Digital Communications Specialist

About the University of Hawai’i Foundation:

The University of Hawaiʻi (UH) Foundation was established in 1955 to encourage private support for the UH. Today it is the central fundraising organization for the UH System and is contracted by the Board of Regents to be the sole provider of fundraising and alumni services. In addition to fundraising, the Foundation manages more than 7000 gift accounts for the benefit of the university and its students.

The UH Foundation is a private, institutionally related corporation designated as a 501(c)(3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service. It is a legally separate entity from the UH, the UH Alumni Association, and all other UH affiliates. However, the UH Foundation works closely with these organizations, as well as with others in the community, exclusively for the benefit of the university.

Our Vision

To inspire giving and partnership with the UH by fostering UH pride and passion among donors, alumni and the community.

Our Mission

To unite donors' passions with the UH's aspirations by raising philanthropic support and managing private investments to benefit UH, the people of Hawaiʻi and our future generations.

Our Values

Our values shape our relationships and guide our thinking and actions. By living our values, we build trust with our fellow employees, our donors, the university and the broader community.

Position Summary:

The Digital Communications Specialist delivers digital content that connects donors, alumni and the community with the impact of giving to UH. Working with the Communications and Marketing team and partners across the UH Foundation and UH, the specialist manages day-to-day content publishing and coordinates with IT and technical partners on website functionality.

The Digital Communications Specialist is responsible for UH Foundation external websites (uhfoundation.org and uhalumni.org) content updates, web content audits, and design.

The Digital Communications Specialist also produces email communications that support donor stewardship and manages UH Foundation’s social media content, creating platform-specific stories that make philanthropic impact visible and invite deeper connection with UH.

Reports to:

Associate Vice President of Communications & External Relations

Duties & Responsibilities:

Site Design

• Maintain UH Foundation websites ensuring they are functional, appealing, mobile responsive and user friendly.
• Process content and images for the UH Foundation websites (uhfoundation.org and uhalumni.org); design engaging layouts and homepages that appeal to target audiences and reflect the organizational brand.
• Develop, manage and process web-based content, including webforms, mini-sites and other collateral in support of UH Foundation events, donor stewardship, student scholarships and other departmental needs.
• Assist communications team in refining content strategy, website structure, and navigation.
• Ensure editorial integrity and accuracy for all online content by identifying and fixing mistakes, proof, edit, and craft online content in partnership with team members.

Website Maintenance & Analytics

• Assist UH Foundation Technology Services in the configuration and implementation of new website features.
• Develop and implement procedures for ongoing website review and revision.
• Create and manage an annual website content audit process.
• Develop, track, analyze and generate reports on site usage, web marketing campaigns, website performance and other metrics to inform website changes and improve the user experience

UX

• Gather, analyze and document user feedback to identify and address areas of poor usability and/or user experience.
• Stay abreast of industry best practices and trends for the web.
• Ensure ADA and website compliance with accessibility regulations.
• Ensure website features are cross-browser compatible.

Email Marketing

• Manage the email production for signature UH Foundation donor communications. This includes scheduling, content collection, review and approvals.
• Develop and deliver donor-centric email marketing communications (newsletters, announcements, publications, etc.) as needed.
• Coordinate audience selection with data partners and follow established consent, unsubscribe and data-handling procedures.
• Provide template training and production support to UH Foundation colleagues and UH partners, working closely with the associate director of alumni relations – communications.

Social Media Content and Community Engagement

• Manage day-to-day content planning and publishing for the UH Foundation’s Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn channels.
• Adapt donor stories, news releases and existing videos into platform-specific posts.
• Capture photos and video in coordination with colleagues and campus partners, to create short-form social media content.
• Develop recurring content series that show e.g., scholarship impact through individual experiences, explain the gift behind a research breakthrough, or connect donor support to a visible change.
• Create ready-to-share content packages with subtle philanthropy messaging for UH Mānoa, UH System and alumni communications partners.
• Build active communities by monitoring comments, messages and mentions; responding to routine questions; and inviting conversation and participation. Engage with relevant campus and community content, route donor inquiries appropriately, and escalate sensitive issues to communications leadership.
• Use social storytelling to introduce prospective donors to meaningful opportunities to give and raise visibility for UH programs.
• Coordinate content that supports employee recruitment, community partnerships and connections with funders.
• Establish platform-specific baselines and maintain a dashboard tracking audience growth, reach, meaningful engagement and link clicks. Track completed actions where available, distinguish paid from organic results, and test formats, posting times and calls to action against organizational goals.

Perform other duties and activities in support of UH Foundation’s mission as assigned.

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or 2 - 5 years of equivalent work experience.
• Experience in web and UX design and layout.
• Working knowledge and experience with Google Analytics.
• Proficiency in HTML, CSS, responsive frameworks, JavaScript, Drupal (or other CMS platforms),and HTML5.
• Experience with the Adobe Creative Suite
• Must have familiarity with ADA compliance, web accessibility standards and search engine optimization strategies.
• Must have knowledge of cross-browser compatibility issues and experience in addressing these issues.
• Must have experience working with email marketing platforms. Experience with MailChimp a plus.
• Must have strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously and have the proven ability to effectively prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Must pass a background check upon offer of employment.

Essential Functions:

• Ability to sit at a desk and use a computer for extended periods of time.
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting of light office items up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to operate general office equipment such as computer, printer, photocopier, scanner, phone system, etc.
• Hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity to use office equipment and handle paperwork.
• Visual acuity to read printed and electronic documents and computer screens.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing so others will understand.
• Hearing and speaking abilities for in-person, phone, and video conversations.

Benefits:

UH Foundation voluntarily pays 100% of the following

• 10% 403(b) contributions after 7 months of employment. This is automatic and NOT dependent on the employee making any contributions. PLUS, ALL contributions are 100% immediately vested!
• Term life insurance
• AD&D insurance
• Short term disability insurance
• Long term disability insurance
• Tuition reimbursement after 1 year of employment
• Employee assistance program
• Generous PTO and paid holidays

UH Foundation voluntarily provides the following in which the company and employees share the cost

• Health, Prescription, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Free parking after 5 years of service

Other benefits available for employees to purchase

• Medical Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Insurance coverages for spouse and/or children
• Critical care insurance
• Legal insurance
• Pet insurance