Boston University Advancement

Boston University Advancement is at a pivotal moment, guided by new leadership and a clear strategic framework for growth and impact. Our work is organized around three core priorities: securing $500 million in philanthropy annually; deepening relationships with a strategically defined segment of alumni and donors; and strengthening the organizational foundation while launching focused priority areas across the University.

Advancement is evolving into a highly collaborative, matrixed model that integrates new University leadership, regional engagement, and the distinctive strengths of BU’s schools and colleges. With more than 250 advancement professionals, the organization is building the capacity, partnerships, and culture required to deliver sustained philanthropic momentum and institutional impact.

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Associate Director, Internal Communications

Reporting to the Managing Director of Strategic Communications, the Associate Director of Internal Communications is a key member of the Strategic Communications team within Boston University Advancement. This role is ideal for a communications professional who enjoys both the structure of project management and the creativity of storytelling—someone who can turn organizational priorities into clear, engaging, and consistent communications delivered across multiple channels.

The Associate Director will lead the development and execution of Advancement's internal communications program, helping shape how information, strategy, and culture are shared across the division. Working closely with the Managing Director and collaborating with colleagues throughout Advancement, this individual will manage the internal communications calendar, create content for the division’s Staff Hub and division-wide newsletter, and support executive communications that reinforce the Senior Vice President's vision and priorities. Through thoughtful planning and compelling messaging, they will help foster transparency, alignment, and engagement among staff.

The ideal candidate brings experience developing internal communications strategies and managing content across multiple platforms in a dynamic, collaborative environment. They are equally comfortable writing executive messages, producing digital content, managing editorial calendars, and coordinating communications workflows. Experience in higher education or advancement is welcomed but not required; candidates with strong internal communications experience from other industries and a demonstrated ability to learn new organizations and audiences are encouraged to apply.

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Position Responsibilities:

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Internal Communication Strategy and Program Development (30%)

• Partner with the Managing Director to develop, implement, and continuously evolve Advancement's internal communications strategy and program, creating a framework that promotes timely, transparent, and engaging communication across the division.
• Develop and maintain a strategic communications calendar and editorial governance standards that ensure consistent voice, tone, and messaging across internal channels and audiences.
• Monitor emerging tools, platforms, and best practices in internal communications and digital engagement, recommending enhancements that improve reach, effectiveness, consistency, and the overall staff experience.
• Develop and maintain reusable messaging frameworks, templates, editorial standards, and communications resources that improve efficiency, consistency, and quality across internal communications.
• Measure the effectiveness of internal communications through analytics, staff feedback, and engagement metrics, using insights to continuously improve communication strategies and channel performance.

Content Strategy and Channel Management (40%)

• Lead the planning, development, and management of internal communications content, including conceptualizing, writing, editing, approving, and publishing communications for a variety of audiences and channels, from division-wide announcements to team-specific updates. ****
• Lead content strategy and day-to-day management of the Staff Hub (Advancement's internal digital platform), convening section owners, monitoring analytics, and continuously improving content quality, structure, usability, and engagement. ****
• **** Create, manage, and continuously enhance a recurring internal newsletter (or similar editorial publication) that keeps Advancement staff informed about division priorities, organizational updates, achievements, and community highlights.
• Draft and refine staff-facing materials supporting All Hands meetings and other division-wide communications—including presentations, remarks, talking points, FAQs, and supporting materials—in partnership with the Managing Director.
• Support the Managing Director in communicating the Senior Vice President's strategic vision, priorities, and key messages across staff-facing channels, ensuring messaging is timely, clear, consistent, and aligned across communications while maintaining an organized repository of executive communications materials.
• Partner with teams across Advancement—including service-oriented functions such as People & Culture and Applications Enablement—to communicate initiatives, processes, resources, and organizational updates through effective messaging, appropriate communication channels, editorial support, and coordinated communications planning.
• Develop communication strategies that help staff understand and navigate organizational initiatives, operational changes, and new programs, supporting clarity, transparency, and engagement during periods of change.

