About the Opportunity
The Director of Communications plans and manages a comprehensive communications strategy for the philanthropic initiatives of the Office of Advancement and Chautauqua Institution, as well as the endowment stewardship and advocacy initiatives of the Chautauqua Foundation. The Director, working with members of the Advancement and Foundation teams and in close collaboration with and support of both the Marketing and Communication and IT teams, develops and manages the implementation of cohesive philanthropic messaging and support in alignment with the philanthropic priorities and marketing/branding objectives of the Institution.
Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Advancement, the Director serves both as an architect of fundraising communication strategy and a convener of ideas, needs, and priorities toward the creation and implementation of strategies, plans, and campaigns. The Director is a storyteller, planner, practitioner, and collaborator.
About the Office of Advancement
In 2023, the Advancement team raised over $36 million in annual and major gifts and pledges to support Institution programs, strategic initiatives, and capital projects. Chautauqua Foundation confirmed planned gift commitments exceeding $20 million, and the endowment now stands at more than $133 million with 850 individual funds. The Institution’s largest campaign to date, Boundless: A Campaign for Chautauqua, launched publicly on January 5, 2024, to raise $150 million. The Advancement Department works in close alignment with Marketing & Communications, Information Technology, and Project 360 – an interdepartmental team responsible for the development and implementation of a standardized, robust, versatile technology ecosystem and data governance program, creating a 360-degree view of each patron and supporting the 150 Forward Strategic Plan.
About Your Work
- Create and maintain communications infrastructure to support various areas of Advancement (Annual Giving, Capital Campaign, Planned Giving, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Stewardship and Events) and the Chautauqua Foundation.
- Work with colleagues to create the annual Advancement Communications plan and manage the production calendar.
- Integrate and automate website, email, social media, text, and other digital channels to build a digital-first fundraising brand, optimize online giving channels, and support overall goal achievement.
- Coordinate production of creative print campaigns and products.
- Optimize place-based giving opportunities, leveraging patron affinity for Chautauqua’s grounds, facilities, and surroundings.
- Implement segmentation in all messaging and campaigns.
- Leverage video storytelling for fundraising and stewardship.
- Create engaging social media posts and campaigns to promote increasing engagement with Advancement initiatives.
- Draft and edit correspondence and narratives to support campaigns.
- Surface and tell compelling stories to create compelling cases for support.
- Coordinate and manage content creation for annual giving, and Foundation reports.
- Anticipate or suggest communication needs and prioritize their completion.
- Solicit ideas and feedback from Advancement and Foundation colleagues, prioritizing completion needs.
- Ensure integration and alignment of Advancement and Foundation Communications with Institution brand strategy, messaging, and timelines.
- Share updates and information regularly to ensure the Advancement and Foundation teams know the status of initiatives and the overall Marketing and Communications strategy and vision.
About You
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, or related field and/or equivalent experience in marketing in the non-profit sector or marketing and sales in the for-profit sector.
Experience
- A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in strategic design and execution of a comprehensive communications strategy is required. Candidates with this experience with a non-profit organization for mission-driven advancement or fundraising initiatives are strongly preferred.
- Candidates with demonstrated experience using Marketing Cloud or Salesforce technologies to deliver communication strategies are preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Digital marketing and technology savvy with proven success and innovative techniques for communicating information to unique markets across web, email, search, and social channels.
- Adaptability and initiative to learn new technical skills, programs, and platforms independently.
Writing and editing skills with story-telling ability, keen attention to detail, strong judgment, and ability to communicate clearly and concisely on complex topics.
- Service orientation to support mission-driven advancement initiatives
- Social perceptiveness and understanding of people and markets, gauging reactions, and influencing behaviors, such as philanthropy.
- Active listening to understand information that has implications for decision-making.
- Logic and reasoning to understand data and metrics to measure ROI, extract relevant information, apply that information to effective enhancement on campaigns, and recommend strategies for successful social marketing.
- Project management capabilities to organize and navigate multiple projects, full cycle, simultaneously.
Relationship-building expertise to share information or provide marketing and content support across interworking groups. A consultative and collaborative approach to problem-resolution in teams.
