📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Associate Director, Direct Marketing and CSU Partnership
🔹 Company: University of Texas at Austin
🔹 Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Higher Education, Nonprofit
🔹 Date Posted: April 18, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (2-5 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Strategic planning and execution of multi-channel direct marketing fundraising campaigns.
- Managing relationships with and fundraising support for campus college, school, and unit partners.
- Overseeing a team of two CSU Success Managers and mentoring their professional growth.
- Collaborating with internal teams and external vendors to ensure project timelines and quality standards are met.
- Analyzing campaign performance and utilizing data to inform future strategy.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of organization, attention to detail, and strong communication skills. The ideal candidate will have experience in annual giving or direct marketing within a nonprofit or higher education environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Oversee the execution of multi-channel fundraising direct marketing efforts and assist in the annual planning and strategy development:
- Analyze past direct marketing results and execute a direct marketing plan for 16+ college, school, and unit (CSU) partners.
- Maintain a comprehensive solicitation calendar for all direct marketing channels.
- Write and proofread copy for direct marketing projects.
- Manage and mentor a team of two CSU Success Managers.
- Work closely with internal Project Operations team and University Marketing and Communications team.
- Regularly report back on campaign performance and utilize past campaign performance to inform future strategy.
✅ Manage and build relationships with CSU (college, school and unit) partners to enhance annual giving fundraising across campus:
- Lead a team that acts as a primary contact for each of our CSU partners.
- Maintain regular meetings and communications with annual giving contacts embedded within CSUs.
- Identify and enhance unique fundraising opportunities for CSU specific audiences and priorities.
- Provide service ranging from consultation and strategy up to full execution of annual giving campaign work for CSU specific fundraising work.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong project management skills, the ability to multitask and prioritize, and excellent communication skills to effectively manage relationships with CSU partners and internal teams.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree
Experience: At least three years of professional experience in annual giving or direct marketing at a nonprofit or in a higher education advancement/development environment.
Required Skills:
- Excellent communication skills (written and verbal), organizational skills, and attention to detail.
- The proven ability to write for a variety of audiences.
- Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment and able to prioritize, manage, and organize multiple projects.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience executing multi-channel direct marketing fundraising including phone, email, direct mail, digital advertising, and/or texting.
- Experience with large-scale direct mail print production and knowledge of mass mail postal strategies.
- Direct response copywriting experience highly preferred.
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience in annual giving or direct marketing within a nonprofit or higher education environment. Familiarity with higher education fundraising best practices and university branding standards is preferred.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $74,000 + depending on qualifications
Benefits:
- Insurance
- Retirement Benefits
- Professional Development Opportunities
Working Hours: 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on the job title, location, and experience level. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's qualifications and the university's compensation structure.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Higher Education, Nonprofit
Company Size: Large (201-500 employees)
Founded: 1883
Company Description:
- The University of Texas at Austin is a public research university located in Austin, Texas.
- It is the flagship institution of the University of Texas System and is one of the largest universities in the United States, with over 50,000 students enrolled.
- The university is known for its strong research programs and has been ranked among the top 50 universities in the world.
Company Specialties:
- Research
- Education
- Healthcare
Company Website: www.utexas.edu
ASSUMPTION: The University of Texas at Austin is a large and prestigious institution with a strong focus on research and a diverse range of academic programs. It is known for its commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and public service.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-Senior Level (2-5 years)
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Executive Director of Annual Giving Programs.
Work Arrangement: This is an on-site position based in Austin, Texas. Some evening and weekend hours may be required during peak periods and special events.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to advance within the Annual Giving Programs team or explore other opportunities within the University Development Office.
- Opportunities to gain experience in managing a team and mentoring staff.
- Chance to work on high-impact fundraising campaigns and contribute to the university's overall success.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the University Development Office and the broader university community.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site office environment with some on-site field work.
Office Location(s): UT MAIN CAMPUS, Austin, Texas
Geographic Context:
- Austin, Texas, is the state capital and the 11th-most populous city in the United States.
