use of its websites and related technologies, including providing occasional advanced support for staff and troubleshooting of landing pages, event registrations, and/or forms
Collaborate, build, and help maintain digital tools to assist ARD staff with communications such as generators for UTM code, email signatures, and our all-alumni newsletter Purple Line
Implement Google Tag Manager tags on our sites and ensure they are firing correctly
Support our custom web applications, including the Alumni-Owned Small Business Directory, Alumni Authors CATalogue, and several Homecoming and Reunion Weekend pages
Co-manage our Google Custom Search, ensuring our signature events and giving initiatives are prioritized for users
Support marketing content updates to the alumni portal, Our Northwestern, and develop communication strategies to promote the portal to alumni
Lead occasional ARD-specific training on Cascade CMS as supplement to the University-led training, and support staff as they navigate updating pages related to their teams and initiatives
Measure, track, and report the effectiveness of web communications, such as lightboxes on websites, and develop actionable best practices for improving performance
Create and follow goals within Google Analytics, such as users making a gift or submitting a form
Manage and monitor Google Analytics and work alongside our senior business data analyst on monthly website reports for internal partners toward the goal of continual growth and adoption
Develop data-gathering best practices for web-based engagement, in relation to the University’s constituent database of record and products including Blackthorn for events and GiveCampus for giving
Performs other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as journalism, communications, marketing, or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience
Advance knowledge of a content management system, as well as email and event management tools
Analytic skills and ability to analyze and derive insight from data
Ability to use both data and experience-based intuition to inform decisions
Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively with others on a team
Exceptional attention to detail
Effective project management skills in a fast-paced environment
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Preferred
Expert HTML skills and intermediate or greater CSS3 skills
Several years of professional experience in digital marketing and communications, including website content management and email marketing
Master's degree in communications, marketing, or related field
Experience in higher education advancement or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired
Knowledge of JavaScript and/or Velocity programming languages, Cascade CMS, Marketing Cloud email, Blackthorn events, GiveCampus fundraising, and/or Salesforce Experience Cloud tools
Knowledge of editorial style guides such as Chicago Manual of Style or similar guide
Familiarity with Google Analytics 4, Google Tag Manager, and Google Custom Search
Prior use of Amazon Web Services' S3 bucket, GitHub, and Bit.ly for branded URLs and QR codes
Experience with constituent database management, with Salesforce-powered CRM as a bonus
Demonstrated expertise with code-based email building, including mobile and responsive design
Knowledge of current internet standards, including WCAG 2 compliance
Experience with landing page testing and optimization
Understanding of basic online marketing funnel and how channels work together including search and SEO, social, mobile, and content marketing
Benefits
Meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans
Retirement benefits
Tuition discounts
Comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities
Flexible work arrangements
Programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care
Employee career development
Variety of tools and resources
Company
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research and teaching university that offers academic programs across various fields of study. It is a sub-organization of Northwestern Athletics.
Founded in 1851
5001-10000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$98.02MKey Investors
National Peanut BoardAdvanced Research Projects Agency for HealthGRAMMY Museum
2024-10-30Grant
2024-10-04Grant· $34M
2023-11-28Grant· $0.02M
Leadership Team
Diego Klabjan
Professor
Henry Bienen
Interim President
Recent News
2026-01-25
Digital Journal
2026-01-23
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