About Your Work Location
This position is based at Chautauqua Institution's main campus in Southwestern New York (Chautauqua County) or the Institution’s Offices in Washington, DC. If based in the District, onsite work is required at the main campus during Chautauqua’s Summer Assembly (June – August), with travel to this location periodically as required by business needs. Occasional telecommuting is possible, but this is not a remote work position.
About Chautauqua Institution
Chautauqua Institution is a not-for-profit global convener of dialogue on the most significant issues of the day through engagement across four pillars of the arts, education, religion, and recreation. The Chautauqua community is located on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York State. It comes alive each summer with a unique mix of visual and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship/programs, and recreational activities. Chautauqua Institution owns and operates Chautauqua Hotel Company, a comprehensive hotel, food & beverage, conferencing, and events organization. The Institution’s office in Washington, DC, is strategically located for an ongoing role in the nation's cultural conversations.
Total Rewards for Our Talent
Compensation for this position starts at $105,000 - $120,000/annual in Chautauqua County. In this role, highly qualified candidates with more than five years of demonstrated experience in strategic design/execution of comprehensive communication plans specific to fundraising initiatives may earn up to $130,000/annual.
Chautauqua Institution’s competitive compensation and a benefits suite that includes a national health insurance network with Highmark, flexible spend (or health savings) account options, dental and vision insurance, complimentary life insurance, wellness incentives, and fitness options, an employee assistance program, and supplemental life insurance and long-term disability options. The Institution supports planning for retirement through a discretionary employer retirement plan contribution, which has recently been (10%) of gross compensation following a designated service period.
About the Referral Program
Chautauqua Institution’s Referral Bonus Program is a talent solution to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse workforce with all the skills and experience necessary to deliver on our goals and objectives. Chautauqua Institution will provide a $500 referral bonus (less taxes) for active employees referring a new candidate who is hired and remains employed for at least 90 days from the first physical date of work. In the case of seasonal positions working less than 6 months, the new candidate must remain actively employed for at least 30 days from the first physical date of work and until the closing date of the season. The closing date of the season is the last Sunday in August.
Discovering Your Chautauqua Experience
Our talent will engage with our mission, vision, and diverse communities in countless ways, and you are invited to immerse yourself in our programming as a gateway to this experience. Employees will receive a traditional Chautauqua gate pass, free of cost, which provides access to many of our programs at the Amphitheater. In addition to a traditional gate pass, employees and their families will receive full access to our current and historical programs online at CHQ Assembly.
Our Commitment to IDEA
Chautauqua Institution values Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) as a priority in our strategic plan, 150 Forward. One of our five core values is “The dignity and contributions of all people.” We are committed to creating conditions in which everyone feels that they can engage as full and valued participants in the Chautauqua experience. The Institution is an equal-opportunity employer committed to equitable and inclusive hiring practices. Applicants will not be discriminated against based on any status protected under federal, state, or local law. We especially welcome applications from those who can demonstrate experience, engagement, and professional expertise in IDEA.
Joining Our Talent Community
Join our talent community online at CHQ.org/employment. You are encouraged to learn more about Chautauqua Institution at CHQ.org and view the 150 Forward Strategic Plan at 150fwd.CHQ.org.
Required
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5 year(s): Strategic design and execution of a comprehensive communications strategy with a strong preference for candidates who have this experience with a non-profit organization and/or mission-driven advancement or fundraising initiatives.
Preferred
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Bachelors or better in Marketing or related field
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Bachelors or better in Journalism or related field
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Bachelors or better in Communication or related field
Preferred
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Writing
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Task Management
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Social Media
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Planning & Organizing
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Organization Strategies
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New Technologies
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Marketing
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Journalism/Media/News
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Goal Achievement
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Fundraising
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Donor Relations
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Community Building
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Content Strategy
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Content Management
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Communication
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Business Development
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Active Listening
Preferred
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Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
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Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
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Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking
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Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject
Preferred
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Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization
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Entrepreneurial Spirit: Inspired to perform well by an ability to drive new ventures within the business
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Goal Completion: Inspired to perform well by the completion of tasks
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Self-Starter: Inspired to perform without outside help