Location: Washington,DC, USA
American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University
Department:
WAMU Branding and Audience Development
Time Type:
Full time
Work Modality:
Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)
Union:
Excluded
Job Description:
Summary:
WAMU 88.5 is a public media station owned and operated by American University. WAMU is the source for local, regional and NPR news and original programs in Washington DC. Since 1961, WAMU has been amplifying voices and sharing stories from the many neighborhoods and communities in the District of Colombia, Maryland and Virginia. The Assistant Director uses a creative, entrepreneurial, and results-oriented approach to fundraising efforts to implement strategies that will advance listener involvement - to convert new and reacquire lapsed donors, boost sustainer participation, upgrade previous giving amounts, and grow annual revenue to sustain the organization.
This position directly supports the Senior Director, Branding and Audience Engagement and primarily manages on-air and direct mail fundraising as well as serving as the main liaison for advancement with programming, production, and web staff related to campaigns.
Essential Functions:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
1.) On-Air Fundraising
* In coordination with the Senior Director, Branding and Audience Engagement, manage all aspects of on-air fundraising to support the strategy for achieving goals both financial and participatory including on-air campaigns, fundraising audio promotions and spots, and the station's year-round membership on-air presence for all WAMU services and platforms.
* Work collaboratively with station leadership, other members of marketing, and the wider Advancement team to develop strong and evolving strategies, messaging, and live-read/pitch scripts for each campaign effort, as well as amplify fundraising themes during non-campaign times.
* Ensure strong execution of host, producer, and tallier scheduling during campaigns; overall and daily strategies; timing and promotions of challenges, stunts and tactics; and thank you gift strategy, design, and fulfillment.
* Serve as lead producer for on-air campaigns, assist in managing and preparing talent and other producers, and make staff at all levels aware of the campaign and how it may impact them.
* Collaborate with the Digital Fundraising Manager to ensure marketing and fundraising messaging is integrated and executed timely and correctly across all platforms: broadcast, email, social media, direct mail, website banners, advertising and others.
* Manage listener and donor testimonial production, including collaborating with the rest of Advancement team to identify potential listeners and donors for new spots.
* Serve as the main liaison with content, products, and other marketing and advancement staff to ensure that campaigns are fully maximized, and campaign activity is also in line with the overall station approach to its content.
* Develop and implement on-air campaign training for pitchers, producers, and talliers, including preparation of scripts, scheduling studio and staff volunteers, and encouraging new/strengthening current campaign pitchers.
* Maintain reporting on these efforts to support the Senior Director and Senior Management in strategic planning, assessment, and budgeting.
2.) Direct Mail Fundraising
* Support the Senior Director in developing the annual direct mail strategy - including cadence, messaging, audience, and budget - that meet the department goals for revenue and engagement.
* Write all direct mail solicitations.
* Develop creative guidelines and work with graphic designer and/or external mail house for solicitation design, production, proofing, and mailing.
* Coordinate with other members of marketing team to gather design and photography assets for use in mailings.
* Manage creation of segments and source codes for mailing with development operations team.
* Create vanity URL's, QR codes, and other digital requirements for direct mail pieces in coordination with members of the product and marketing teams.
* Maintain reporting on direct mail efforts to inform the decisions made by the Senior Director and Senior Management in strategic planning, assessment, and budgeting.
3.) Other
* Coordinate providing impact or other information to the Combined Federal Campaign, World Bank and any other third-party unrestricted fundraising program.
* Ensure fundraising audio promotions are consistently refreshed on-air, within the NPR app, and any other new platforms.
* Innovate strategically and stay up to date on established best practices in public media, ensuring successful implementation of techniques designed to maximize revenue.
* Manage projects utilizing current database system (ROI), online fundraising tool (Engaging Networks) or similar, to capitalize on system and digital tools for effective fundraising.
* Other duties as assigned.
Competencies:
* Championing Customer Needs.
* Evaluating and Implementing Ideas.
* Developing Plans.
* Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions.
* Building and Supporting Teams.
* Managing Talent.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
* Full time.
* 35 hours per week.
* This position operates with minimal supervision, and frequently requires evening and weekend shifts.
Salary Range:
* $77,000 - $87,000 annually.
Required Education and Experience:
* Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
* 4-6 years of relevant experience in public broadcasting fundraising or in a related area.
* Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and manage fundraising initiatives.
* Understanding of public broadcasting fundraising concepts, practices, and procedures.
* Possess a complete understanding of mechanics and philosophy of membership fundraising including membership campaign production, year-round positioning announcements major donor spots, planned giving spots, and other membership activities.
* Demonstrated experience in on-air fundraising and other membership campaigns.
* Experience with public radio/public TV on-air talent.
* Demonstrated technical, broadcast production and editing experience.
* Demonstrated computer skills and database management experience.
* Demonstrated ability to work with others in developing, planning and implementing interdepartmental goals and strategies.
* Demonstrated written and oral communication skills as well as customer service savvy.
* Must be able to push, pull, lift and move objects up to 50 pounds.
Preferred Education and Experience:
* Bachelor's degree in communication or related field.
* 5-8 years of relevant experience.
Benefits
AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.
Other Details
* Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
* Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.
* Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
* American University is an E-Verify employer.
Current American University Employees
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Contact Us
For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email ...@american.edu.
American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual's genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively Protected Bases ) in its programs and activities.