Hiring Department
Advancement
Job Description
Advancement | University of Missouri
Mizzou Advancement seeks a strategic marketing and communications leader to drive a comprehensive and collaborative strategy that fuels philanthropic growth and deepens alumni engagement. This role leads a seasoned, award-winning, and results-driven team responsible for delivering compelling, high-impact work that inspires action and strengthens internal and external connections to Mizzou.
Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor, Donor Engagement, the director serves as a critical bridge between Advancement and the university’s Division of Marketing and Communications, elevating storytelling and messaging that inspire philanthropic support for Mizzou locally, nationally and globally.
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Key Areas of Impact
• Advancement Ambassador
Build partnerships with communicators in schools, colleges and administrative units to strengthen the understanding of philanthropy’s impact. Provide guidance, tools, results and messaging strategies that help units connect their stories, priorities and success to donor engagement and philanthropic support opportunities.
• Chief Storyteller
Lead the creative team in identifying, developing and elevating bold and authentic stories of impact that inspire alumni and donors to deepen their connection and investment in Mizzou’s future.
• Executive Editor, MIZZOU Magazine
Serve as a strategic partner to the magazine editor, aligning content with advancement and alumni relations priorities and ensuring consistent, high-impact storytelling for alumni and donor audiences.
- Executive & Strategic Communications
Advise advancement and university leadership on alumni and donor communications strategies, positioning opportunities that strengthen engagement and philanthropic support. - Campaign Branding
Champion the university-wide adoption of Power the Roar campaign branding, driving consistency through oversight of templates, key messaging and design execution developed by the team.
What You’ll Do
Strategic Marketing & Communications
- Oversee design and execution of integrated communication strategies
- Use data and insights to measure performance, refine approach and drive continuous improvement
- Collaborate closely with the Division of Marketing and Communications to ensure alignment with institutional brand standards and messaging and serve as a strategic partner to maintain consistency and maximize impact across university initiatives
Leadership & Collaboration - Serve as Advancement’s communications expert and trusted advisor to the vice chancellor and leadership team
- Direct development of messaging, speeches, presentations, news stories and digital content, including social media and web content
- Represent Advancement on university-wide committees and initiatives
Public Relations - Identify and advance opportunities to elevate Advancement’s visibility and impact
- Partner with Mizzou’s News and Information, Media Relations and Public Affairs, and Social teams, as well as with units across the Mizzou campus, to amplify reach
Team Management - Lead and mentor the creative team manager, the project manager and MIZZOU Magazine editor
- Guide prioritization, timelines and resource allocation to ensure high impact delivery
- Foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement
Brand Stewardship - Champion alignment with university standards for print, digital, video, photography and environmental design, ensuring a cohesive and powerful brand presence
Shift
M-F 8am-5pm
Minimum Qualifications
A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 7 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary
Preferred Qualifications
- Exceptional writing and editing skills with the ability to simplify complex ideas
- Demonstrated success in leading and mentoring a team
- Experience working in a complex organization and ensuring deadlines are met
- Proven success leading strategic communications that drive measurable results
- Strong interpersonal skills with experience engaging and influencing diverse audiences
- Expertise in digital communications, analytics, and emerging technologies
- Commitment to confidentiality, collaboration and professionalism
Anticipated Hiring Range
Salary Range: $120,000.00-$127,000.00 annually
Grade: GGS-14
University Title: Director II Strategic Communications
Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.
Application Materials
Resume and Cover Letter
Sponsorship Information
Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Other Information
As one of Missouri’s largest employers, MU staff members enjoy exceptionally competitive health, PTO and retirement plans. A few highlights:
- Health Insurance -Three plans to choose from, including our Custom Network Plan; a cost-effective insurance option that utilizes our extensive network of MU-affiliated hospitals, clinics and pharmacies.
- HSA - UM provides between $400 - $1200 in contributions to health savings accounts, depending on plans and dependents
- Dental - 100% coverage for preventative care, with no restrictions on network or non-network providers
- Vision - $0 copays on frames and contact lenses along with a $140 allowance, and a $10 copay on yearly eye exams.
- Retirement - UM will match 100% of up to 8% of eligible pay contributed to a 457(b), with a three-year vesting period on University contributions.
- Tuition Assistance - Up to 75% of tuition and supplemental fees waived for employees, and 50% waived for spouses and dependents
- Time Off – Personal time off (PTO) as well as 10 paid holidays.
- Winter Break - The university observes a paid holiday for the period between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Community Information
Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours’ drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County’s largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!
Benefit Eligibility
This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.
Benefit Eligibility
This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.
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