Program Director, Advancement Communications

About the role

The Office of Advancement Communications (OAC) at the University of Maryland seeks a Program Director to lead the development and execution of marketing and communications strategies that support fundraising and engagement initiatives. This senior position works closely with University Relations leadership, the Forward campaign team, and multiple campus partners to ensure cohesive messaging across advancement audiences.

Key responsibilities

• Design and produce marketing and communications assets that enable day‑to‑day advancement activities.
• Lead the implementation, governance, and ongoing optimization of Salesforce Marketing Cloud (SFMC) as a centralized communication platform.
• Develop data extensions, segmentation, automations, journeys, roles, permissions, integrations, deliverability, and reporting within SFMC.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders—including OMC, alumni relations, donor relations, athletics, and campus units—to align communication strategies with the Forward campaign and broader university goals.
• Partner with the Assistant Vice President for Strategic Outreach to create unified messaging architecture and coordinated content workflows.
• Facilitate cross‑functional workshops and convene subject‑matter experts to streamline campaign content creation, donor storytelling, and volunteer engagement.

Required profile

• Significant experience in communications, marketing, or advancement within higher education or nonprofit environments.
• Proven ability to consult and collaborate with diverse internal partners.
• Demonstrated success leading large‑scale Salesforce Marketing Cloud or similar marketing‑automation projects.
• Strong understanding of fundraising, donor engagement, and campaign strategy.

Required skills

• Salesforce Marketing Cloud
• Salesforce CRM