Job Details
Sr. Director-Strategic Advancement Communications
2026-01-15 Yale University all cities,AK
Description:
Weekends Required: Occasionally
Nights/Evenings Required: Occasionally
Required Skills and Abilities
Required Skill/Ability 1:
Demonstrated supervision and management skills. Ability to work in a team-based environment, and have the ability to direct and motivate staff and volunteers.
Required Skill/Ability 2:
Demonstrated success in developing and executing strategic advancement communications materials.
Required Skill/Ability 3:
Excellent communication, interpersonal, presentation, and organizational skills; commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Required Skill/Ability 4:
Strong computer software skills including MS Office, Excel, PowerPoint, Canva, databases and networked information systems.
Required Skill/Ability 5:
Ability and willingness to travel, and work some weekends and evenings as needed.
Preferred Skills and Abilities
Proven experience in a complex, matrixed university setting working with alumni and donors. Familiarity with Yale University. Ten years of experience.
Principal Responsibilities
1) Manage a team of communication professionals; responsible for developing staff.
2) Manage relationships with key stakeholders with a high degree of professionalism, judgment, and understanding of stakeholder goals.
3) Oversee design and manage communication plans for stakeholders by understanding the significance of initiatives, administrative and departmental priorities.
4) Ensure organizational effectiveness of administration through short-term and long-range communication planning with insight into audiences, channels, and culture; coordinate with other professionals to achieve institutional goals.
5) Lead planning activities with clients and partners; lead communication process within developed standards and protocol.
6) Create and edit compelling stories; oversee and create content for internal and external channels.
7) Analyze and understand various communication preferences to promote initiatives; create, evaluate, analyze reports based on metrics.
8) Manage multimedia content including video, graphic, web, and photography.
9) Provide guidance and support for departmental projects and services.
Required Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in Communications, English, Journalism or related field and six years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Job Posting Date
10/06/2025
Job Category
Manager
Bargaining Unit
NON
Compensation Grade
Administration & Operations
Compensation Grade Profile
Manager; Program Leader (M6)
Time Type
Full time
Duration Type
Staff
Work Model
Hybrid
Location
157 Church Street, New Haven, Connecticut
Background Check Requirements
All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.
Health Requirements
Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.
Posting Disclaimer
Salary offers are determined by a candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role's grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department.
The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual's sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.
Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).
Note
Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.
Working at Yale means contributing to a better tomorrow. Whether you are a current resident of our New Haven-based community- eligible for opportunities through the New Haven Hiring Initiative or a newcomer, interested in exploring all that Yale has to offer, your talents and contributions are welcome. Discover your opportunities at Yale!
Salary Range
$90,000.00 - $165,750.00
Overview
Position Focus:
The Senior Director of Strategic Advancement Communications is a member of Yale Law School's Alumni Engagement and Development (AED) team and oversees all communications in support of alumni engagement, volunteer engagement, donor engagement, recognition, and fundraising. The Senior Director will plan and execute communication strategies and produce messaging and materials that accelerate engagement and giving using print, digital, and social platforms. The Senior Director will have a demonstrated ability to effectively harness multichannel alumni communications; produce persuasive content; manage short and long-term projects; collaborate successfully with colleagues and stakeholders; mentor staff; meet goals and deadlines; and ensure the accuracy of all alumni communications. The Senior Director reports to the Executive Director for Advancement Services.
The Senior Director will:
- Oversee all communications for alumni events and meetings including print/digital invitations/reminders, programs, remarks, signage, marketing and meeting materials, and follow-up communications; serve as point of contact for post-event alumni and donor event photography/video.
- Collaborate with the Associate Dean, ED for Advancement Services, gift officers, and faculty leaders to develop and articulate a case for support and investment for funding needs. The Senior Director is responsible for writing and translating content into functional materials for fundraising, including proposals, white papers, marketing brochures, appeals, and web content.
- Manage Associate Director; develop annual performance goals and performance metrics for team. Provide regular performance feedback.
- Serve as communications partner and resource to the stewardship team for recurring messaging; provide support of weekly gift acknowledgement letter process, monthly birthday wishes, custom messaging on behalf of dean/assoc. dean, and annual financial/narrative reporting templates.
- Implement an AED-wide system and calendar to coordinate the development and distribution of content and materials for our donors, prospects, and alumni.
- Oversee the development and production of communications for the volunteer engagement team such as membership directories, bios, and meeting materials.
- Serve as liaison with outside communications partners.
- Lead project management of the annual donor report; develop messaging strategy, identify stories for inclusion and provide feedback on drafts.
- Serve as AED point person for Office of Public Affairs to coordinate targeted publications, message and brand. Partner with OPA on strategies to leverage the YLS website to reach and engage our graduates and donors, overseeing creation and ongoing management of content to advance AED goals.
- Stay abreast of initiatives and activities at the school on an ongoing basis in order to provide content ideas for fundraising, engagement, and stewardship projects.
- Work with the AED leadership to identify strategic alumni communication needs and ensure the integration of communications efforts across the office; lead the development of a comprehensive strategic communications plan for AED, and the production of accurate, high- quality deliverables including marketing, solicitation, stewardship, and engagement materials.
- In partnership with the Executive Director of Advancement Services, participate in the development and implementation of a comprehensive, tiered strategy stewarding Yale Law School donors at all giving levels including reports, donor societies, individual stewardship plans, bespoke donor recognition opportunities, correspondence with donors, events, and other mechanisms that demonstrate the impact of donor contributions.
Weekends Required: Occasionally
Nights/Evenings Required: Occasionally
Required Skills and Abilities
Required Skill/Ability 1:
Demonstrated supervision and management skills. Ability to work in a team-based environment, and have the ability to direct and motivate staff and volunteers.
Required Skill/Ability 2:
Demonstrated success in developing and executing strategic advancement communications materials.
Required Skill/Ability 3:
Excellent communication, interpersonal, presentation, and organizational skills; commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Required Skill/Ability 4:
Strong computer software skills including MS Office, Excel, PowerPoint, Canva, databases and networked information systems.
Required Skill/Ability 5:
Ability and willingness to travel, and work some weekends and evenings as needed.
Preferred Skills and Abilities
Proven experience in a complex, matrixed university setting working with alumni and donors. Familiarity with Yale University. Ten years of experience.
Principal Responsibilities
1) Manage a team of communication professionals; responsible for developing staff.
2) Manage relationships with key stakeholders with a high degree of professionalism, judgment, and understanding of stakeholder goals.
3) Oversee design and manage communication plans for stakeholders by understanding the significance of initiatives, administrative and departmental priorities.
4) Ensure organizational effectiveness of administration through short-term and long-range communication planning with insight into audiences, channels, and culture; coordinate with other professionals to achieve institutional goals.
5) Lead planning activities with clients and partners; lead communication process within developed standards and protocol.
6) Create and edit compelling stories; oversee and create content for internal and external channels.
7) Analyze and understand various communication preferences to promote initiatives; create, evaluate, analyze reports based on metrics.
8) Manage multimedia content including video, graphic, web, and photography.
9) Provide guidance and support for departmental projects and services.
Required Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in Communications, English, Journalism or related field and six years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Job Posting Date
10/06/2025
Job Category
Manager
Bargaining Unit
NON
Compensation Grade
Administration & Operations
Compensation Grade Profile
Manager; Program Leader (M6)
Time Type
Full time
Duration Type
Staff
Work Model
Hybrid
Location
157 Church Street, New Haven, Connecticut
Background Check Requirements
All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.
Health Requirements
Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.
Posting Disclaimer
Salary offers are determined by a candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role's grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department.
The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual's sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.
Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).
Note
Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.