Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425‐acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

Who We Are: 

We are a team of dedicated relationship builders with a shared mission of connecting, engaging, and supporting Swarthmore College alumni and families. As part of the Advancement division, we believe in the power of positive energy, purpose-driven work, and collective momentum to drive meaningful engagement.

We are all moving forward with enthusiasm, optimism, and a commitment to creating lasting impact. Together, we strengthen and expand meaningful connections with Swarthmore alumni and families, ensuring they feel valued, inspired, and forever part of this community.

We are committed to:

• Fueling our work with purpose – Our mission is rooted in strengthening relationships and fostering a lifelong connection to Swarthmore.
• Creating meaningful connections – We prioritize engagement that is personal, relevant, and lasting.
• Driving with positivity – We approach challenges with optimism and a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Inviting others on the journey – We cultivate an inclusive, collaborative environment where alumni, families, and colleagues feel welcomed and valued.
• Steering toward impact – Every program, initiative, and interaction is an opportunity to build engagement, inspire generosity, and advance Swarthmore’s mission.

The opportunity: 

Swarthmore College’s Advancement Team is seeking an innovative and detail-oriented Assistant Director, Alumni Email and Social Media to enhance alumni engagement through strategic email communications and social media initiatives. This individual will be responsible for building and sending all engagement emails (including event promotions, newsletters, stewardship, and general communications, but excluding fundraising emails) using the Advancement Division's CRM, Slate. Additionally, they will manage and maintain new alumni social media accounts on Instagram and LinkedIn, scheduling content, facilitating engagement, and ensuring a dynamic and responsive online presence in collaboration with the Associate Director, Marketing.

This position serves as a strategic partner to members of the engagement teams, collaborating with them to develop communications plans that incorporate both email and social media elements to support their initiatives and goals.

Essential Responsibilities 

Email Marketing

• Develop, build, test, and deploy a variety of engagement email campaigns using Slate CRM, ensuring alignment with Swarthmore's brand guidelines and best practices.
• Collaborate with the Alumni and Family Communities team, College Communications, Swarthmore Fund Leadership Giving, and other members of the Advancement team to create targeted email content that drives engagement.
• Utilize HTML to customize and optimize email templates for enhanced performance and user experience.
• Analyze email campaign performance metrics and provide insights to inform future strategies.
• Maintain and manage email distribution lists, ensuring data accuracy and segmentation.

Social Media 

• In collaboration with the Associate Director, Marketing, schedule and post content, create select materials, and monitor engagement to strengthen alumni connection through Instagram and LinkedIn.
• Facilitate conversations, respond to inquiries, and identify opportunities for user-generated content and community storytelling.

Who you are: 

• Ability to analyze email data and provide actionable insights.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with a keen eye for detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams while independently managing multiple projects and deadlines.
• Ability to develop innovative content ideas and storytelling approaches to captivate alumni audiences.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, timelines, and priorities effectively.
• Skilled at interpreting data, identifying trends, and making data-driven decisions to enhance engagement strategies.
• Ensure consistent messaging and visual identity across all email and social media communications.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment and adjust strategies based on evolving priorities and audience needs.
• Strong interpersonal skills to engage and collaborate with internal stakeholders and alumni audiences.
• Ability to align email and social media strategies with larger institutional goals and engagement priorities.

What you bring: 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with at least three years of job-related experience or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Familiarity with graphic design tools such as Canva or Adobe Creative Suite.
• Proficiency in HTML and email marketing platforms.
• Valid US driver’s license and ability to travel locally, regionally, and nationally.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education or nonprofit communications.
• Experience in working with Slate CRM.

Physical Demands

• Ability to focus in a stationary position for extended periods. 
• Documents may occasionally be stored in physical form and require positioning oneself to access file cabinets, remove files, and transport them.

Working Conditions

• This position follows a hybrid work model, with the flexibility to work remotely and on campus as determined by the VP of Advancement. 
• Occasional evening and weekend hours may be necessary to support key events and campaigns.

What You Will Get:

You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.

We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration, submit applications with an uploaded resume, including a cover letter, by March 17, 2025. Applications received after this date may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the job has been filled. A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position. If you have experience that meets any of the preferred qualifications, please include a detailed explanation of any such experience in your cover letter and how it meets the preferred qualification(s).

PA Criminal Required

Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.

Education Verification Required by Position

An education verification is required for this position because a college degree is a required qualification for this position.

Preview our Benefits Flyer. We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.

2025 Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook

Retirement Plans

Tuition Grant Program

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Paid Time Off (Staff)

Holiday Schedule

Swarthmore College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.