University of South Carolina is hiring a Director of Creative Services and Data Strategies. This role involves managing creative services, data analysis, and digital strategy for annual giving and donor experience programs. The Director drives fundraising success by developing data-driven marketing strategies and collaborates with university teams to optimize systems and user experiences.
Highlights
Manage creative services, data, market analysis, and digital optimization for annual giving and donor programs.
Develop and implement data-driven marketing strategies, segmentation, and prospecting to support fundraising goals.
Oversee digital fundraising campaigns including paid advertising, SEO, email marketing automation, and text messaging.
Utilize Blackbaud CRM, Blackbaud Internet Solutions, Blackbaud DonorCentrics, Google Analytics, Meta Marketing Services, and JIRA project management tools.
Provide detailed qualitative and quantitative reporting on campaign and marketing performance.
Requires a bachelor's degree and 5+ years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Preferred experience in higher education fundraising, prospect analysis, and familiarity with industry ethical standards from APRA, AFP, and CASE.
Collaborate with Advancement Services, University Marketing, and external vendors to optimize donor engagement and creative outputs.
Salary range is $84,820 to $108,146 with benefits including health insurance, retirement, paid leave, tuition assistance, and professional development.
Position classified as Managerial (M3), full-time, 12-month basis with a standard 8:30am – 5:00pm schedule.
Director of Creative Services and Data Strategies Full Description
Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
We are only accepting applications submitted by September 14, 2026.
The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:
Health and Life Insurance
Retirement Programs
Paid Tuition
Dependent Scholarships
Annual Leave
Sick Leave
13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
Paid Parental Leave
Professional Development Opportunities
Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.
Posting Details
Posting Summary
Logo | Posting Number | STA00598PO26 Job Family | Communications and Marketing Job Function | Marketing USC Market Title | Director of Marketing and Communication Link to USC Market Title | https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/132426 Job Level | M3 - Managerial Business Title (Internal Title) | Director of Creative Services and Data Strategies Campus | Columbia Work County | Richland College/Division | Division of Development Department | DEV Annual Giving State Pay Range | G12 USC Market Range | MRK - $84,820 $108,146 $131,471 Anticipated Hiring Range | $84,820 - commensurate with qualifications Location of Vacancy | Columbia, SC **on-site** Part/Full Time | Full Time Hours per Week | 37.5 Work Schedule | Standard working schedule: 8:30am – 5:00pm Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
Basis | 12 months Job Search Category | Communication Services
About USC
About University of South Carolina | From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond. Veterans' Preference Statement | The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.
Benefits for FTE Positions The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.
Position Description
Advertised Job Summary | Under limited supervision, reporting to the Executive Director of Annual Giving and Donor Experience (Executive Director), the Director of Creative Services and Data Strategies (Director) is responsible for managing creative services, data and market analysis, and digital strategy and optimization for the annual giving and donor experience programs (AGDE). The Director will collaborate with the Annual Giving Programs and Unit Strategy team and the Donor Experience program to ensure fundraising success by developing and implementing data-driven strategies, processes, and systems to streamline, optimize and enhance their respective marketing approaches. The Director will utilize Blackbaud CRM, Blackbaud Internet Solutions, Blackbaud DonorCentrics, and other analytics tools, such as Google Analytics and Meta Marketing Services, to ensure that strategies are data-driven, personalized, relevant, timely, and consistent with the goals set forth within the AGDE department. The Director will work closely with Advancement Services and University Marketing team to understand the data needs in the organization, utilize system functionalities and perform continuous user experience (UX) improvement. Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience | Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 5 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience. Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials | Preferred Qualifications | Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of experience in Creative Services, Advancement Services, Prospect Analysis, Market Analysis, Alumni Development, Annual Giving, or Higher Education Fundraising Operations. The ability to translate creative, operational, and technical needs into complete and deliverable solutions to ensure preferred fundraising and marketing outcomes. Previous experience with Blackbaud CRM or other higher education and/or nonprofit donor system. Experience in audience segmentation, prospect strategies, and UX and optimization. Experience with project management tools, like JIRA. Knowledge/Skills/Abilities | Comprehensive knowledge of principles and methods of planning and conducting a comprehensive integrated and omnichannel marketing fundraising program. Strong knowledge of predictive analytics and metrics to include effective mass solicitation and communication strategies. Ability to manage complex projects while also managing relationships with colleagues and supervising staff. Understands best industry practices as it relates to UX, design and content optimization, and analytics tools for fundraising success. Utilize quantitative and qualitative information to improve decision-making and outcomes and document results. Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with staff, faculty, alumni, donors, students, volunteers, businesses, external vendors, and the general public. Work with a high degree of flexibility in a highly collaborative, fast-paced, goal-oriented environment. Apply creative and entrepreneurial thinking while applying sound judgment and conducting oneself with integrity. Outstanding oral, written, and interpersonal communications skills. Ability to adhere to industry guidelines, methodologies and code of ethics statements as defined by the Association for Professional Researchers in Advancement (APRA), the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and other professional organizations and associations.
