Advancement Communications Specialist

Full-time position - Posted 2/24/26

Position summary

We seek a dedicated and creative Advancement Communications Specialist to join the JBU University Advancement Team. The primary focus of this role is to help drive long-term engagement with major donors, alumni, parents, and friends of the university through the writing and coordination of effective print and digital communication campaigns. If you are a detail-oriented and innovative communicator passionate about Christian higher education, we invite you to join our team and help us advance our university's mission.

Role qualifications 

• Ability to maintain positive relationships with staff, faculty, students, and community
  
• Ability to articulate the benefits of a Christian college experience, including a clear and concise position on the issue of integration of faith, learning, and living Commitment to the Articles of Faith, mission, and objectives of the university
• Desire to be a role model for students by demonstrating an active Christian faith in personal example and work-related responsibilities.

Position responsibilities 

• Develop and oversee effective fundraising and event messaging using online and social media platforms, email, and print, targeting major donors, occasional donors, alumni, parents, and friends to increase gifts and the number of donors who participate.
• Write and manage the production of compelling alumni, parent, and fundraising communication and marketing materials independently and in collaboration with graphic designers, university leaders, and key stakeholders, personnel. This includes creating cohesive, multi-channel content, such as personal correspondence, presentations, newsletters, mailers, grant proposals, donor meeting materials, and digital communications (emails, social media, and website updates), while ensuring consistency with the university's brand and messaging standards.
• Create and implement video content and campaign strategies that align with major fundraising and donor stewardship initiatives, including personalized video content and tailored messages for specific donor segments.
• Create and execute video content that supports campaign objectives, fundraising efforts, alumni events, and donor stewardship strategies. Research and evaluate vendor opportunities to enhance video production and distribution capabilities. Video initiatives will include both personalized messages tailored to specific donor segments and broad-based content designed for mass engagement.
  
• Edit and proofread materials to maintain a high standard of accuracy, consistency, and professionalism. 
• Assist grant writers in drafting and editing proposals and stewardship reports.
• Monitor and report on the success of communication initiatives, using data to make informed decisions and optimize strategies. 
• Create and implement effective messaging for Annual Fund and Alumni and Parent Engagement initiatives through multiple communication channels.
• Support signature advancement events, including responsibilities that may occur outside of normal business hours.
  
• Act as liaison between Advancement and University Marketing & Communications on marketing projects and media releases. Attend a monthly UMC meeting.
  
• Stay updated with industry trends and best practices in advancement, fundraising communications, and email marketing.
  
• Identify, recruit, and leverage compelling stories of impact from alumni, students, and friends to utilize as impact stories and as digital influencers to engage them with the university and assist in meaningful ways.
  
• Provide clerical and administrative support, including invoice and payment processing.
  
• Other duties as assigned.
  
• Collaborate with the Advancement Services team to support list management for segmented messaging strategies.
  
• Manage communication timelines and project workflows for advancement initiatives to ensure deadlines, approvals, and production schedules are met.
  
• Coordinate with vendors, freelancers, and campus partners to support production needs related to advancement communications projects.
  
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Essential skills and experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, marketing, or a related field.
  
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading abilities with a keen eye for detail.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to work collaboratively and independently.
  
• Proven experience in communications, writing, or a related role, with a strong portfolio showcasing writing and content creation skills.
  
• Comfortable with various technology platforms (email, CMS, social media, Canva) and a demonstrated ability to quickly learn new software and tools.

Preferred skills and experience 

• Familiarity with fundraising and higher education environments.
• Photography skills to support content creation.
  
• Knowledgeable in the graphic design principles and experience in creating simple pieces with the assistance of design software such as Canva, InDesign, and others.

Education

Bachelor's degree required

Physical demands and work environment

Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to walk; stand; sit; use hands; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk and hear.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal.

The employee is expected to adhere to all University policies.

About JBU

Information describing the university is available online.

Apply

To apply, please upload the following documents to the "Upload Your Documents" page:

1. Cover Letter
2. Your resume
3. A completed and signed staff employment application (Click Here to Access the Application)

Only complete materials will be reviewed. Applicants selected for an interview will be contacted by the university.

Contact information:
Office of Human Resources
John Brown University
2000 West University Street
Siloam Springs, AR 72761
Phone: 479.524.7197
e-mail: jobs@jbu.edu