Manager, Development Writing and Digital Engagement

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Are you a strategic storyteller who can connect visionary donors and engaged alumni with the ideas, research, and people shaping a better philanthropic future? UBC Faculty of Arts DAE is seeking a strategic communications leader to become our Manager, Development Writing and Digital Engagement.

This is more than a writing role. It is an opportunity to lead high-impact fundraising communications, inspire philanthropic investment, and create compelling digital experiences that strengthen lifelong relationships with one of Canada’s leading universities. Working closely with senior leadership, faculty partners, and communications professionals across UBC to develop persuasive proposals, inspiring stewardship reports, integrated campaigns, and innovative digital engagement strategies that help advance and contribute to an ambitious fundraising team that raises over $17M each year.  

We’re looking for a collaborative leader who combines exceptional, project management, writing talent with strategic thinking, creativity, and a passion for building meaningful connections. If you thrive in a dynamic environment, enjoy leading people and ideas, and believe that powerful storytelling can change lives, we’d love to hear from you.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. 

Job Summary
The UBC Faculty of Arts Development and Alumni Engagement team has a mission to inspire involvement and investment in UBC Faculty of Arts to drive innovation, further business knowledge and lead change for a better world. The development team is responsible for leveraging individual philanthropy and business partnerships in support of priority initiatives of the school.

Reporting to the Assistant Dean, Development and Alumni Engagement (DAE), the Manager, Development Writing and Digital Engagement is responsible for leading and developing integrated communications strategies and initiatives to advance and support UBC Faculty of Arts ambitious fundraising and alumni engagement objectives. The Manager connects the fundraising and alumni engagement experiences and priorities across UBC Faculty of Arts DAE department, ensuring that communications with alumni and donors are aligned with their interests and the school’s key priorities.

The Manager leads donor- and alumni-specific content strategy and storytelling, including case statements, stewardship materials, and digital engagement initiatives that reflect the priorities and relationships of the DAE portfolio. In close collaboration with the ASC Communications team, the Manager contributes to shared storytelling initiatives, including web features, integrated campaigns, and faculty-wide digital engagement, ensuring that donor and alumni narratives are woven into the broader Faculty of Arts communications efforts.

The Manager is at all times expected to be cognizant of the need to liaise appropriately with our colleagues in UBC Faculty of Arts Marketing and Communications, alumni UBC and Development and Alumni Engagement’s communications teams to deliver an integrated, portfolio-wide communications offering.

Organizational Status
Reports to: Assistant Dean, DAE; Dotted-line accountability to the Director of Communications, UBC Faculty of Arts to ensure integration and coordination with UBC Faculty of Arts overall marketing and communications program.

Works with: UBC DAE, senior administrators, and other stakeholders as required. Liaises with the UBC Faculty of Arts marketing and communications team, DAE’s communication team and UBC’s central communications team as needed.

Supervises:  DAE Communications Strategist, Advancement Officer, Donor Relations and Contract writer UBC Faculty of Arts.

