The Donor Relations Specialist provides strategic, well-written, and creative, communications to support fundraising and stewardship efforts for Pepperdine University and its advancement staff. This role will carry out research and fact-checking assignments to ensure communications for print and digital resources are accurate, reflect the University’s strategic priorities, align with our University marketing brand experience, and support the mission of Pepperdine and the students we serve. Communications to include fundraising brochures on a variety of initiatives across all five schools, event invitations, and stewardship pieces, representing the University’s highest standards.

Duties

• Collaborate with the donor relations and communications team, fundraising colleagues across the University to research and write fundraising collateral, letters of inquiry, cover letters, and supplementary narratives used by leadership and major gift officers.
• Manage promotional, marketing, and fundraising projects through Work Front and other University platforms in partnership with advancement liaisons, alumni affairs, and academic program leaders across the schools, ensuring approvals at all levels.
• Compose and edit donor and alumni bios, and other communication elements for special events, including fundraising dinners, graduations, dedications, and other University programs.
• Support the stewardship team by helping to compose impact reports for annual stewardship communications.
• Support the Advancement Communications Specialist in composing and producing custom thank-you letters for significant gifts on behalf of the president and vice president for advancement and chief development officer. 
• Produce and manage content for the Advancement section of the University website, particularly human-interest stories that involve interviewing students, faculty, alumni, and/or donors.
• Perform other duties as assigned. 
• Uphold University mission through work performed.

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Skills and Qualifications

Required: Bachelor's degree; 3–5 years of communications and marketing experience. Superior written and oral communications skills in creative writing, marketing, and/or public relations; strong independent judgment.

Preferred: Degree in journalism, English, communications, or marketing/public relations; experience in an educational or nonprofit setting; has had original work published for an external audience Use of fundraising software, e.g. Raiser's Edge; aptitude with word processing and presentation software for PC and Mac, knowledge of Workfront marketing program and Marketing Cloud, knowledge of Adobe creative applications, e.g. InCopy and InDesign; understanding of web, multimedia, and social media technologies and trends

Qualified individuals should be able to articulate a strong commitment to diversity, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. The University conducts such screenings in compliance with applicable laws and with the objectives of evaluating risk and supporting a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests; safeguarding key University assets including people, property, information, and the University’s reputation; and providing comprehensive job-related information to University leaders to enable them to make prudent hiring decisions. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.

This is a Restricted, Nonexempt, 40 hour per week position.

Expected Pay Range: $21.62 - $24.03 per hour 

The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this position at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level. In addition to base pay, Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.