Manager, Philanthropic Communications

This role serves as the communications lead for Brock VHS Development & Alumni Relations team translating complex academic clinical and philanthropic initiatives into compelling visually polished materials across platforms. The position focuses on developing communication plans designing donor facing assets supporting stewardship efforts maintaining philanthropic web and newsletter content and ensuring Brock VHS philanthropy is consistently represented in the digital space. With the support of modern AI enabled tools this position emphasizes communications strategy presentation and execution rather than traditional long-form writing alone.

• Develop and maintain a consistent philanthropic voice and messaging framework in translating complex academic clinical and philanthropic priorities into clear compelling communications that resonate with donors trustees and external stakeholders. Creates strategic communication plans that support fundraising initiatives campaigns and engagement an AI enabled environment the position emphasizes communications strategy refinement and execution ensuring messaging is accurate donor-centered and aligned with institutional priorities.
• Responsible for producing high-quality donor-facing materials that advance philanthropic goals and strengthen stewardship. Works closely with development and stewardship teams to develop impact and stewardship reports proposals cases for support donor briefings and tailored campaign collaterals ensuring that final materials are persuasive visually polished and aligned with Brock VHS and ODU branding standards.
• Leads the development of executive-level presentations and professionally designed materials for donor trustee alumni and leadership audiences. This includes creating and refining PowerPoint presentations one-pagers brochures and other high-impact communication tools that clearly convey strategic priorities and philanthropic opportunities. The role applies strong visual judgement and design sensibility to ensure communications are well-structured engaging and reflective of institutional excellence.
• Manages day-to-day coordination of website content ensuring information remains current accurate and aligned with development messaging. The position provides philanthropic web content in near-final form including text images and layout direction for submission through ODUs centralized IT and web ticketing process. While the role does not involve code or direct site development it is accountable for content readiness quality control and timely updates related to donor engagement philanthropic messaging announcements and fundraising priorities.
• Supports digital engagement efforts by coordinating social media content and departmental communications that elevate donor impact and institutional momentum. Contributes to the planning and production of the Community Focus newsletter digital updates and targeted outreach that keep donors and stakeholders informed and connected. Collaborates with university communications partners to amplify major announcements stewardship stories and strategic initiatives across appropriate digital channels.
• Partners across Development faculty leadership ODU communications and marketing and IT teams to ensure communication projects are delivered on time and at a consistently high standard. Manages multiple priorities simultaneously manages organized archives of templates and key messaging and provides quality control across donor-facing materials. Through strong coordination and attention to detail the position ensures communications reflect professionalism institutional alignment and donor-centered excellence.

Minimum Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelors degree in communications marketing public relations digital media journalism design or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience in communications marketing advancement communications or digital engagement.

• Ability to translate complex subject matter into seventh grade level messaging.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office particularly PowerPoint and Adobe Creative Suite Canva or like platform.

• Working knowledge of website content coordination including preparing content for submission through centralized IT/web processes.

• Familiarity with digital communications channels including social media and email/newsletter communications.

• Strong organizational skills attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

• Comfort using AI-enabled tools to support communications development editing and production.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced training or coursework in digital communications graphic design marketing or related areas is preferred.

• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in communications advancement communications digital engagement or related work.

• Prior experience in a complex mission-driven organization such as higher education academic medicine or healthcare is strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated strength in visual storytelling design and formatting of executive-level communications materials.

• Proficiency with design and layout tools such as Adobe Creative Suite Canva or similar platforms.

• Familiarity with brand standards and ensuring communications are compliant with institutional messaging and visual identity guidelines.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced highly collaborative environment with senior leadership and external stakeholders.

• Experience coordinating website updates within a centralized web governance structure.