Work Performed

• Leads the design and development of communication materials, including letters, case statements, donor proposals, speeches and other fundraising materials for donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and deepening alumni relations through relevant, content-driven initiatives that align with UBC Faculty of Arts mission.
• Leads integrated digital storytelling initiatives with the ASC Communications team for donor and alumni audiences, including coordinated multi-channel campaigns, analytics review, and engagement reporting. Uses data to evaluate the effectiveness of donor and alumni communications, and applies findings to inform strategy, content priorities, and channel selection.
• Designs and executes one-to-one and one-to-few communication strategies specifically for the donor audience, ensuring materials resonate with their interests.
• Drives strategic direction and execution of large scale and high visibility donor communications programs; Develops and delivers complex fundraising proposals and case statements for high value donors ($250K-$10M), stewardship materials and cases for support. Drafts and develops donor communications on behalf of UBC Faculty of Arts leadership, including the Dean, focusing on fundraising proposals, impact report letters, and personalized content aimed at deepening donor relationships.
• Serves as a key liaison between UBC Faculty of Arts departments of Development and Alumni Engagement and ASC Communications. Works closely to ensure content strategies are in sync without duplicating efforts, particularly for multi-channel campaigns such as fundraising campaigns, stewardship communications, and alumni community engagement.
• Collaborates closely with the ASC Communications team to support online community building activities, including planning, strategy and implementation of a variety of campaigns and communication channels such as email marketing, social media channels, website updates, audio and video production, print pieces (ads, postcards, etc.) and online community engagement platforms.
• Liaises with and develops and maintains a coordinated relationship with ASC Communications, Central DAE communications team, and alumni UBC communications team to build out a more collaborative approach for donor and alumni engagement specific communications.
• Supervises and develops the DAE Communications Strategist providing regular coaching, constructive feedback, and professional development support. Models collaborative and accountable leadership practices that reflect the values of both the DAE and ASC Communications teams.
• Oversees a high volume of deliverables, including managing a calendar of donor and alumni engagement communications. Ensures consistency, quality, accuracy, and relevance in all produced materials.
• Prepares and manage timelines and work plans on communications projects. Ensures multiple, overlapping deadlines are met. Develops tactical plans to achieve project goals on time and on budget.
• Oversees processes, reporting and practices in support of fundraising and alumni engagement communications initiatives, and ensures standards and protocols required for best practice are met.
• Creates and manages a budget for all communications-related expenditures.
• Problem-solves any concerns regarding communications projects and ad-hoc issues as they arise.
• Performs other related duties, as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Initiatives executed by the Manager, Development Writing and Digital Engagement on behalf of the Faculty of Arts and the Development and Alumni Engagement portfolio are very public, and are critical to donor and alumni engagement efforts. The Manager is required to develop strong working relationships with faculty, staff and students. 

Errors in judgment could have far-reaching and long-term serious negative reputational, financial and public relations impacts for the university, the Faculty and partners. Information provided by this position is used in making managerial and policy decisions at a strategic and senior level. 

Poor leadership, or the lack of diplomacy, foresight or sound judgment could have a serious negative impact on the reputation of the University, its senior administrators, the portfolio, faculty and employees. It could also alienate existing and potential donors as well as jeopardize relationships with alumni, resulting in a potential loss of significant donations or critical relationships.

Supervision Received
Reports to the Assistant Dean, Development and Alumni Engagement with a dotted-line accountability to the UBC Faculty of Arts Communications Director to ensure full integration and coordination of the development and alumni communications with ASC Communications. Works independently against broad objectives.

Supervision Given
Manages DAE Communications Strategist, Advancement Officer, Donor Relations. May manage consultants and external service providers.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum six years of related experience, or communication services, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in fundraising and alumni engagement communications is preferred. Knowledge of fundraising and alumni engagement in a university environment. Experience with online alumni and community engagement is an asset.
• Ability to coordinate across organizational boundaries and motivate staff outside of their sphere of control. Must have initiative, be a self-starter, and adapt easily to changing priorities as well as the ability to manage multiple initiatives. Flexible and adaptable team player.
• Strong leadership, relationship-building and collaboration skills required in liaising with internal and external clients. Excellent coaching, consulting, and negotiating skills.
• Demonstrated experience in staff supervision, including coaching, performance feedback, and supporting the growth of direct reports.
• Proven strategic and creative thinker, innovator and problem-solver, with high attention to detail, along with skills in conflict resolution.
• Ability to conceptualize and provide strategic and integrated communications solutions in complex and unique situations and directly link and reflect the University’s fundraising missions and goals.
• Strong writing, editing and proofreading skills with an exceptional ability to generate enthusiasm and interest in readers. 
• Ability to work independently and to lead a group to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively with all levels of university personnel, including senior personnel.
• Variety of software experience (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Photoshop, InDesign, Email Marketing Systems, Customer Relationship Management Systems).
• Applies principles of inclusive and accessible communications across all donor and alumni storytelling, ensuring that materials reflect the diversity of the Arts community, centre equity in narrative choices, and meet accessibility standards for all audiences and channels.
• Experience in print and design coordination is an asset.
• Experience in creative direction is an asset.