Job Duties
Job Duty | Develop and implement an annual plan and comprehensive strategy to support the goals of AGDE and the priorities of the university and its colleges and units with data-driven creative design, optimization, market analysis and reporting, data quality assurance and strategic segmentation and prospecting. Develop and implement strategies, processes, and systems to utilize data from University systems and platforms to inform outreach strategies to alumni, donors, and prospects. Recommend and implement strategic business decisions based on the results of prior fundraising and engagement results. Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 20%Job Duty | Provide oversight, management and execution of all digital fundraising strategies, including paid digital advertising, online giving forms, search engine optimization, text messaging, and email marketing automation. Ensure policy, best practices, and quality standards are employed by analyzing the effectiveness of digital fundraising campaigns and digital presence against organizational and industry benchmarks. Monitor outcomes, performance measurement of campaigns, website metrics, and drive improvements. In collaboration with relevant university partners, implement an effective SEO strategy to increase visibility and comprehension of the online giving forms. Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 20%Job Duty | In collaboration with other AGDE team members, provide management and oversight of all creatives services, including multi-media design of print and digital media to improve and enhance UX and donor conversion rates. Negotiate contracts with external vendors, including direct mail and printing houses. Manage vendors to produce highly segmented, customized direct mail appeals with complex variables. Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 20%Job Duty | Manage and implement segmentation and prospecting strategies for all AGLG programs and initiatives, including but not limited to direct mail, email marketing, texting, digital, and donor experience cadences. Develop and recommend acquisition and retention strategies to identify potential new donors and activity participants based on the profiles of those who are currently engaged. Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 20%Job Duty | Provides timely qualitative and quantitative reports of solicitation campaign performance and marketing metrics and analytics for the Annual Giving and Donor Experience team, the schools and units, and other partners as needed. Build a portfolio of best practices and emerging marketing trends to enhance solicitation practices based on national/regional data and donor trends to achieve fundraising goals. Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 15%Job Duty | Performs other duties as required or assigned. Essential Function | No Percentage of Time | 5%
Position Attributes Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.
Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive | No Hazardous weather category | Non-Essential
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies | 1 Desired Start Date | 10/16/2026 Job Open Date | 08/10/2026 Job Close Date | 09/14/2026 Open Until Filled | No Special Instructions to Applicant | Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
We are only accepting applications submitted by September 14, 2026.
The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to: Health and Life Insurance Retirement Programs Paid Tuition Dependent Scholarships Annual Leave Sick Leave 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday) Paid Parental Leave Professional Development Opportunities Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC. Quicklink for Posting | https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/211256 EEO Statement | The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* Do you have at least a bachelor's degree in a job related field and 5 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience?
Yes
No
* If so, please tell us how you qualify? (Open Ended Question)
* Are you willing to travel to conferences as part of continual educational development and professional growth?
Yes
No
no response
* Do you have a reliable means of transportation?
Yes
No
* Although we accept resumes for review, the application is the official hiring document maintained by the university. Offers of employment and starting salaries are based on the education and work experience (including beginning and end dates) included in the university application only, not your resume. Have you included all details for all education, volunteer and work experiences in your job application?
Yes
No
No Answer
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Cover Letter
Resume
List of References and Contact Information
Optional Documents
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