Associate Director of Donor Engagement and Communications - John Purdue Club

Working for the Purdue For Life Foundation offers a unique opportunity to be part of an organization dedicated to empowering Purdue University alumni and fostering a lifelong connection to the institution. By joining our team, you'll have the chance to contribute to a mission that supports educational initiatives, scholarships, and programs that positively impact the lives of Purdue students and graduates. The Foundation's commitment to education and community engagement provides a fulfilling work environment where you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and the broader community. Additionally, you'll have access to a network of passionate colleagues and the resources needed to drive positive change, making the Purdue For Life Foundation an inspiring and rewarding place to build your career. Your next giant leap starts here. Apply today!

Essential Functions

• Strategize with the Assistant Athletics Director - Development Operations on communication and marketing techniques to increase membership, retain existing membership, and determine solicitation calendar to effectively renew and grow the annual fund. 

• Execute marketing plans to drive donations and growth of the John Purdue Club annual fund in collaboration with the Assistant Athletics Director for Annual Giving and Premium Seating.

• Oversee the production of all communication materials representing fundraising opportunities within Intercollegiate Athletics on behalf of the John Purdue Club. 

• Manage and create all John Purdue Club communications, including regularly scheduled and periodic email messaging, as well as special events communications and social media outreach. 

• Oversee John Purdue Club emails, website, and social media communications, including the management and development of content for aforementioned platforms.

• Build and compose all John Purdue Club e-mails within Salesforce Marketing Cloud.

• Manage creative asset requests for all John Purdue Club communications within Purdue Athletics. 

• Compose and/or edit personalized thank you letters/notes for major donors, annual giving donors, premium seat holders, and Varsity P members. 

• Coordinate and manage processes to design, develop, and produce publications, brochures, mailings, letters, stewardship materials, press releases and speeches related to the mission of the John Purdue Club using appropriate communication channels and technologies. 

• Initiate, edit, and manage content creation for the John Purdue Club website, creating blogs, interactive student-athlete stories, and donor profiles. 

• Coordinate activities of writers (freelance or internal staff) assigned to assist with John Purdue Club communication projects including web content and electronic media. 

• Oversee communication and marketing calendar for the John Purdue Club and coordinate with Purdue Athletics department-wide communication calendar. 

• Execute strategy to ensure there is ROI on all communications targeting major gift fundraising, premium seating, annual giving, and events. 

• Assist with major gift proposals for the John Purdue Club. 

• Identify new marketing strategies for the John Purdue Club. 

• Compose and/or edit development correspondence for the Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and John Purdue Club staff. 

• Initiate and compose donor stewardship stories for publication on the John Purdue Club website, social media channels, and publications, by identifying appropriate members to feature and interviewing them for the story production.

• Compose appropriate correspondence for all donor inquiries/expressed concerns discussed as a John Purdue Club staff in an effort to resolve issues and encourage ongoing participation by the donor.

• Work in collaboration with the Strategic Communications and Marketing teams for Purdue Athletics as well as the Purdue for Life MarCom team for messaging and branding purposes. 

• Review, proof, and edit all communications materials for clarity, accuracy, and readability. 

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Excellent written/verbal communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

• Ability to think strategically.

• Knowledge of MS Office, including Word and Excel.

• Team building and customer service skills.

• Ability to work with diverse groups.

• Ability to represent Purdue for Life Foundation, the John Purdue Club Purdue Athletics, and the University with tact and diplomacy.

• Ability to be creative, accurate, and sensitive and to work with confidential information and make sound judgments.

• Ability to identify and determine problems, analyze information and implement solutions.

• Ability to work independently and contribute to a team environment.

Required Education/Experience and Benefits

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• Minimum of three years of experience in marketing and/or communications required.

• Experience in athletics marketing and communications strongly preferred.  

Benefits Summary for eligible employees:

• 10 paid holidays per year.

• Accrue up to 22 vacation days a year.

• Traditional pre-tax 403(b) and Roth retirement plans available.

• 10% employer contribution to your retirement plan and immediate vesting.

• Health Savings Account- earn up to $450 annually towards medical expenses.

• Employer funded Preventative Dental and Vision insurance. 

• Tuition discounts on eligible programs at Purdue University and Purdue Global for qualified employees, spouses, and dependents.

About Purdue for Life Foundation

The Purdue for Life Foundation is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Purdue for Life views, evaluates, and treats all persons in all Foundation-related activities solely as individuals on the basis of their own personal abilities, qualifications, and other relevant characteristics.  All qualified applicants for employment will receive consideration without regard to race, religion, color, gender, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran.

Purdue for Life will not sponsor employment authorization for this position.

A criminal conviction check and negative controlled substance test are required for employment in this position.