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Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement (20%)

• Build trusted partnerships across Advancement to understand evolving communication needs, gather feedback, and ensure messaging reflects the priorities and perspectives of diverse teams and audiences.
• Serve as a strategic communications partner to Advancement teams, helping leaders effectively communicate priorities, progress, and organizational updates while identifying opportunities to strengthen staff engagement and understanding.
• Collaborate with the Managing Director to ensure Advancement's internal communications align with and reinforce University-wide messaging during institutional initiatives, organizational changes, and transition periods.

Crisis and Incident Communications (10%)

• In partnership with the Managing Director, support the execution of Advancement's internal crisis and incident communications protocols, ensuring accurate and consistent messaging during breaking news situations, University emergencies, and organizational changes.
• Translate University-level guidance and crisis communications into clear, audience-appropriate messaging for Advancement staff, coordinating timely distribution across internal communication channels.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Required Skills

QUALIFICATIONS

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Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience required.
• A minimum of three years of professional experience in internal communications, corporate communications, employee communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or a related field.
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging, and audience-appropriate communications
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, competing priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience developing and managing communications across digital platforms and content management systems.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with colleagues and stakeholders across an organization.
• Ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment, discretion, and a proactive, solutions-oriented approach.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing or managing internal communications within a complex organization, such as higher education, advancement, healthcare, nonprofit, government, or corporate environments.
• Experience supporting executive communications, including presentations, talking points, speeches, or leadership messaging.
• Familiarity with staff intranet platforms, digital newsletters, content management systems, and communications analytics.
• Experience with WordPress or other website/content management platforms.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications.
• Master's degree

But that’s not all we’re looking for; we want someone who embodies our values:

• Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect , because we value every member’s contributions and know that leadership can come from anywhere.
• Diversity, equity, inclusion , and a commitment to ensuring that each of us knows we belong here.
• Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.
• Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh approaches and measurable results.
• Continuous growth and improvement , both as individuals and as a team.
• Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals that matter.

To apply and learn more about Advancement at Boston University and other job opportunities, please stop by the Advancement Talent website: https://www.bu.edu/advancement-talent/.

We recognize that no candidate brings every experience or qualification to a role. If you're excited about this opportunity and believe your skills and experiences could contribute to our team, we encourage you to apply, even if your background doesn't align perfectly with every qualification listed. We value diverse perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking, and we're committed to building a team where everyone can thrive.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural, protective, or culturally significant hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

If you require reasonable accommodation in order to complete the employment application process, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 617-358-1796.

Required Experience

QUALIFICATIONS

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Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience required.
• A minimum of three years of professional experience in internal communications, corporate communications, employee communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or a related field.
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging, and audience-appropriate communications
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, competing priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience developing and managing communications across digital platforms and content management systems.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with colleagues and stakeholders across an organization.
• Ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment, discretion, and a proactive, solutions-oriented approach.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing or managing internal communications within a complex organization, such as higher education, advancement, healthcare, nonprofit, government, or corporate environments.
• Experience supporting executive communications, including presentations, talking points, speeches, or leadership messaging.
• Familiarity with staff intranet platforms, digital newsletters, content management systems, and communications analytics.
• Experience with WordPress or other website/content management platforms.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications.
• Master's degree

But that’s not all we’re looking for; we want someone who embodies our values:

• Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect , because we value every member’s contributions and know that leadership can come from anywhere.
• Diversity, equity, inclusion , and a commitment to ensuring that each of us knows we belong here.
• Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.
• Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh approaches and measurable results.
• Continuous growth and improvement , both as individuals and as a team.
• Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals that matter.

To apply and learn more about Advancement at Boston University and other job opportunities, please stop by the Advancement Talent website: https://www.bu.edu/advancement-talent/.

We recognize that no candidate brings every experience or qualification to a role. If you're excited about this opportunity and believe your skills and experiences could contribute to our team, we encourage you to apply, even if your background doesn't align perfectly with every qualification listed. We value diverse perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking, and we're committed to building a team where everyone can thrive.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural, protective, or culturally significant hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

If you require reasonable accommodation in order to complete the employment application process, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 617-358-1796.