- The city is known for its vibrant music and cultural scene, as well as its outdoor activities and natural beauty.
- The University of Texas at Austin is located in the heart of the city, offering easy access to its many amenities.
Work Schedule: This is a full-time position with a standard workweek of 40 hours. Some evening and weekend hours may be required during peak periods and special events.
ASSUMPTION: The on-site work environment at the University of Texas at Austin offers a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application review
- Phone or video screening
- On-campus or virtual interview with the hiring manager
- Final interview with the Executive Director of Annual Giving Programs
- Background check and reference check
Key Assessment Areas:
- Communication skills (written and verbal)
- Organizational skills and attention to detail
- Project management skills
- Fundraising experience and knowledge of annual giving best practices
- Cultural fit with the University of Texas at Austin and the University Development Office
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with direct marketing, fundraising, and project management.
- Demonstrate your understanding of the University of Texas at Austin's mission and values.
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, the team, and the university's fundraising goals.
ATS Keywords: Direct Marketing, Fundraising, Annual Giving, Project Management, Communication Skills, University Development, Higher Education, Nonprofit, Team Management, Data Analysis, Branding, Relationship Management, Strategic Planning, Consultation, Digital Advertising, Email Marketing, Direct Mail
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role may vary depending on the university's hiring practices and the number of applicants. It is essential to follow the application instructions carefully and tailor your application materials to the specific requirements of the role.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software (e.g., Salesforce, Ellucian)
- Direct mail software (e.g., VDP, mail merge)
- Email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact)
- Digital advertising platforms (e.g., Google Ads, Facebook Ads)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with the tools and technologies listed above is preferred, but not required. The ideal candidate will be able to quickly learn and adapt to new tools and technologies as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence
- Integrity
- Leadership
- Community
- Innovation
Work Style:
- Collaborative
- Data-driven
- Adaptable
- Results-oriented
- Customer-focused
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with the University of Texas at Austin's core values, and how have you demonstrated these values in your previous roles?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to manage multiple projects with shifting priorities? How did you prioritize and organize your workload to ensure success?
- How do you approach building and maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholders, and how have you demonstrated this skill in your previous roles?
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate a strong cultural fit with the University of Texas at Austin and the University Development Office, with a commitment to the university's core values and a passion for its mission.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects with tight deadlines and shifting priorities.
- Balancing the needs and priorities of various CSU partners.
- Working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with a high volume of communication.
- Adapting to changes in university policies, procedures, and priorities.
- Managing a team and mentoring staff while also overseeing the execution of direct marketing campaigns.
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be able to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and effectively manage multiple projects and priorities.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on direct marketing and CSU partnership management within a higher education setting.
- Compared to similar roles in the nonprofit sector, this role offers the opportunity to work within a large, prestigious university with a strong research focus and a diverse range of academic programs.
- Career paths for this role may include advancement within the University Development Office or exploration of other opportunities within the university or the broader higher education sector.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of direct marketing, fundraising, and partnership management experience within a higher education environment. It is an excellent opportunity for candidates looking to gain experience in a dynamic, fast-paced setting and contribute to the success of a large, prestigious institution.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a multi-channel direct marketing campaign for a CSU partner, including email, direct mail, and digital advertising components.
- Managing a team of two CSU Success Managers to execute a series of fundraising events for multiple CSU partners.
- Collaborating with internal teams and external vendors to produce a large-scale direct mail campaign for a university-wide fundraising initiative.
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience working on similar projects and be able to demonstrate their ability to manage multiple projects, meet tight deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the university's current fundraising priorities and how this role contributes to their success?
- How does the University Development Office support the university's overall mission and strategic plan?
- What are the key challenges and opportunities facing the Annual Giving Programs team in the coming year?
- How does the University of Texas at Austin approach diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring and employment practices?
- What opportunities are there for professional growth and development within the University Development Office and the broader university community?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, informed questions demonstrates your interest in the role and the university, and shows that you have done your research.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Prepare a list of three professional references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor.
- Review the job description and application questions carefully, and ensure that you have addressed all required materials.
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
