Assistant Director, Digital Engagement

At the University of Cincinnati Foundation, we commit ourselves to providing a place where everyone belongs. We care deeply about those in our community, while also taking care to nurture new relationships. We have the courage to dream big, drive excellence and uphold integrity in our work.

Structure

The Assistant Director, Digital Engagement for the University of Cincinnati Alumni Association (UCAA) is employed by the University of Cincinnati Foundation (UCF) and reports directly to the Director, Integrated Marketing, UCAA.

Focus

The UC Alumni Association, part of the UC Foundation, unites 360,000+ alumni worldwide, connecting them to our university and their fellow Bearcats. The Assistant Director, Digital Engagement leads the management and execution of the Alumni Association’s digital presence, with a primary focus on social media management and a broader emphasis on omnichannel marketing. This role oversees all social media platforms and content creation, while supporting websites and applications, and email marketing initiatives to strengthen alumni engagement. As part of the UCAA’s Annual Giving and Integrated Marketing team, the Assistant Director develops and implements a digital engagement strategy that drives alumni connection and philanthropic support. The ideal candidate is passionate about creating dynamic social media campaigns that drive alumni engagement and strengthen UCAA’s digital presence. This role requires a strong background in social media, complemented by experience in email marketing, website management, copywriting, strategic omnichannel marketing and an eye for brand storytelling and design.

Specific Duties

• Lead the development and execution of an engaging, high-volume social media strategy to boost brand visibility and impact
• • Create and implement a content marketing strategy for UCAA’s social media channels that connects with alumni, showcases the Alumni Association’s mission, and supports broader university and UC Foundation priorities — including storytelling, signature events, giving days, paid advertising initiatives and more.
  • Create, schedule and publish engaging content across all social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok) including photo, video, and other multimedia formats ensuring all assets are on brand and align with our voice.
  • Manage social media tools and platforms through Sprout Social for scheduling, listening and analytics.
  • Engage in two-way conversations, monitoring and responding to comments, messages and mentions to foster community engagement.
  • Leverage social media trends to gain traction and amplify audience base and identify relevant news and real-time opportunities to engage with UC alumni and constituents.
  • Work closely with internal and external partners including UC MarComm and UC Athletics communications to align social media strategies with broader omnichannel marketing campaigns.
  • Provide strategy and thought leadership in this area, offering innovative, creative methods, and staying up to date with social media trends, algorithm changes and best practices.
  • Update channels monthly, as needed, and participate in quarterly analytic reviews of social media channels.
  • Attend UCAA and related events/programs to capture content to be used primarily on digital platforms to increase alumni engagement.
  • Recruit and foster alumni ambassadors to serve as brand advocates and amplifiers; manage these alumni volunteers to further expand the reach of social media campaigns and increase awareness and overall engagement through a volunteer digital ambassador model for alumni.
• Participate in the management of the Alumni Association’s email operations
  • Serve as a central service for alumni association email development as it relates to email design and formatting.
  • Review and ensure UCAA and UC communications guidelines are being met and update emails before loading code into Blackbaud Internet Solutions (BBIS), proactively updating items that are not consistent with brand guidelines.
  • Support the HTML approval process for UCAA staff, including testing emails.
  • Write and edit copy for email marketing pieces to promote alumni and annual giving programs.
  • Coordinate and collaborate with UCAA and UC Foundation communications team on key initiatives regarding mass market outreach.
• Assist in managing the alumni and annual giving websites and digital applications
  • Serve as a content manager for UC Alumni Association websites (alumni.uc.edu and engage.uc.edu), editing pages using Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) and Blackbaud Internet Solutions (BBIS) content management systems.
  • Proactively review sites, using analytics as evidence, to ensure effective usability and maximum digital engagement.
  • Build event registration and information pages in support of all Alumni and Annual Giving programs.
  • Manage content on digital applications that support alumni engagement and annual giving initiatives.
  • Proactively partner with UC to develop dynamic webpages for UCAA’s signature events, programs and initiatives.
  • Participate and conduct the annual SEO audit for the Alumni Association’s website.
• Conduct quarterly reviews of the Alumni Association’s emails and website for inclusion in reports for AGIM leadership review in support of UCAA reporting.
• Record meaningful alumni interactions, engagement data and other information in Blackbaud CRM to ensure information is up-to-date and included in Alumni Association reporting and engagement metrics throughout the year.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with 1-3 years of social media and digital media and/or digital marketing experience.
• Hands-on experience creating content, monitoring social media feeds, creating ad campaigns, and/or interpreting analytics is required.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, with high attention to detail.
• Ability to successfully manage multiple priorities, produce quality work, and meet strict deadlines.
• Knowledge of html and website editing on a content management system (CMS) is preferred.
• Prior experience creating email marketing messages is preferred.
• A working knowledge of graphic design tools, such as Adobe Creative Suite and Canva, is desirable.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with internal and external partners.

What We Offer

The anticipated starting salary range for the Assistant Director, Digital Engagement, UCAA role is $50,000 to $60,000 annually. When determining final offer amount the UC Foundation considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, external market data, as well as, market and business considerations when making compensation decisions.

At the UC Foundation, we understand the importance of providing both a desirable work environment as well as benefits that provide our employee’s peace of mind and work/life balance. We offer a total rewards package inclusive of performance based bonus, as well as, competitive health and wellness benefits, tuition remission, retirement with employer match, paid parental leave, and paid vacation, sick time and holidays, including calendar year-end closing. To learn more, visit our careers page.

Physical Demands

This position is considered to have light work. Exerting up to 20lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. This position also requires:

• Reaching
• Lifting
• Finger use
• Talking
• Hearing
• Repetitive motion of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, this position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions (such as in typical office or administrative work).

Pre-Hire Requirements

The UC Foundation seeks talented, collaborative and mission-focused individuals to join our advancement team in driving philanthropic support for the University of Cincinnati and UC Health. All offers of full-time employment are contingent upon passing a criminal background check and drug test. Positions requiring a degree are also contingent upon education verification.

Education

Required

• Bachelors or better

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.